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Whether you have one bunny or a few, you'll want to give your furry friends the best rabbit food for their needs. While quality rabbit food pellets are a convenient and nutritious part of a rabbit's diet, they shouldn't be the only food source or even the main dish. Pellets should make up 5% or less of a rabbit's diet, while hay should make up the rest, says Dr. Joerg Mayer, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Not every bag of rabbit food or bundle of hay is made equal. To sort through the clutter, I researched ingredients, examined product reviews, and consulted rabbit experts to identify the best options. I recommend Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food as the best overall pellet for adult rabbits. It's affordable, Timothy hay-based, and provides the right amount of nutrients. Pair it with Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay for a well-balanced diet. Read on for recommendations for senior and baby rabbits as well.
Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Best overall pellet food for adult rabbits: Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food - See at Chewy
Best budget pellet food for adult rabbits: Mazuri Timothy-Based Rabbit Diet - See at Chewy
Best for baby bunnies: Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food - See at Chewy
Best for seniors: Oxbow Essentials Senior Rabbit Food - See at Chewy
Best hay for young rabbits: Small Pet Select Alfalfa Hay - See at Chewy
Best hay for adult rabbits: Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay - See at Chewy
Best for hay allergies: Small Pet Select Orchard Hay - See at Chewy
Adult bunnies should eat rabbit food with 12% to 14% protein, less than 3% fat and 1% calcium, and 20% to 25% fiber, says Susan Smith, a professor at the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute. She says a high-quality Timothy hay-based pellet often achieves this balance, and Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food fits the bill.
The experts I spoke to recommend pellet food like my top pick over muesli or cereal blends. Unlike muesli and cereals, pellets prevent rabbits from selectively picking out their favorite bits, ensuring they receive balanced nutrition in every bite. Some people opt for Oxbow's natural line of rabbit foods to avoid ingredients such as soybean hulls and molasses. According to posts in Reddit's rabbit subgroup, this is based on misconceptions that the amount of molasses in rabbit foods is unhealthy or that soybean hulls provide no nutritional benefit. However, Mayer says the small amount of molasses is a perfectly acceptable binder that gives the food a taste and smell rabbits enjoy. In addition, soybean hulls offer essential fiber, unlike the protein-rich soybean itself, says Dr. Jana Bryant, lead veterinarian and managing partner at CityVet.
Bryant says she frequently recommends Oxbow foods to her clients and feeds them to her own lop-eared bunnies. In particular, Oxbow's offerings stand out because the company is committed to researching and developing nutritious foods, and its veterinary advisory board often works alongside universities. In addition, the recipes are formulated under the guidance of veterinary nutritionists.
Mazuri Timothy-Based Rabbit Diet proves affordable food doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of nutritional value or quality. The brand has 35 years of experience developing exotic pet food, and its recipes are formulated under the guidance of a staff nutritionist. To ensure its food provides the best nutrition possible, Mazuri also collaborates with zoos, universities, and breeding facilities to research, develop, and test their diets.
This nutritious food for adult rabbits includes Timothy hay as the first ingredient. Hay is the most important ingredient in rabbit pellets because it provides two key types of fiber: digestible and indigestible. Mayer says gut bacteria break down digestible fiber into nutrients that "keep bunnies hopping" while indigestible fiber acts like a "scratch factor" in a rabbit's digestive system to keep digestion moving. These pellets also contain probiotics to further support the beneficial bacteria in your rabbit's gut.
You can find this food at major retailers for around $1.11 per pound (that's less than $30 for a 25-pound bag), or save even more by signing up for auto shipments.
The best rabbit food for baby bunnies contains essential nutrients to support growth and development. Their food should contain 12% to 15% protein, 2% to 3.5% fat, and 20% to 27% fiber. Baby bunnies also need more calcium than adult rabbits. The experts I spoke with say the best commercial rabbit feeds for growing bunnies, such as nutritionist-formulated Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food, achieve this balance using alfalfa hay as a top ingredient.
Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth, while protein builds strong muscles. Even though this baby bunny food contains less calcium than my top pick for adult rabbit food, feeding it alongside unlimited alfalfa hay ensures young bunnies have a consistent calcium source throughout the day. "Alfalfa hay has more protein and calcium for growth than other hay types," says Bryant, which complements the food's balanced nutrient profile.
All in all, Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food is a great option. It's packed with essential nutrients to help your bunny grow strong and comes in various sizes to fit your needs. Plus, Oxbow is trusted by pet parents and veterinary professionals, yet this food is more affordable than other comparable recipes.
Oxbow Senior Rabbit Food is the best rabbit food for senior bunnies due to its unique nutritional blend. It combines the digestive benefits of fiber-rich Timothy grass with protein and calcium-rich alfalfa hay. This targeted formula aids muscle and bone health without overloading senior bunnies with calcium.
Rabbits have naturally light bones. While advantageous for agility at a young age, a rabbit's bones can become brittle and prone to injury as they reach their senior years, generally around 5 or 6 years old, depending on breed. Calcium helps support strong bones, but Mayer says too much can lead to bladder stones. Oxbow Essentials Senior Rabbit Food tackles this challenge by carefully balancing Timothy and alfalfa hay, providing the essential calcium for strong bones while reducing the risk of bladder stones. The extra protein in alfalfa hay helps build strong muscles. This food also includes antioxidants, which have shown promising results in reducing the risk of degenerative diseases of the liver, kidneys, and brain in cats and dogs and may provide the same benefits for rabbits.
Alfalfa hay is the recommended hay type for young rabbits because it's much richer in nutrients like calcium and protein than other hays. Mayer says quality alfalfa hay is a darker green and a bit more leafy than other hay types. Small Pet Select Alfalfa Hay is a top choice among both rabbit parents and veterinarians.
Praised for its freshness and quality, this alfalfa hay is a favorite among rabbit owners, with many reporting their rabbits prefer it over other brands. Depending on the harvest time, your hay might even include dried blossoms, a tasty treat that can trigger happy bunny zoomies (binkies). Bryant echoes these positive reviews, saying she recommends Small Pet Select's line of rabbit products as another high-quality choice for rabbit parents.
This brand consults with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure their hay and feeds meet rabbit nutritional needs. However, as rabbits mature, their dietary needs change. Alfalfa hay becomes more of a treat due to its high nutrients, so adult rabbits should transition to a different hay or grass like Timothy, orchard, or brome.
Adult rabbits should always have access to hay. It's more than just food — it provides essential fiber for their digestive system and helps maintain healthy teeth. Rabbit teeth grow continuously (about 2 millimeters a day), and Smith says chewing hay helps prevent overgrowth. Experts recommend Timothy hay as the preferred choice for adult rabbits, although orchard hay and brome grass are also suitable options.
Hay is often harvested multiple times a year, and each harvest is called a "cutting." The cutting can affect the hay's nutritional value as well as texture and taste. Small Pet Select offers pet parents the choice between first, second, and third cuttings. The third cutting is the richest and leafiest of all, while the first cutting has more robust stems. Most pet parents find that the second cutting is the sweet spot for their adult rabbits. If you're unsure which hay is right for your bunny, the company offers a sampler pack of 2nd and 3rd cutting Timothy hay, oat hay, and orchard hay.
While Small Pet Select Timothy Hay might have a slightly higher upfront cost than other hay options, pet parents report their rabbits devour every last bit. This reduces waste compared to other brands, potentially saving money in the long run, especially when buying in bulk.
Hay allergies shouldn't stop you from enjoying the companionship of rabbits. Small Pet Select Orchard Hay provides a nutritious alternative to Timothy hay that's less likely to cause hay fever in people. Orchard hay is still packed with fiber yet has minimal amounts of protein and calcium, ideal for adult rabbits.
According to the House Rabbit Resource Network, allergies are the leading cause of rabbit surrenders. They say switching from Timothy hay to orchard hay may solve the issue, as orchard hay is naturally less dusty. The freshness of the hay matters, too. That's why it's best to purchase it from a trusted brand with positive reviews, such as Small Pet Select.
For optimal freshness, store your hay in a dry area. Smith recommends leaving the hay in the cardboard box it comes in.
According to my experts and in-depth research, when choosing the best rabbit food, you'll want to keep the following factors in mind.
Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis section is on every pet food label, and it lists the percentages of key nutrients in the recipe, including protein, fat, fiber, and calcium. Experts say rabbits' nutritional requirements change based on age, so it's important to purchase specific feeds and hay for young, adult, and senior rabbits.
Feed type: There are two main types of feed to consider for your rabbit. My experts only recommend feeding baby, adult, and senior rabbits pellet foods.
Ingredients: Rabbit should always have access to hay, Mayer says. This means you'll want to give your rabbit large handfuls of hay in the morning and evenings. It also means choosing pellet food with hay as the first ingredient. For young rabbits, opt for alfalfa-based pellets. Adult rabbits can have pellets made with Timothy or orchard hay. Depending on your senior rabbit's needs, they may benefit from a pellet with Timothy hay as the first ingredient and alfalfa potentially included farther down the ingredient list.
My experts recommend avoiding foods where the following ingredients appear at the top of the ingredient list: peas, beans, nuts, potatoes, seeds, and dried fruits.
Soybean hulls are an exception, Bryant says. They're the fibrous outer part of the soybean, rather than the bean itself that contains plant proteins. Molasses is also a typical ingredient in high-quality rabbit food diets. "There are really good brands that use molasses as a binder, and to be honest, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it," Mayer says.
To narrow down the best rabbit food among the many options, I focused on the following criteria and the guidance shared in the "what to look for" section above.
Expert interviews: I interviewed three experts about rabbits' nutritional needs. Dr. Joerg Mayer is a professor of small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Susan Smith, PhD, is a professor at the University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute, author of Gastrointestinal Physiology and Nutrition of Rabbits, and former head of the Wisconsin House Rabbit Society. Dr. Jana Bryant is the lead veterinarian and managing partner at CityVet.
Rabbit owner community boards and product reviews: I visited forums and online rabbit communities such as Reddit's rabbit subgroup to learn more about common health and nutrition concerns as well as which foods and hay are popular among rabbit parents. I also read user reviews of each product, only recommending those with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Ingredient review: Rabbits have different dietary needs at different ages. I selected foods formulated for rabbits at varying life stages following the nutritional and ingredient guidance provided by the experts I interviewed.
Quality control and brand reputation: Choosing a pet food brand that employs or consults with veterinary nutritionists provides assurance that the food is formulated to meet the needs of your pet at each life stage. I also gave high marks to brands with strong commitments to research and development, often collaborating with universities to advance understanding of pet nutrition. Additionally, in some cases, my picks are recommended by veterinarians.
The best rabbit food is hay, which should comprise about 95% of their diet. The remaining portion of a rabbit's nutrition should come from a high-quality pellet rabbit food that includes hay as the first ingredient. The best food for individual rabbits depends on their age.
"For adult rabbits, we are looking for a Timothy hay-based pellet that doesn't contain seeds," Bryant says. Baby bunnies should eat an alfalfa hay-based pellet.
Many reputable brands make quality rabbit food. Mayer says "the vast majority of big names in the industry have done a really good job in consulting with the nutritionists. The last thing they want to do is cause harm to a rabbit." Bryant recommends Oxbow and Small Pet Select as two such brands. She trusts their feed and hay offerings for her lop-eared bunnies.
The best pellets for rabbits have hay as the first ingredient. For young rabbits, opt for alfalfa-based pellets, such as Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food. Adult rabbits can have pellets made with timothy or orchard hay. I recommend Timothy-based Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food because it's veterinary nutritionist-formulated and available at an affordable price. For senior rabbits that are not overweight, Mayer says a combination of Timothy and alfalfa hay can be beneficial. I recommend Oxbow Essentials Senior Rabbit Food, a pellet food with a balanced profile of Timothy and alfalfa hay for optimal digestion, bone, and muscle health. Even high-quality pellets should be fed in moderation, with most of a rabbit's nutrition coming from hay.
Rabbits can eat leafy vegetable salads, like lettuce, carrot tops, and herbs. However, salads should be given in moderation as treats. Smith says carrots are sugary, while Mayer warns that too much lettuce could cause diarrhea.
When choosing commercial food, be sure it doesn't list peas, beans, seeds, nuts, or dried fruits as the first ingredients. Instead, look for rabbit food with hay as the first ingredient. Smith says rabbits shouldn't eat starchy vegetables like squash, potatoes, and corn because they can cause serious digestive problems. While Mayer says wild rabbits will come across and eat an occasional seed, seed shouldn't make up a significant portion of your rabbit's diet either.
