Can my rabbit have pellet food?

Rabbit Pellet Food
Food Pellets are generally used as one of the primary foods for domestic rabbits though they are not strictly necessary if your bunny is getting regular amounts of fresh vegetables and hay. They consist of grasses and various additives ground up and compressed into a small pellet form.

A good quality rabbit pellet should not contain seeds, nuts, peas, beans, corn, or pretty colored ingredients that attract the human buyer’s eye. These foods are high in Fat and Starch and can interfere with the proper balance of your bunny’s digestive system causing such problems as mushy fecal matter (mushy poop), gas, intestinal blockage and other more serious health problems. If you choose to use a pellet food for your bunny, remember your furry companion is a rabbit so keep away from those foods more appropriate for a mouse or squirrel.

A good pellet food should contain:
14-20% Crude Fiber
13-14% Protein
3% min Fat
0.6% Calcium

A rabbit should be feed pellets once daily (twice per day is ok if you reduce the amount of pellets at each feeding). Rabbits are nocturnal animals, feeding early in the evening is best, try to stay within the chart listed below. **NOTE: young rabbits (up to 6 months) should be allowed unlimited pellets, however, gradually adjust their food according to the chart below as they get older. This chart is to be used as a general guide line. If your rabbit is becoming too fat, or is thin and sickly looking, please check with your veterinarian.

Rabbit Weight Daily Ration
If your rabbit weighs 2-4 pounds give 1/8 cup of food
If your rabbit weighs 5-7 pounds give 1/4 cup of food
If your rabbit weighs 8-10 pounds give 1/2 cup of food
If your rabbit weighs 11-15 pounds give 3/4 cup of food

By feeding your bunny pellets once per day, you can also quickly tell if your bunny is having problems or is not feeling well. A bunny will not eat if they are hurting or sick. Pay close attention to your bunny during feeding time, and if he/she does not appear to be acting like they normally do at feeding time, check your bunny immediately for possible tummy problems or any medical problems that might be causing pain.