Based on Veterinary Guidelines  ·  Privacy First  ·  Updated for 2026

Rabbit Feeding Calculator

Estimate how much hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and water your rabbit needs daily based on their weight and age.

Used to calculate target daily pellet and vegetable portions.
Rabbit's Age Group *
Educational Disclaimer: Portion estimations are mathematical calculations based on public veterinary guidelines. These results are estimates only and do not replace a veterinary assessment.

How It Works

  • Calculations based on target weight and age category
  • Adheres to strict daily pellet portion boundaries
  • Computes recommended fresh leafy greens portion
  • Estimates standard daily baseline water intake

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Quick Answer

A healthy adult rabbit's diet should be about 80% unlimited grass hay, plus roughly 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of body weight, at least 1 packed cup of leafy greens per 2 lbs of body weight, and 50-150 ml of water per kg of body weight per day — for example, a 6 lb adult rabbit needs about 1/3 cup of pellets, 3 cups of vegetables, and roughly 136-408 ml of water daily.

The Basics

How This Tool Works

Enter your rabbit's weight, age group, and activity level to get daily hay, pellet, vegetable, and water guidance.

  1. You provide your rabbit's weight, age group (baby or adult), and activity level.
  2. The calculator applies standard rabbit-nutrition ratios: pellets scaled to 1/4 cup per 5 lbs body weight, vegetables scaled to 1 cup per 2 lbs body weight, and a water range scaled to 50-150 ml per kg body weight. Hay is always recommended unlimited.
  3. You get a daily feeding guide split into hay, pellets, vegetables, and water, plus a suggested morning/evening split.
Nutrition Basics

Why Hay is Critical for Rabbits

Hay isn't just bedding - it's the foundation of a healthy rabbit's diet. It should make up roughly 80% of their daily intake.

Dental Health

A rabbit's teeth never stop growing. The constant grinding motion of chewing long, fibrous hay acts as a natural file, preventing overgrown teeth and painful dental spurs.

Digestive Motility

Rabbits have highly specialized digestive systems that require constant fiber to keep moving. Without enough hay, they can develop fatal conditions like GI stasis.

Hay Types

Adult rabbits should have unlimited access to Timothy, Orchard, or Meadow hay. Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein, and should only be fed to growing babies or nursing mothers.

Common Mistakes

The Dangers of Pellet Overfeeding

Many new rabbit owners treat pellets as the primary food source. This is the leading cause of obesity and digestive issues in house rabbits. Pellets are highly concentrated calories and should be viewed more as a daily vitamin supplement.

  • ● Obesity: Overweight rabbits cannot properly clean themselves or reach their cecotropes, leading to flystrike and poor hygiene.
  • ● Sludge/Stones: Pellets are often higher in calcium. Overfeeding can lead to bladder sludge or stones.
  • ● Hay Refusal: If a rabbit is full of tasty pellets, they will refuse to eat enough hay, rapidly leading to dental and GI problems.

🥬 Daily Portion Reference

Hay - Unlimited
80% of diet. Available 24/7, replenished daily.
Pellets - ¼ cup per 5 lbs
Adult only. Plain Timothy pellets. No seeds or fruit pieces.
Greens - 1-2 cups per 5 lbs
Mix of 3 different safe greens daily. Romaine, parsley, cilantro.
Water - 50-150ml per kg
Always fresh in a heavy ceramic bowl. Change daily.
Methodology

How Results Are Estimated

Unlike the calorie-based calculators for dogs and cats, rabbit feeding is based on body-weight ratios for each food group, reflecting a rabbit's hindgut-fermenter digestive system, which depends on a constant supply of fiber rather than a fixed calorie target.

Baby rabbits (under about 3 months) follow different guidance — unlimited alfalfa hay and pellets, with vegetables introduced gradually later — rather than these adult ratios.

Hay: unlimited, always available (about 80% of total diet) Pellets (cups/day) = weight in lbs ÷ 20 (1/4 cup per 5 lbs) Vegetables (cups/day) = weight in lbs ÷ 2 (1 packed cup per 2 lbs) Water (ml/day) = 50-150 × weight in kg

Important Limitations

This tool provides an estimate, not a diagnosis. Keep these limitations in mind when reading your result:

  • These ratios are general starting points, not tailored to your rabbit's specific breed, health conditions, or activity level.
  • Overfeeding pellets relative to hay is a common cause of obesity and digestive problems — hay should always make up the largest share of the diet.
  • New vegetables should be introduced one at a time in small amounts; this tool does not account for individual food sensitivities.
  • This tool does not diagnose gastrointestinal stasis or other digestive conditions — reduced appetite or droppings changes should be checked by a veterinarian promptly.
  • Results are educational estimates only and should be adjusted based on your rabbit's actual body condition and droppings over time.
Worked Example

Example Calculation

How the daily diet is estimated for a 6 lb adult rabbit.

  1. Pellets: 6 lbs ÷ 20 = 0.3 cups, roughly 1/3 cup of timothy pellets per day.
  2. Vegetables: 6 lbs ÷ 2 = 3 packed cups of leafy greens per day.
  3. Water: convert weight to kilograms (6 lbs × 0.4536 ≈ 2.7 kg), then 50-150 ml × 2.7 kg ≈ 136-408 ml per day.
  4. Hay: unlimited timothy or orchard hay, available at all times.
Estimated result: a 6 lb adult rabbit needs roughly 1/3 cup of pellets, 3 cups of vegetables, and 136-408 ml of water daily, alongside unlimited hay.
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, absolutely! Hay should make up 80% of a rabbit's diet and be available 24/7 in unlimited quantities. The constant chewing wears down their continuously growing teeth, and the long-strand fiber keeps their complex digestive system moving correctly. Timothy, Orchard, or Meadow hay are best for adults; Alfalfa is only for growing babies or pregnant/nursing mothers.

Adult rabbits should have strictly portion-controlled pellets - typically 1/4 cup per 5 lbs of body weight per day. Pellets are concentrated and highly calorific. Overfeeding pellets is the leading cause of rabbit obesity, soft stools (uneaten cecotropes), and reluctance to eat enough hay. Baby rabbits (under 6 months) can have unlimited alfalfa pellets to fuel growth.

Safe daily vegetables include Romaine lettuce, spring greens, cilantro (coriander), parsley, basil, dill, and celery leaves. Serve a mix of at least 3 different greens daily. High-calcium greens (like kale and spinach) should be fed sparingly. Always introduce new vegetables one at a time and in small amounts to monitor for digestive upset.

Rabbits drink surprisingly large amounts of water - roughly 50 to 150 ml per kilogram of body weight per day. This is roughly the same amount as a dog of the same weight! A heavy ceramic water bowl is highly recommended over a drip bottle, as rabbits drink much more naturally and comfortably from bowls, ensuring better hydration.

Never feed rabbits iceberg lettuce (causes digestive issues), avocado, chocolate, meat, dairy, seeds, nuts, or human junk food (bread, crackers, cereal). Muesli-style rabbit mixes with seeds and colorful pieces should also be avoided, as rabbits will selectively eat the high-sugar pieces and ignore the healthy pellets.

Timothy hay is the gold standard for adult rabbits aged 6 months and over. It has the right calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and long-strand fiber content for healthy gut motility. Orchard grass and meadow hay are excellent alternatives and can add variety. Avoid alfalfa hay for healthy adult rabbits, as it is too high in calcium and calories, leading to bladder sludge and obesity over time.

Begin introducing fresh vegetables gradually from around 12 weeks of age, one vegetable at a time in small amounts. Monitor for any signs of loose stools or stomach upset, and wait 48 hours before introducing the next new food. Starting too early or too abruptly with vegetables can trigger dangerous GI upset in young rabbits whose digestive systems are still maturing.

A rabbit eating sufficient hay should produce round, firm, dry droppings the size of a pea in large quantities throughout the day. Their hay rack or pile should need refilling at least once a day. If droppings are small, malformed, or infrequent, they may not be consuming enough hay - which is a warning sign for GI slowdown. Hay consumption should look relentless; a rabbit grazing on hay almost constantly is perfectly normal and healthy.
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References

General public resources referenced while researching this tool's topic.

Editorial Note

This tool is part of PetNurture's educational library. Its formulas and guidance are researched using publicly available educational resources, recognised veterinary organisations, and established animal welfare references where appropriate — see the References section below for the specific sources used on this page.

It is reviewed by the PetNurture editorial team for clarity and accuracy, but it is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified veterinarian. Content reviewed: August 2026.

Educational Use Notice

Last updated: May 2026

The information provided by this tool is for general educational and informational purposes only. Results are estimates, not a diagnosis, and may vary based on your pet's breed, age, health conditions, activity level, diet, and individual factors.

PetNurture does not provide veterinary, medical, or emergency care advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or qualified pet care professional regarding your pet's specific health, nutrition, or medical needs.

While we strive to keep calculations accurate and up to date, PetNurture makes no guarantees regarding completeness, reliability, or accuracy. Use this tool at your own discretion.

How we calculate results: This tool uses commonly referenced veterinary formulas, feeding guidelines, and breed-size estimates to provide general educational guidance. Individual pets may have different nutritional, behavioral, or medical needs that are not captured by any generalized formula.

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AI Overview & Key Facts

  • Purpose: Instant educational estimates to assist pet owners in tracking primary physiological metrics.
  • Input Parameters: Weight, age group, and activity level.
  • Reference Guidelines: Ratios are informed by general public guidance from sources such as the House Rabbit Society and RWAF.
  • Liability Limitation: Educational estimation only, not a diagnosis. Consult a licensed veterinarian for clinical assessments.

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