Rabbit Food Calculator
Calculate daily pellet, hay, and vegetable amounts for rabbits by weight and age. Get monthly food cost estimates and feeding guidelines.
Rabbit Food Calculator
Calculator
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Formula: Daily Pellets (oz) = Weight (lbs) x Rate per lb x Activity x Modifiers
Worked example — Daily: 1.25 oz pellets, unlimited hay, 1 cup veggies, 10 oz water
Formula
Daily Pellets (oz) = Weight (lbs) x Rate per lb x Activity x Modifiers
Base pellet rate varies by age: 0.25 oz/lb for adults, 0.4 oz/lb for juveniles, 0.5 oz/lb for babies. Hay should be unlimited (body-size bundle daily). Vegetables: 0.2 cups/lb for adults. Adjust for activity level and pregnancy/nursing.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Single Adult Rabbit (5 lbs)
Problem:Calculate daily food amounts for a 5-pound adult rabbit with moderate activity level.
Solution:Pellets: 5 lbs x 0.25 oz/lb = 1.25 oz/day (~1/4 cup) Hay: Body-size bundle, approximately 5 oz/day (unlimited ideal) Vegetables: 5 lbs x 0.2 cups/lb = 1.0 cup/day of leafy greens Water: 5 lbs x 2 oz/lb = 10 oz/day minimum
Result:Daily: 1.25 oz pellets, unlimited hay, 1 cup veggies, 10 oz water
Example 2: Two Juvenile Rabbits (3 lbs each)
Problem:Calculate monthly food needs for two 3-pound juvenile rabbits (3-7 months old).
Solution:Per rabbit daily: Pellets 3 x 0.4 = 1.2 oz, Hay 3 x 1.2 = 3.6 oz, Veggies 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 cups Monthly per rabbit: Pellets 36 oz, Hay ~6.75 lbs, Veggies 9 cups Total for 2: Pellets 72 oz, Hay ~13.5 lbs, Veggies 18 cups Estimated monthly cost: ~$35
Result:Monthly for 2: 72 oz pellets, 13.5 lbs hay, 18 cups veggies (~$35/month)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hay should a rabbit eat daily?
Hay should make up approximately 80 percent of a rabbit's diet and should be available unlimited at all times. A healthy adult rabbit typically eats a bundle of hay roughly equal to its own body size every day. Timothy hay is the most recommended variety for adult rabbits because of its high fiber content and balanced calcium levels. For young rabbits under 7 months, alfalfa hay can be offered as it provides extra protein and calcium needed for growth. Orchard grass, meadow hay, and oat hay are excellent alternatives or supplements to timothy. The constant chewing of hay is essential for proper dental health because rabbit teeth grow continuously at a rate of about 2 to 3 millimeters per week and need fibrous material to wear down naturally.
How many pellets should I feed my rabbit?
Adult rabbits should receive approximately one-quarter cup of high-quality timothy-based pellets per 5 pounds of body weight per day. Overfeeding pellets is one of the most common rabbit diet mistakes because it leads to obesity and reduces hay consumption. For baby rabbits under 12 weeks, pellets can be offered in unlimited quantities along with unlimited alfalfa hay to support rapid growth. From 12 weeks to 7 months, gradually reduce pellet portions while increasing hay availability. Choose pellets that are plain without added dried fruits, seeds, or colored pieces, as these additives are high in sugar and fat. Quality pellets should contain at least 18 percent fiber, no more than 14 percent protein, and less than 2 percent fat for adult maintenance.
What vegetables are safe for rabbits and how much should they eat?
Adult rabbits should receive about 1 cup of packed leafy greens per 2 pounds of body weight daily, offering at least 3 different varieties for nutritional balance. Safe daily greens include romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, basil, bok choy, carrot tops, and dandelion greens. Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are nutritious but should be rotated and not fed daily due to high oxalate or calcium content. Introduce new vegetables one at a time over several days to monitor for digestive upset. Non-leafy vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli stems can be offered in smaller amounts. Carrots and fruits should be limited to 1 to 2 tablespoons per day as treats because their high sugar content can cause gastrointestinal problems if overfed.
How does a rabbit's age affect its dietary needs?
Rabbit dietary needs change significantly across their life stages. Baby rabbits from birth to 12 weeks should have unlimited access to their mother's milk, alfalfa hay, and alfalfa-based pellets. From 12 weeks to 7 months, continue alfalfa but begin introducing timothy hay and small amounts of vegetables one at a time. At 7 months, transition fully to timothy hay, reduce pellets to one-quarter cup per 5 pounds of body weight, and increase vegetable variety. Adult rabbits from 1 to 5 years maintain this balanced diet of mostly hay with measured pellets and fresh vegetables. Senior rabbits over 5 years may need calorie adjustments if they become less active, and some may benefit from slightly increased pellets if they have difficulty maintaining weight.
How much water does a rabbit need each day?
A rabbit typically drinks about 50 to 150 milliliters of water per kilogram of body weight daily, which translates to approximately 1 to 2 fluid ounces per pound. A 5-pound rabbit may drink 5 to 10 ounces of water daily, though consumption varies with temperature, activity level, and how much moisture is in their fresh vegetables. Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. Many rabbit owners debate between water bottles and bowls. Research suggests rabbits drink more readily from open bowls or crocks because the lapping motion is more natural than the sipper bottle mechanism. However, bowls can become contaminated with hay and droppings. A heavy ceramic crock that resists tipping is often the best compromise. In hot weather, water consumption can double, so check and refill water sources at least twice daily.
Why is long-strand fibre so critical to preventing GI stasis?
A rabbit's hindgut depends on near-constant movement of coarse, indigestible fibre to keep the gut wall contracting and the caecal microbial population stable. When pellets or treats displace hay, motility slows, gas-producing bacteria gain ground and appetite falls further, the cycle known as gastrointestinal stasis. That is why the pellet figure here is a ceiling rather than a target while hay is offered without limit. A rabbit that goes off its food or stops producing droppings should be treated as an emergency and seen by a vet rather than watched overnight, because the cycle accelerates once appetite drops.
What are cecotropes and should I worry if I never see them?
Cecotropes are soft, clustered, mucus-coated droppings produced in the caecum and eaten directly from the anus, usually at night or early morning. They deliver microbial protein and B vitamins, so re-ingestion is a normal and necessary part of rabbit nutrition, not a problem to correct. Seeing none is typical for a healthy rabbit. Finding uneaten, smeared cecotropes usually points to an over-rich diet, too many pellets or treats, or to obesity or arthritis preventing the rabbit from reaching, all worth a diet review and a vet check.
Why should adult rabbits move off alfalfa and onto grass hay?
Alfalfa is a legume, higher in protein, calcium and energy than grass hays such as timothy, orchard or meadow. That profile suits rapid growth in kits and the demands of pregnancy or nursing. Rabbits excrete surplus calcium through the kidneys, so a sustained excess in an adult contributes to thick, sludgy urine and bladder stone risk, and the extra calories drive weight gain that displaces hay. The usual transition is around seven months, blending the two hays over one to two weeks rather than switching abruptly.
How much more food does a pregnant or nursing doe need?
The calculator increases the pellet ration by 50% when the pregnancy or nursing option is selected, because lactation is by far the most energy-demanding state in a rabbit's life and a doe feeding a litter can otherwise lose condition quickly. Hay and water stay unlimited, and water demand rises sharply with milk production. Many keepers also reintroduce alfalfa during this period for the added protein and calcium. Return the ration to maintenance levels gradually after weaning rather than all at once.
How do I cut an overfed rabbit's pellets without triggering a hunger strike?
Reduce the daily measure in small steps, roughly a tenth to a quarter of the excess each week, so the rabbit compensates by eating more hay rather than refusing food. Weigh the portion instead of eyeballing a scoop, split it into a morning and evening feed, and top up hay before pellets so hay is the first thing eaten. Track body weight weekly on a kitchen scale and feel over the spine and ribs for condition. Stop reducing and consult a vet if hay intake or droppings fall rather than rise.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy
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