How Much Hay Should a Rabbit Eat?
Wondering how much hay should a rabbit eat? This free rabbit diet calculator takes your rabbit's weight and life stage and applies the standard feeding rules used by rabbit veterinarians — unlimited grass hay, measured pellets, daily leafy greens, and limited treats — so you can feed a balanced diet every day.
Enter your rabbit's details
Daily feeding plan
| Pellets per day | — |
|---|---|
| Fresh leafy greens per day | — |
| Treat limit (fruit) | — |
| Pellets per week (shopping estimate) | — |
| Diet note | — |
Guideline estimates based on standard rabbit feeding rules — not a substitute for veterinary advice.
How to use this calculator
Enter your rabbit's weight in pounds and choose their life stage: baby (under 7 months), adult, or senior (6+ years). The feeding plan updates instantly. Weigh your rabbit on a kitchen scale for the most accurate portion sizes.
How it works
This calculator applies four standard rabbit feeding rules. Each rule is a guideline estimate, not a veterinary prescription — if your rabbit has health issues, ask your vet:
1. Hay — unlimited. Grass hay such as timothy, orchard, or oat hay should make up about 80% of the diet and be available at all times. There is no measured daily amount: keep the hay rack full, because constant chewing keeps teeth worn and digestion moving.
2. Pellets — 1/4 cup per day per 5 lb of body weight. Pellets = weight ÷ 5 × 0.25 cups per day, using plain timothy-based pellets for adults. Example: a 5 lb adult rabbit gets 1/4 cup of pellets per day (5 ÷ 5 × 0.25 = 0.25 cups). A 10 lb rabbit gets 1/2 cup. Measure with a real measuring cup.
3. Fresh leafy greens — about 1 cup per 2 lb of body weight per day. Greens = weight ÷ 2 cups per day, so a 5 lb rabbit gets about 2.5 cups. Offer dark leafy greens such as romaine, cilantro, parsley, and bok choy. Introduce new greens one at a time over a few days, and skip iceberg lettuce, onions, and garlic.
4. Treats (fruit) — max 1–2 tablespoons per day. Treats are not a staple: a few small pieces of fruit such as apple, banana, or berries are enough. Sugary mixes and yogurt drops are unnecessary and can upset digestion.
Baby rabbits: bunnies under 7 months can have unlimited alfalfa hay and unlimited alfalfa-based pellets while they are growing. Switch to timothy hay and measured timothy pellets gradually as they approach 7 months. The calculator uses the adult portion formula for babies too, as a minimum, since unlimited pellets are the rule.
Senior rabbits (6+ years): portions follow the same adult rules, but watch weight more closely — some seniors lose weight and need extra pellets, while others gain. Fresh water must always be available, and hay should stay unlimited at every life stage.
Frequently asked questions
How much hay should a rabbit eat per day?
There is no maximum: a rabbit should have unlimited access to grass hay such as timothy, orchard, or oat hay at all times. Hay should make up about 80% of the diet, so keep the rack full and refill it freely — most rabbits eat roughly a bundle the size of their own body every day.
How many pellets should I feed my rabbit?
Feed about 1/4 cup of plain timothy-based pellets per day for every 5 lb of body weight — so a 5 lb adult rabbit gets 1/4 cup daily, and a 10 lb rabbit gets 1/2 cup. Measure with a real measuring cup rather than guessing, and cut back on pellets if your rabbit is overweight while keeping the hay unlimited.
Can rabbits eat vegetables every day?
Yes — fresh leafy greens should be offered every day, at roughly 1 cup per 2 lb of body weight. Introduce new greens one at a time and watch for soft droppings. Stick mainly to dark leafy greens such as romaine, cilantro, and parsley, and avoid iceberg lettuce, onions, and garlic.
What foods are toxic to rabbits?
Common toxic foods include chocolate, onion, garlic, leeks, and chives, plus many houseplants and wild plants. Potato, rhubarb leaves, and large amounts of seeds or nuts are also unsafe. Fruit is fine but only as a small occasional treat — sugary mixes and yogurt drops are not needed and can upset digestion.