Calculate the right daily food amounts for your rabbit. Unlimited hay plus 1/4 cup pellets per 5 lbs and 1 cup greens per 2 lbs.
A rabbit's diet should consist primarily of unlimited grass hay (80%+), supplemented with measured portions of pellets and fresh leafy greens. The correct amount of pellets is approximately 1/4 cup per 5 pounds of body weight, while fresh greens should be offered at about 1 packed cup per 2 pounds of body weight daily.
Timothy hay (or orchard grass, meadow hay) is the foundation of a healthy rabbit diet, providing essential fiber for proper gut motility and dental wear. Without sufficient hay, rabbits develop GI stasis — a potentially fatal condition where the digestive system slows or stops. Pellets provide concentrated nutrition but should be limited to prevent obesity.
This calculator takes your rabbit's weight and provides specific daily amounts for pellets and fresh greens. Hay should always be available in unlimited quantities — a rabbit should eat a body-sized pile of hay every day.
Responsible pet owners, breeders, and veterinary professionals benefit from accurate rabbit food amount data when making care decisions, budgeting for expenses, or monitoring health benchmarks. Revisit this tool whenever your pet's needs, weight, or age changes to keep recommendations current.
Improper feeding is the leading cause of health problems in pet rabbits. Too many pellets lead to obesity and dental disease, while insufficient greens cause nutrient deficiencies. This calculator provides vet-recommended portions so you can confidently build a balanced rabbit diet. Instant recalculation lets you explore different options and scenarios, ensuring your pet-care decisions are guided by accurate, reliable numbers.
Pellets (cups/day) = Body Weight (lbs) × (1/4 cup / 5 lbs) = BW × 0.05 Greens (cups/day) = Body Weight (lbs) × (1 cup / 2 lbs) = BW × 0.5 Hay: Unlimited (approximately body-sized pile daily)
Result: 0.3 cups pellets, 3 cups greens, unlimited hay
For a 6-lb rabbit: Pellets = 6 × 0.05 = 0.3 cups (~1/3 cup) per day. Greens = 6 × 0.5 = 3 cups packed leafy greens per day. Plus unlimited timothy hay. This provides a balanced diet with proper fiber, nutrients, and calories.
Rabbits' teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. Chewing fibrous hay wears teeth down at the proper rate, preventing painful dental spurs. Hay's long fiber strands also keep the gut moving — without constant fiber intake, rabbits develop GI stasis, which can be fatal within 24-48 hours.
If your rabbit is currently on a seed-and-pellet mix, transition slowly over 2-3 weeks. Gradually increase hay availability while reducing pellet portions. Introduce one new green vegetable every few days and watch for soft stools, which indicate the vegetable doesn't agree with your rabbit.
Not all pellets are equal. Choose plain timothy-based pellets without colorful bits, seeds, or dried fruit. These added ingredients are high in sugar and fat. Look for pellets with 18-20% fiber, 14-16% protein, and less than 2% fat. Oxbow and Science Selective are commonly recommended brands.
Unlimited. A rabbit should eat approximately a pile of hay equal to its own body size every day. Hay provides the fiber essential for proper digestion and dental health. If your rabbit isn't eating enough hay, reduce pellets to increase hay consumption.
Yes. Excessive pellets cause obesity, reduce hay consumption, and lead to dental problems because the rabbit doesn't chew enough fibrous material. Limit pellets to 1/4 cup per 5 lbs of body weight for adult rabbits.
Safe daily greens include romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, mint, bok choy, and carrot tops. Kale and spinach are safe in moderation but high in calcium. Avoid iceberg lettuce, which has minimal nutrition and can cause diarrhea.
Yes. Rabbits under 7 months can have unlimited alfalfa hay and alfalfa-based pellets for extra calcium and calories needed for growth. Transition to timothy hay and limited pellets gradually between 7-12 months of age.
Fruit should be a rare treat — no more than 1-2 tablespoons per 5 lbs of body weight, 2-3 times per week. Safe fruits include apple (no seeds), banana, blueberries, strawberries, and pear. The high sugar content can cause cecal dysbiosis if overfed.
Reduce pellets first — a hungry rabbit will eat hay. Try different hay types (timothy, orchard, meadow). Ensure hay is fresh and fragrant. Mix in small amounts of dried herbs for flavor. Hay is non-negotiable for rabbit health, so persistence is key.