How Much Hay Should a Rabbit Eat Per Day?

Rabbits should have unlimited hay available at all times — it is the single most important element of their diet and must make up at least 80–90% of what they eat. A rough guide: a rabbit should eat a pile of hay roughly the same size as its own body every day.

## Why Hay Is Non-Negotiable

Hay serves two critical functions that no other food can replace:

1. Dental wear
Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout life (up to 2–3 mm per week). The sideways chewing motion required to grind hay provides the abrasion and jaw movement that keeps molars and incisors worn to the correct length. Without sufficient hay, teeth overgrow and become misaligned — a painful and expensive condition (dental malocclusion) requiring surgical correction or regular filing under anaesthesia.

2. Gut motility
The rabbit's large intestine requires a constant supply of indigestible fibre to keep moving. Without it, gut motility slows, leading to GI stasis — one of the most common causes of sudden death in rabbits.

## What Type of Hay?

- Timothy hay — the gold standard for adult rabbits; low in calcium, high in fibre
- Orchard grass — softer texture, good for picky rabbits
- Meadow hay — good variety, slightly more nutrients
- Oat hay — higher in protein, good for underweight rabbits

Avoid: lucerne/alfalfa hay for adult rabbits. It is very high in calcium and protein, suitable only for young rabbits under 6 months.

## Why Rabbits Refuse Hay

- Hay is too dusty or stale (buy small, fresh batches)
- Pellets are being given in excess (reduce pellets to encourage hay eating)
- Dental pain (molar spurs make chewing painful — vet assessment needed)
- Hay variety is boring (mix two types to encourage interest)

## Recommended Daily Diet at a Glance

| Food | Amount |
|------|--------|
| Hay | Unlimited (pile = body size) |
| Fresh leafy greens | 1–2 large handfuls (per kg body weight) |
| Pellets (adult, plain) | 1–2 tablespoons per kg body weight |
| Fruit/treats | Small amount, 2–3 times per week |
| Fresh water | Unlimited |

Log your rabbit's hay consumption in Flovvi — a sudden decrease in hay eating is often the first sign of dental problems or early GI issues.