Diet

A proper diet is extremely important to the health of a rabbit. Approximately 80% of a rabbits diet should consist of hay, then vegetables, pellets, and fruits and treats. Unlimited hay and water should be provided while the lack of other types of diet is acceptable. Under no circumstances should you feed only vegetables, pellets, and/or fruit to your rabbit as a diet. Hay is essential.

Age
The dietary needs of rabbits change as they age.

The HRS states the following guidelines:
 * Birth to 3 weeks - mother's milk
 * 3 to 4 weeks - mother's milk, nibbles of alfalfa and pellets
 * 4 to 7 weeks - mother's milk, access to alfalfa and pellets
 * 7 weeks to 7 months - unlimited pellets, unlimited hay (plus see 12 weeks below)
 * 12 weeks - introduce vegetables (one at a time, quantities under 1/2 oz.)
 * 7 months to 1 year
 * introduce timothy hay, grass hay, and oat hays, decrease alfalfa
 * decrease pellets to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs. body weight
 * increase daily vegetables gradually
 * fruit daily ration no more than 1 oz. to 2 oz. per 6 lbs. body weight (because of calories)
 * 1 to 5 years
 * unlimited timothy, grass hay, oat hay, straw
 * 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism and/or proportionate to veggies)
 * minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. body weight
 * fruit daily ration no more than 2 oz. (2 TBL) per 6 lbs. body weight.
 * Over 6 years
 * if sufficient weight is maintained, continue adult diet
 * Frail, older rabbits may need unrestricted pellets to keep weight up. Alfalfa can be given to underweight rabbits, only if calcium levels are normal. Annual blood workups are highly recommended for geriatric rabbits.

Hay
Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's diet. It is the prime source of fiber to keep his GI tract working properly and also helps grind down their teeth to prevent overgrowth. Hay can also serve as entertainment, as it takes a while to chew. Some bunnies like digging and rearranging their hay.

Timothy hay is the most commonly recommended type of hay due to high fiber and low calories, but any grass hay is acceptable. Some other common grass hay types available are Bermuda, Orchard Grass, and Oat. Adult rabbits should not be fed alfalfa hay except under special circumstances. Alfalfa hay is much higher in calcium, protein, and calories than most rabbits need and will lead to weight problems.

Water
After hay, water is vital to a rabbit's survival. If a bunny does not drink sufficient water, the contents in his GI tract will dry up, and he will not want to eat either. Fresh cold water should be provided at least twice a day in a bowl, crock, or water bottle. Typically, a bunny will drink more from a crock or bowl than a sipper bottle. Rabbits will not drink warm or hot water. The water container should also be washed often with hot water and detergent to prevent bacterial buildup.

Vegetables
Vegetables constitute an important part of your rabbit's diet and should be fed daily.