A Simple Feeding Guide for Healthy Rabbits
There’s a quiet kind of joy in caring for rabbits.
The gentle crunch of hay at sunrise.
The happy little zoomies around the yard at dusk.
The soft rhythm of daily feeding routines that soon become part of home on the range.
But while rabbits may seem easy to feed, their digestive systems are actually incredibly specialised, and getting their nutrition right plays a huge role in their long-term health and wellbeing.
One of the most common misconceptions among new rabbit owners is that pellets should form the bulk of the diet.
In reality, healthy rabbits need a feeding routine built around fibre-rich hay, supported by balanced pellets, fresh greens, and clean water every single day.
Because when it comes to rabbits, healthy digestion starts with fibre.
Hay Should Always Be the Main Food Source
Hay is the foundation of a healthy rabbit diet.
In fact, hay should make up around 80–90% of what your rabbit eats daily.
Why is hay so important?
Because rabbits are natural grazers whose digestive systems are designed for constant fibre intake.
Good-quality hay helps support:
- Healthy digestion
- Natural gut movement
- Dental wear
- Mental enrichment
- Normal chewing behaviour
Without enough fibre, rabbits can experience digestive upset, poor appetite, dental issues, and reduced gut movement.
Your furry VIPs should always have unlimited access to fresh hay throughout the day and night.
Are Pellets Important for Rabbits?
Pellets can play a valuable supporting role in a rabbit’s diet, but they should complement hay, not replace it.
A small measured portion of quality rabbit pellets each day can provide balanced nutrition alongside hay and fresh greens.
Overfeeding pellets can sometimes lead to:
- Reduced hay intake
- Weight gain
- Selective feeding
- Digestive imbalance
At Aus Organic Feeds, our rabbit pellets are carefully batch-crafted to support healthy digestion, natural vitality, and lifestage-specific nutrition.
Made with premium ingredients where possible, our formulations are designed to:
- Support gentle digestive health
- Encourage healthy teeth and coat condition
- Provide balanced everyday nutrition
- Complement a hay-first feeding approach
Because the best rabbit food works with your rabbit’s natural instincts, not against them.
Fresh Greens Add Variety & Enrichment
Fresh greens are an important part of a balanced rabbit diet and can provide enrichment, hydration, and variety.
Suitable daily greens may include:
- Cos lettuce
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Bok choy
- Mint
- Small amounts of carrot tops
As with all dietary changes, new foods should be introduced gradually.
Too many sugary vegetables or sudden diet changes can upset delicate digestive systems.
Like many things in caring for animals well, consistency matters.
Fresh Water Every Day
Fresh, clean water should always be available.
Some rabbits prefer bowls, while others use drink bottles, many owners choose to provide both.
Water intake plays an important role in healthy digestion and gut movement, especially during warmer weather.
Why Rabbit Digestion Is So Unique
Rabbits have one of the most fascinating digestive systems in the animal kingdom.
They are hindgut fermenters, meaning they ferment fibre deep within a specialised part of the digestive tract called the cecum.
This process allows rabbits to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material that many other animals can’t properly digest.
Because of this, fibre isn’t just “good” for rabbits – it’s absolutely essential.
A fibre-rich diet helps support:
- Healthy gut movement
- Balanced digestion
- Dropping consistency
- Natural behaviour
- Overall wellbeing
At Aus Organic Feeds, our formulations are carefully crafted with an optimum level of Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) to support natural digestive function and healthy gut movement.
Because healthy digestion begins with respecting how rabbits are naturally designed to eat.