Pellets for rabbits: how much and which type

Pellets are a concentrated food that can complement a rabbit''s diet, but they are not a staple — hay is. Many rabbit owners, and even some older vet advice, significantly overestimate how many pellets a rabbit needs.

How much pellet is right?

The current recommendation from rabbit welfare organisations (RWAF, House Rabbit Society) is:
- Adult rabbits (over 7 months): no more than 1–2 tablespoons (15–25 ml) of pellets per kilogram of body weight per day
- A 2 kg rabbit gets about 2–3 tablespoons per day — that is far less than most commercial packaging recommends
- Dwarf breeds: even less — around 1 tablespoon per day total
- Juveniles (under 7 months): freely available pellets are acceptable during growth, as young rabbits need extra calories and calcium

Too many pellets fill the rabbit up and reduce hay consumption — which is where the real problems start (dental disease, GI disease).

Which type of pellet to choose?

- High fibre, single-ingredient pellets only: look for pellets with a crude fibre content of at least 18–20% (over 22% is better). The ingredient list should start with hay or grass.
- Avoid muesli-style mixes: these allow selective feeding — rabbits eat the sugary, colourful bits and leave the healthy parts. Studies link muesli mixes to obesity and dental disease.
- Avoid pellets with added corn, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit: too high in sugar and fat.

Good brands

Oxbow Essentials, Supreme Science Selective, Burgess Excel, and Allen & Page pellets are widely recommended by rabbit vets and welfare organisations. All are single-ingredient, high-fibre pellets.

Pellets vs. no pellets

Some rabbit specialists advocate a pellet-free diet of unlimited hay plus a large portion of mixed leafy greens. This mirrors a wild diet and prevents obesity. Pellets add convenience but are not nutritionally essential if greens are provided generously. Discuss with your vet or a rabbit-savvy nutritionist.