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Best Rabbit food for Young and Adult Rabbits: Reviews and Buying Guide

Written by: Peter Laskay
Reviewed by: Amber LaRock
Last updated on:

If you are in a hurry and want to know right away:

I choose Oxbow Animal Health Bunny Basics Essentials as the best rabbit food for adult rabbits. For young rabbits, I pick Sunseed Vita Prima Sunscription Young Rabbit Formula. And the best hay is Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay. If you are interested in detailed reviews, scroll further.

When I was a child, we had rabbits. It wasn’t me who fed them, but my father. Because of this, I always thought that feeding rabbits were complicated. Otherwise, this is partly true. There are a few things you should pay attention to if you want the best for your bunnies.

I am more prepared on the subject today. I will write about the rabbits’ diet and present some products in detail later. 

Best adult rabbit foods

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Best Young Rabbit Foods

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Best hays for rabbits

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Anyway, you might want to read the full article because I’ve put together some helpful tips on the subject.

Rabbits’ diet

Before we can look at what is the best food for rabbits, we need to clarify something. Rabbits were wild animals. Then they have been domesticated. Because of this, there is very little physical difference between wild rabbits and domestic rabbits. The same goes for their digestive system. 

Therefore, it is worth giving them the foods that their wild counterparts eat. Of course, it is not a problem to feed them sometimes with dry food prepared for them. However, we must do so in moderation, as we must avoid overfeeding.

Take the example of wild rabbits. Mainly give your rabbits food that they can graze for hours. First, for example, try supplementing their diet with natural grass.

What ingredients should the rabbit’s diet include

The diet of rabbits should consist of the following foods: grass or hay (75-80%); veggies and herbs (10-15%); fruits (5%), and dry food (5%). By adhering to this, not only are the necessary nutrients provided, but you can give delicious delicacies to your bunny. Let’s look at these ingredients one by one.

Grass or hay

If you live in a city, it is quite difficult to get fresh grass. However, the hay is just as good. It is a dried version of grass that provides a lot of nutrients for rabbits. (It can also be used as bedding. Among other bedding, I will also mention this in this article.)

It is very important to know that different types of hay contain different amounts of nutrients. Because of this, it’s usually not a good idea to use one type. It’s best to mix them. Rabbits of different ages need different amounts of micro and macronutrients. I’ll write about that later. 

Three types of hay can be distinguished: Orchard grass, Timothy, and Alfalfa

Veggies and herbs

Hay is an excellent food for rabbits. However, it does not contain enough vitamins, minerals, and other important elements. Therefore, it is important that the diet of rabbits includes fresh vegetables. Last but not least, they contain moisture that is not present in the hay.

You should give most of the fresh food to your rabbit in the form of vegetables. Many mention the harmfulness of oxalic acids. However, this naturally occurs in most plant foods. In moderation, it will not hurt the rabbits. Especially if you give them green leafy vegetables.

There are vegetables that contain little or no oxalates. I will not list them all, but important examples: 

Asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, swiss greens, turnips, basil, radish tops, beet greens, mint, chicory, cucumber leaves, carrot tops, watercress, bok choy, dill leaves, dandelion, wheatgrass, endive, cilantro, kale.

The following vegetables contain more oxalate. However, I do not recommend completely omitting them from the diet:

Spinach, mustard greens, parsely, carrots.

If you combine these in a variety of ways, you can’t go wrong. It is recommended to mix two or three types at a time and serve it for the rabbits. 

Fruits

In moderate quantities, fruits are excellent sources of nutrients. By the way, they’re delicious, and rabbits also deserve a little treat. However, they contain a lot of sugar and starch. This is not as good as it can cause obesity. 

Pay attention to how much fruit you put in your rabbits at one time. They will probably start eating right away with this and consume those fruits all. Give your bunnies a tablespoon of fruit per pound of body weight per day. It is best to do this not at once but distributed throughout the day. 

If you want to give them fruit for the first time, introduce it gradually and watch the reactions.

Dry food

A lot of people think this should be the main food for rabbits. This is only true if you breed rabbits for their meat. Dry food is a very concentrated source of nutrients. However, it usually does not contain enough fiber for healthy digestion. In short, if you feed your rabbits too much of such food, you can be sure that there will be health consequences in the long run.

Of course, there are not only disadvantages but also the advantages of dry food. You may not have access to all the types of hay and veggies I mentioned above. Whatever the reason, you can use a good quality dry food to properly supplement your rabbits’ diet.

There are two types of dry rabbit food:

  • Mixed dry food: It is a mixture that contains several types of dried ingredients. Even vegetables, which can make it a healthy choice. It is like cereals or muesli eaten by humans. This can have a disadvantage. Because the different ingredients are different colors, choosy rabbits can pick out the things they like from it.
  • Pellets: Pellets are usually made from dried grass. Because the pieces are the same color and size, rabbits can’t pick from them. There are many types of products from these in the market. Always read the product ingredient description. Don’t necessarily decide by color. Here I am thinking that a green pellet may not be green because it contains a lot of veggies. Based on the ingredients, you will be able to get a more complete picture of what product and how much is needed to supplement your rabbits’ diet.

How much food do rabbits need?

Anyone who has had a rabbit knows exactly that they can gnaw all day long. This makes it very easy to overfeed them. Separating the types of food mentioned above, let’s look at how much our bunnies need.

  • Hay: Give an adult rabbit a bundle of straw the same size as he or she. Different types of straw may be needed at different ages. I’ll write about that later.
  • Veggies: You need to give your rabbit a handful of green leafy vegetables every day. If possible, mix three types of vegetables at once. Try to vary the vegetable varieties as much as possible.
  • Fruits: Don’t overdo it, but your bunny can still get some fruit once a day. This will make him or her happy and healthy.
  • Pellet: Rabbits should eat about 25 grams of this per kilogram of body weight. 

How much do a baby and a teenage rabbit eat?

The first 12 weeks are the most important. At this period, you need to pay close attention to the requirements of the rapidly developing body of the rabbit. During this nearly three months, you need to lay the groundwork for a healthy diet for your rabbit.

For the first three weeks, rabbits only need mother’s milk. In the following one or two weeks, alfalfa hay can be introduced to them in addition to breast milk. Between the ages of four and seven weeks, in addition to the above, you can start feeding them good quality pellets. 

After the age of seven weeks, they no longer need breast milk and alfalfa hay. By this time, they can eat more dry food and replace hay with other varieties. After 12 weeks of age, you can introduce green leafy vegetables to them. Do this gradually.

How much do a young adult rabbit eat?

During the first few months, basic eating habits developed. The intestinal flora of rabbits is established, making it easier to digest new foods. In such cases, it is worth introducing complex fresh and raw sources into their diet. Feel free to try the hay mixes mentioned above. In parallel, continuously reduce the amount of pellet and alfalfa.

Your adult bunny should eat 10-12 grams of pellet per 6 lbs of body weight. As I mentioned, slowly introduce the vegetables gradually. Watch what effect they have on your pet’s digestion. You can try introducing fruit treats. Remember: don’t overdo it, and don’t vary too much. Apples or beets are the perfect choices first.

How much do an adult rabbit eat?

This is mostly the same as for young adults. You can try several vegetables, fruits (in moderation). You can give more hay to your adult rabbits. From vegetables, you can increase the dose to two cups a day. The dose of the pellet should vary depending on these other ingredients.

What about senior rabbits?

If the elderly rabbit does not have any medical problems, the adult diet can be resumed. There are cases when the levels of calcium in the blood of old rabbits decrease. In this case, it is advisable to feed them more foods, that replenish this mineral. For example, alfalfa or pellets. If you have any concerns about this issue, talk to your vet.

So what is the best rabbit food?

As you can see, you can’t choose a single best rabbit food. This choice will change with your rabbits’ age. If you have young rabbits, you need to watch for brands and products that provide more protein. For adult rabbits, you should buy the best quality pellets, preferably made from timothy hay. If you have senior rabbits, you will need more alfalfa.

Popular brands are: Oxbow, Kaytee, Mazuri, American Dinner

The products I review are mainly from these brands.

Best rabbit foods for adult rabbits

These are my choices for the best rabbit foods for adults:

Oxbow Animal Health Bunny Basics Essentials

Oxbow is one of the most popular brands. This product is downright excellent.

It contains natural ingredients, supplemented with added vitamins and minerals.

The product consists of three main ingredients: timothy hay, soy, and wheat. That’s why this dry food also contains the amount of protein, fiber, and fat that an adult rabbit needs. 

Vitamins added include Vitamin A, D, E, and most of the B. They provide maximum support for rabbits’ skin, eyes, fur, and nails. 

Many veterinarians recommend this rabbit food, especially if your bunny has some kind of skin or fur problem. The pellets are soft and very chewable.

Pros

  • Vitamin blend
  • Rabbits love it
  • Easy to chew
  • High-quality ingredients

Cons

  • Some people complain about the quality of the packaging

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Small Pet Select Rabbit Food Pellets

This is one of the best choices on the market. It is a product of a relatively new brand, but it soon became popular. About 500 packages of this product are produced per month and are only available on Amazon.

Needless to say, this is the perfect guarantee of freshness. After all, the most common flaw in mass production is the lack of freshness. 

The pellet is made of timothy hay, which is a perfect source of fiber. In addition, similar to the previous product, it also contains soy and a mixture of vitamins. 

This food is sure to be a favorite of rabbits as it is very easy to chew. The latter contains vitamins A, D, E, B, calcium and phosphorus

The money-back-guarantee is especially sympathetic to me.

Pros

  • Fresh guarantee
  • Money-back-guarantee
  • Tasty chewable pellets
  • Vitamin and mineral blend

Cons

  • Little bit pricey

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Kaytee Fiesta Food for Rabbit

It is actually the best-known brand in the world. And this is no accident. Rabbits also really like this product. I put it on this list because of the fresh ingredients. 

Ingredients include grains and seeds. It also contains hay, but not timothy, as the products above, but oat hay and alfalfa. If you don’t want to give your rabbit alfalfa, you should look for another option.

This rabbit food also contains a vitamin blend with vitamins A and E, B12, niacin, and folic acid

Pros

  • Fresh
  • Vitamin blend
  • Affordable price
  • Natural ingredients

Cons

  • Not all rabbits can be given alfalfa
  • Rabbits can select individual ingredients

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – Timothy Blend

There are owners who don’t want to feed their rabbits soy or grains. It will be an excellent choice for them.

Sherwood rabbit food is made from timothy hay and is completely free of soy and grains.

There are owners who don’t want to feed their rabbits soy or grains. It will be an excellent choice for them. Sherwood rabbit food is made from timothy hay and is completely free of soy and grains. Because of this, it does not cause any digestive or sensitivity problems.

This product also contains vitamin blend and chelated minerals. 

Although this is one of the most expensive products on this list, I think it is worth the price. You have to pay for the quality.

Pros

  • Fresh pellets
  • Doesn’t contain soy or grains
  • Timothy based
  • Improve digestion

Cons

  • Pricey
  • It has a slightly high protein content

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Best Rabbit Foods for Young Rabbits

If your rabbits are between seven months and one year old, you may want to buy the following food for them.

Sunseed Vita Prima Sunscription Young Rabbit Formula

I think this is the best rabbit food that can be given to a young, growing rabbit. After all, its formula contains everything your bunny needs from sunseed and alfalfa.

Sufficient protein and calorie content help the body develop properly.

In addition, it contains a special blend with vitamins and minerals. This food is easy to digest. Due to its nutrient content, you can feel free to give it to young and pregnant rabbits as well. The pellets are very light and soft. They’re also delicious, so they’ll be your rabbits ’favorites.

Pros

  • Soft and delicious pellets
  • Rich in proteins and calories
  • Vitamin blend
  • Easy digestible

Cons

  • Pricey

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Sherwood Pet Health Baby Rabbit Food

This high-quality young rabbit food is the second Sherwood product on my list.

It is specifically designed for growing rabbits. It contains all the necessary useful nutrients. 

In addition to alfalfa, this food contains ground oats, ground wheat, oat hulls, and flaxseed. This provides the necessary protein, fiber, and omega fatty acids at the same time. Your rabbits will have beautiful fur.

Pros

  • Excellent source of protein
  • Omega fatty acids
  • Rich in fiber
  • Blend of vitamins and minerals

Cons

  • Pricey

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Best quality hays for rabbits

As you already know, hay is an important part of the rabbits ’diet. For this reason, I would also like to recommend good quality hay. Keep in mind that your rabbit may need more than one type of hay at a time.

Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay

If you order timothy hay for your rabbits, you need to pay attention to quality because there can be huge differences.

With Small Pet Select timothy hay, you won’t have that problem.

Each package contains fresh hay from the second cut. Because of this, it will be not only delicate but also soft.

It contains long strands with relatively little dust. It also does not contain beetles, insects, or other living things. Just clean hay.

Pros

  • Fresh hay from the second cut
  • Long strands
  • No dust
  • Bug-free

Cons

  • Package could be better

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Kaytee All Natural Timothy Wafer-Cut Hay

This is practically the best-selling timothy hay. It is no coincidence because good quality comes at a great price.

However, the quality is not as good as the previous product.

But here you have to decide how much to spend on the hay of your rabbits.

The product is low in protein, so in many cases, it can be a good supplement to the diet of your adult rabbits. 

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Low protein for adult rabbits
  • High fiber

Cons

  • Quality is not as good

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

Standlee Premium Western Forage Timothy Grass

The last hay on my list is also timothy.

Everything is true of this product, which is typical of good hay.

It is of good quality, long, and comes from the second cut. It’s completely dust-free. 

Rabbits will really love the taste. 

Pros

  • Top-quality
  • Second cutting
  • Long strands
  • Dust-free

Cons

  • The hay is of good quality but often dries out in the packaging

>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<

My choices

From the tables at the beginning of the article, you can see which products I find the best. But I also write it here, if you’ve gotten this far. The best rabbit food for adults in my opinion is Oxbow Animal Health Bunny Basics Essentials

And the best food for young rabbits is the Sunseed Vita Prima Sunscription Young Rabbit Formula.

The best hay is clearly Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay.

Although I was happy with all of the products in this article, I would strongly recommend these three to any rabbit owner.


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Author:
Hey, my name is Peter, and I am the owner of this site. I have loved animals since I was a kid. I am constantly training myself; I recently obtained an accredited certificate in pet nutrition. But I am constantly learning about training, grooming for dogs and cats. I am currently a happy owner of two dogs, six cats, and two red-eared sliders. My goal is to provide my visitors with the most authentic information possible on any pet-related topic.
Amber LaRock
Reviewed By An Expert:

My name is Amber, and I am a licensed vet tech with 10 years of experience in the field. I spent the majority of my career working in emergency medicine but recently transitioned to creating accurate pet care information online. There is nothing more important to me than helping pet owners understand their furry friend’s health, and giving you the tools you need to offer your pet the best future possible!

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