We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 10 Best Rabbit Foods of 2026 We found the top pellets, hay, chews, and cubes for your bunny By Lorraine Wilde Lorraine Wilde Lorraine Wilde, M.S. is a writer for The Spruce Pets. She has over 25 years of experience, almost as long as her 30 years of being a dog and cat mom. Her work has included Run Those Dogs, Parents Magazine, Leaders in Heels, Sheownsit.com, and Miss Millennia Magazine, among other publications and, most recently, a Sniffspot host. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 09/10/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Look For FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets High-fiber grasses are the cornerstone of your rabbit's diet, but it's common to supplement timothy or oat hay with rabbit food pellets, which provide crucial nutritional balance. “Some rabbits do better on certain diets than others, but as a general rule, timothy-based pellet diets are ideal for most adult rabbits,” explains Anthony Pilny, DVM, DABVP, assistant medical director/education program manager at the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital. “Pellets should be the smallest part of a rabbit's balanced diet, with a variety of hays being the staple.” Hay, typically timothy hay, is a great staple food because it provides the fiber rabbits need to maintain healthy digestion. It also plays a role, along with certain toys, in helping rabbits maintain good dental hygiene, which is critical to their long-term health. Pellets make for a great supplement as they add vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your rabbit’s health. In building this list, we considered these factors as well as the nutritional guidelines provided by the House Rabbit Society. Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Rabbit Food at Amazon $25 $20 Jump to Review Best Hay: Small Pet Select SPS Timothy Hay at Amazon $31 Jump to Review Best for Young Rabbits: Oxbow Essentials Bunny Basics Young Rabbit Food at Amazon $12 Jump to Review Best Treats: Small Pet Select Flower Power Herbal Blends at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Budget: SALE Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food at Amazon $20 $16 Jump to Review Best Non-GMO: Small Pet Select Fortified Rabbit Food at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cubes: Small Pet Select Alfalfa Cubes at Amazon Jump to Review Best Basic Formula: Oxbow Essentials Rabbit Food at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Chew Sticks: Oxbow Enriched Life Apple Stick Bundle at Amazon $7 Jump to Review Best for Recovery: SALE Oxbow Critical Care Herbivore at Amazon $20 $15 Jump to Review Best Overall Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Rabbit Food Credit: Amazon $25 $20 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Oxbowanimalhealth.com What We Like High vitamin and fiber content Main ingredient is timothy grass No refined sugars What We Don’t Like Does not provide foraging opportunities Oxbow’s Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food is an excellent selection for rabbits. It’s not genetically modified and features all-natural ingredients. Oxbow has a great reputation for small animal feeds, and this mix is no exception. The primary ingredient in these pellets is timothy grass, which is high in fiber to aid your rabbit’s digestion. This food also has a good amount of fats at 2.5 percent. Rabbits cannot handle high quantities of fat, but some fat content is important for energy and immunity. Oxbow Garden Select also has great protein content at 12 percent. Protein is important for energy and muscle health, but too much can lead to digestive issues and infections. Another advantage of these pellets is their high vitamin content. This rabbit food comes in three sizes: 4, 8, and 25-pound bags. The pellets are uniform, which helps ensure picky eaters get all the included ingredients; however, it likely won’t satisfy rabbits’ foraging instincts. All pellet options should be supplemented with timothy grass. Primary Ingredients: Timothy grass, oat grass, orchard grass, oat hulls, canola meal | Quantity: 4, 8, 25 pounds Best Hay Small Pet Select SPS Timothy Hay Credit: Amazon $31 at Amazon View on Smallpetselect.com What We Like Fresh timothy hay mix of stem and leaf High in fiber Many size options What We Don’t Like Must be supplemented with other foods Timothy hay makes a great staple food for a rabbit as it provides appropriate levels of fiber to help your pet maintain healthy digestion. Timothy hay is often cut multiple times per season. Small Pet Select Timothy Hay is available in either first, second, or third cutting. Second-cutting hay offers high fiber and nutrients, as well as being a nice mix of stem and leaf. It is typically the best choice for most small pets, including rabbits. If your rabbit is extremely picky, however, or has mouth issues, you may find they prefer third cutting, which is almost entirely leaf and is much softer than second cutting; however, it's also lower in fiber. Small Pet Select Timothy Hay comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from a 12-ounce bag all the way up to a 40-pound bag. Primary Ingredients: Timothy hay | Quantity: 12 ounces; 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 40 pounds Best for Young Rabbits Oxbow Essentials Bunny Basics Young Rabbit Food Credit: Amazon $12 at Amazon $39 at Chewy View on Petco What We Like Nutritionally complete No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors Also available in Simple Harvest and Garden Select varieties What We Don’t Like Not all rabbits like the taste Foods designed specifically for younger rabbits use the words baby, young, or juvenile on the label. Always check the label for the appropriate age range before buying. This food is designed specifically for rabbits under a year old and is not appropriate for adults. Young rabbits that are still growing need a different balance of fiber, protein, and fat than adults. Most food for young rabbits will be alfalfa-based. Alfalfa hay provides a balanced, higher-protein source with essential amino acids and more calcium than timothy hay for growing bones. When supplemented with free-choice grass hay, these pellets may also be fed to pregnant or nursing rabbits and those with problems maintaining weight due to age or illness. Oxbow also makes a wide variety of top-quality rabbit foods for all life stages. Key ingredients: Alfalfa meal, soybean hulls, wheat middlings, soybean oil | Quantity: 5, 10, 25 pounds Best Treats Small Pet Select Flower Power Herbal Blends Credit: Amazon $15 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Smallpetselect.com What We Like Triggers foraging instincts Provides variety to rabbit’s diet All-natural What We Don’t Like Only appropriate as a treat While fresh fruit that is safe for rabbits makes for an excellent treat, you may be looking for an alternative, as fresh fruit does not keep and can be difficult to access in some settings. Small Pet Select Flower Power Herbal Blend is a great choice for an alternative rabbit treat. This mix is all natural, consisting entirely of dried flowers and herbs, including calendula, red clover, lavender, rose petals, elder flowers, hibiscus, hawthorne berries, and rose hips. The variety in the mix will trigger your rabbit’s foraging instinct. It should be noted, this should be treated as a treat, not a staple food, and should be given to your rabbit in moderation. About a tablespoon a day is recommended for an adult rabbit. You could put it on top or mix it in with your rabbit’s hay. It should also be noted as these are just dried flowers, you should keep them sealed and stored properly to keep bugs from getting into them. Primary Ingredients: Calendula, red clover, lavender, rose petals, elder flowers | Quantity: 2.5, 4.4 ounces Best Budget Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food Credit: Amazon $20 $16 at Amazon $16 at Chewy View on Petco What We Like Nutritionally complete, with high fiber for good digestion Includes prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health Does not include fruits or sugars No artificial colors or flavors What We Don’t Like Lower vitamin count than other options If you’re looking for another high-quality pellet option that’s a little easier on the wallet, Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food offers many of the benefits of our top pick at a cheaper price. It’s available in 4.5- or 9.5-pound bags, which is one fewer option than our top pick, but admittedly, the 25-pound option in our top pick is too large for most owners. Kaytee’s Timothy Complete Rabbit Food, like our top pick, has good fiber and protein levels, which are important factors in choosing a food. Where it lags behind our top pick is in vitamin content, containing far fewer vitamins than our best overall choice. Keep this in mind when choosing this product, as you may want to supplement for vitamin content. Primary Ingredients: Sun-cured timothy grass hay, soybean hulls, dehulled soybean meal, wheat middlings, dried cane molasses | Quantity: 4.5, 9.5 pounds Best Non-GMO Small Pet Select Fortified Rabbit Food Credit: Amazon View on Amazon View on Smallpetselect.com What We Like Made in small batches Natural ingredients Timothy hay is half the formula What We Don't Like Not as cost-effective as some other choices Something we like about Small Pet Timothy Select Rabbit Food is that it's manufactured in small batches using only hay from the most recent harvest. Owners report the fresh smell of the pellets, and the vast majority of reviews are glowing in regard to their rabbits’ enjoyment of the food. The blend is over 50 percent timothy hay, providing good fiber content. It’s also fortified with vitamins to support your pet’s general health. At $20 for a 5-pound bag, it is more expensive than some other options on our list, but many owners feel it is worth it for the quality and freshness of the food. It’s also available in 10-, 20-, and 40-pound bags, giving you many choices in terms of what best fits your number of pets and setup. Primary Ingredients: Timothy hay, soybean hulls, soybean meal, sodium bentonite, wheat middlings | Quantity: 5, 10, 20, 40 pounds Best Cubes Small Pet Select Alfalfa Cubes Credit: Amazon View on Amazon View on Smallpetselect.com What We Like No additives Chewable cube form 100 percent timothy hay and alfalfa What We Don't Like Only suitable as treat These cubes from Small Pet Select are made from a mix of timothy and alfalfa hay, though it's also available in variants of pure alfalfa or pure timothy. Alfalfa is only suitable as a staple food for young or pregnant rabbits, though you can use it as a treat for adult rabbits; this is due to alfalfa being a little high in calcium. If you’re concerned, we recommend getting the cubes with only timothy hay. These cubes only have three ingredients: timothy hay, alfalfa hay, and bentonite as a binding agent. Many owners report their rabbits love chewing on these as a treat to add variety to their eating experience. Primary Ingredients: Timothy hay, alfalfa hay, bentonite | Quantity: 1 pound Best Basic Formula Oxbow Essentials Rabbit Food Credit: Amazon $10 at Amazon $27 at Chewy $62 $29 at Petco What We Like Made without any artificial ingredients Very high in fiber Main ingredient is timothy grass meal What We Don't Like Does not provide foraging opportunities Fiber is a very important part of your rabbit’s diet. Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food is a great high-fiber option that’s made from all-natural ingredients. According to the nutritional analysis given by Oxbow, it should have about 29 percent fiber. The main ingredient is timothy grass meal, which provides the bulk of the fiber content. This rabbit food also contains no added preservatives, dyes, or flavors, and many owners report how fresh it is compared to other options. It comes in 5-, 10-, and 25-pound bags. Primary Ingredients: Timothy grass meal, soybean hulls, wheat middlings, soybean meal, cane molasses | Quantity: 5, 10, 25 pounds Best Chew Sticks Oxbow Enriched Life Apple Stick Bundle Credit: Amazon $7 $6 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Petco What We Like Helps maintain tooth health Stimulates instinctual need All natural What We Don't Like Should be used as a treat only Rabbits, as rodents, have teeth that continue to grow into adulthood. They have an instinct to chew, and it’s important to provide your rabbit with safe items and toys for them to chew to wear down their teeth and to maintain good dental health. Chew sticks make for a great treat that will also give them something to chew on. Oxbow’s Apple Stick Bundle Chew Sticks are made from untreated apple sticks, which are nice and soft for your rabbit’s enjoyment. They come bundled, which could provide further enrichment for your rabbit to figure out how to chew into the bundle; however, you can also open the bundle and give them individual sticks. Primary Ingredients: Sisal, wood, natural fabric | Quantity: 1 bundle Best for Recovery Oxbow Critical Care Herbivore Credit: Amazon $20 $15 at Amazon $11 at Chewy What We Like Often recommended by vets Delivers essential nutrients for complete diet High in fiber, low in carbohydrates Easy to mix and syringe-feed What We Don't Like Not all rabbits take to the flavor Every bunny parent should have an emergency kit for rabbits on hand in case of illness. Oxbow's Critical Care Herbivore is a vet-recommended recovery food for rabbits and guinea pigs and is considered the industry standard. The high-fiber, low-carbohydrate formula is nutrient-dense, so it provides a complete diet to help sick bunnies suffering from digestive issues and dehydration, or recovering from surgery, get back to health. It also contains beneficial prebiotics and chelated minerals that are readily absorbed. It comes in powdered form, making it easy to mix to your desired consistency. You can use it to tube- or syringe-feed, spoon-feed, or place in a bowl for self-feeding. It's also available in three flavors—apple and banana, anise, and papaya—and three sizes. Primary Ingredients: Timothy grass meal, soybean hulls, soybean meal, wheat germ, soybean oil | Quantity: 3.53, 4.97, 16.01 ounces Final Verdict Our top choice for the best rabbit food is Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food. This food has timothy hay as a top ingredient and great nutrition levels across multiple categories. It’s all natural and comes in uniform pellets. If you’re looking for more of a treat, we recommend the Small Pet Select Timothy and Alfalfa Cubes. These cubes are all-natural mixes of timothy and alfalfa hay, and make a great treat to bring variety into your rabbit’s eating experience. What to Look For in Rabbit Foods Type of Hay About 80 to 90 percent of a rabbit’s diet should be hay—just like their wild ancestors. You can go down the figurative rabbit hole researching the many common types—timothy, alfalfa, oat, meadow, and orchard hays—which can be derived from grass or legumes (beanstalks). Each differs nutritionally, and that balance also changes depending on whether it’s the first, second, or third cutting. Pellet Ingredients and Nutrition Look for a food that has the optimal nutritional balance for your rabbits based on age and life stage. “Just like the variety of dog and cat foods available, each brand of rabbit pellet has different ingredients and nutritional analysis, but should be based on known minimum requirements for feeding,” says Dr. Pilny. “High fiber content from 18 to 20 percent minimum, with 12.5 percent as indigestible fiber, is ideal for most adult pet rabbits. Protein levels range from 12 to 14 percent, with fat content from 2 to 5 percent. Calcium generally ranges from 0.5 to 1 percent. Keep in mind that young, growing rabbits, geriatric bunnies, or lactating females have different nutritional requirements.” “It is recommended to buy a pelleted diet that contains only plain green pellets, no seeds or puffs,” says Dr. Sari Kanfer of Exotic Animal Veterinary Center in Pasadena, California. “Avoid any of the mixes (often called muesli) that contain seeds, corn, or dried fruits,” adds Dr. Pilny. “The basis of most commercial pellet brands will be either timothy, alfalfa, or both, depending on the company and their nutritional beliefs about rabbit nutrition,” says Dr. Pilny. “Alfalfa has more calories and less fiber than timothy hay in general and is fine to feed in moderation.” “Choosing a premium quality brand that is only pellets may cost a little more, but typically means better quality ingredients and fewer fillers,” says Dr. Pilny. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive tracts, so the transition to hay or pellets, or the introduction of new vegetables and fruits, should be done gradually to allow their system to adjust. Common Ingredients Timothy Hay: This is the staple of adult rabbit diets and should make up the vast majority of their food. Timothy hay is high in fiber, which is critical in aiding your pet’s digestive system. Alfalfa Hay: Higher in calories and lower in fiber than timothy hay, its primary use is for young rabbits, geriatric rabbits, and pregnant or nursing rabbits. It is okay to give adult rabbits in moderation, but not as their primary hay. Soybean Meal: Made from soybeans, it is primarily included as a source of protein. Wheat Middlings: A byproduct of the milling process of wheat, and sometimes called wheat bran, wheat middlings are often used in animal feeds. They are included as an added source of fiber, as well as providing carbohydrates. Vitamins and Mineral Supplements: Many pellet formulas have added vitamins and minerals to help ensure that your rabbit is getting all the essential nutrients for their health. Common vitamins include vitamin A and vitamin D. Common minerals include calcium and phosphorus. Grains: Oat, barley, and wheat provide carbohydrates and energy for your rabbit; however, these should only make up a small portion of their overall diet, as rabbits can’t digest a lot of carbohydrates. Vegetables: Fresh vegetables are a great source of vitamins for your rabbit. Carrots, lettuce, and broccoli are examples of safe vegetables for your pet. Fruit: As an occasional treat, fresh fruit can be provided to your rabbit. The high sugar content means they should only be enjoyed in moderation. Rabbits tend to enjoy strawberries, blueberries, and apples. FAQ What fresh foods can you give a rabbit? “Rabbits are strict herbivores, so I always say, since they are vegetarian, to 'think green!’ Rabbits can be fed a variety of green vegetables (in addition to unlimited hay and a small amount of pellets daily),” says Dr. Pilny.Dr. Pilny and Dr. Kanfer agree that dandelion greens; green leaf lettuce; romaine; fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, and dill; and fresh grass are good options. “Kale and parsley should be fed only in small amounts, as they are higher in calcium,” says Dr. Kanfer.“Although fruit is safe, it should be entirely avoided or only fed in very small amounts as an occasional treat,” says Dr. Pilny.“Contrary to popular culture, carrots should also be avoided or fed as a rare treat,” explains Dr. Pilny. “However, carrot tops (green part) are ideal. Some rabbits are sensitive to certain vegetables and amounts fed, so work with the individual to see what works best.” Do different breeds of rabbits need different food? "The general house rabbit diet is the same or similar despite the breed,” explains Dr. Pilny. “The differences will usually be based on weight (e.g., large breeds like the Flemish Giant will need more calories and consume more food overall), as well as size, growth, and maintenance.”“Some of the very large rabbits like Flemish Giants may need a larger amount of pellets, and tiny dwarf rabbits may not need as many pellets for their size,” says Dr. Kanfer.“Young, elderly, or lactating mother rabbits have different requirements,” adds Dr. Pilny. “Many pet rabbits are mixed breeds and have similar nutritional requirements.” Is it OK to feed hamster pellets to a rabbit? Dr. Pilny and Dr. Kanfer agree that, although it would be safe to do so, they do not recommend hamster pellets for a rabbit. “The nutritional requirements are very different, and this could result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies or excess and a host of health problems,” says Dr. Pilny. “They are not as high in fiber,” adds Dr. Kanfer.“The rabbit's stomach and gastrointestinal system is very sensitive and requires a species-appropriate diet for overall health and to avoid unnecessary visits to the veterinarian,” says Dr. Pilny. “We are fortunate to have species-specific diets that meet individual pet needs when fed properly, and thus they should be used as part of a balanced diet plan to ensure optimum health, longevity, enrichment, and well-being.” Do dwarf rabbits need special food? Dwarf rabbits are the same species as other rabbits, but they have a gene for dwarfism. So they can generally eat the same foods as other breeds of rabbits. However, their digestive systems can be more sensitive than other breeds, so introduce new foods slowly and one at a time so you can be sure it won’t upset their tummy.This breed also does best when it is not allowed to overeat. Pay attention to pellet size when selecting your food. Dwarf rabbits may prefer smaller pellets that are easier for them to hold and bite. Why Trust The Spruce Pets This article was updated by Ellie Welles, who has raised dogs, cats, rabbits, and even a green-cheeked conure. She’s passionate about finding the best products for your littlest family members. For this article, she consulted countless product reviews and rabbit owner feedback to find the best products for rabbit owners everywhere A specialist in small pets, Ellie spoke with a variety of sources and utilized experts in small animal care to assemble roundups of the best guinea pig supplies, ferret toys, and chinchilla cages. Her two cats were a little more helpful when it came to finding great window perches. Two veterinarians shared insights on rabbit nutrition and health. Dr. Sari Kanfer attended veterinary school at Colorado State University. Shortly before vet school, she became hooked on rabbits. After 10 years of building a great clientele in the small mammal community, she opened the Exotic Animal Veterinary Center in Pasadena, California. In addition to overseeing a team of five veterinarians, Dr. Kanfer sees primarily rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. Dr. Anthony Pilny joined Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital by way of Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Pilny completed internal medicine and surgery internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa, Florida, and a residency in avian and exotic pet medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He is also an advisor for the House Rabbit Society. A previous version of this story was written by Lorraine Wilde, who has been a dedicated pet lover and parent for the past 35 years. Explore more: What to Buy Small Pet Products Advertisement