Choosing the right food for your rabbit can feel overwhelming. There are so many products on the market! Timothy or alfalfa hay? Muesli or pellets? It’s hard to know what to choose. I remember when I first got my bunny I wanted to make sure he got all the right nutrients, so I compared lots of different foods.
Don’t worry; to make your life easier, we’ve provided a list of eight of the best pellets for rabbits.
Our top choice is the Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food because it’s made with high-quality ingredients like Timothy hay and is widely available in many countries worldwide.
We’ve included a range of options so you can find something that suits your needs whether you have an adult or baby rabbit. Let’s get started!
8 Best Pellets for Rabbits Reviewed
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food
| Best Overall: | 5.0⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Timothy grass meal, Soybean hulls, Soybean meal |
| Fiber content: | 25%-29% |
| Fat content: | 2% |
| Protein content: | 14% |
Made with high-quality Oxbow Timothy Hay, these pellets are ideal for adult rabbits. They’re completely balanced to provide your rabbit with all the nutrients they need daily.
The high fiber content keeps your bunny’s digestive system working correctly, while the complete pellets prevent selective feeding. Selective feeding refers to your rabbit only picking out the pieces of food they like.
I love that this food contains antioxidants like Riboflavin and prebiotics to keep your rabbit’s immune system functioning at its best. The pellets contain natural vitamins and minerals to support your bunny’s health.
I liked that this food is as natural as possible to support your rabbit’s well-being.
The Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food contains no hidden nasties like refined sugars or artificial colors and preservatives.
Oxbow is a brand that puts a lot of care into its products and I feel that they’re reliable. These pellets are even made with the guidance of veterinarians and nutritionists.
This food is available at most pet shops as well as online, which means you can keep your rabbit on a consistent diet. It comes at a reasonable, affordable price which is excellent value considering the quality of the pellets.
Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food
| Best for Natural Diet: | 4.5⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Timothy grass, Oat grass, Orchard grass |
| Fiber content: | 22%-26% |
| Fat content: | 2.5% |
| Protein content: | 12% |
The Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food could be a great choice if you want rabbit pellets containing plenty of natural ingredients. This food contains ingredients designed to mimic what your rabbit would eat in their natural environment.
The pellets contain an impressive three varieties of grass hay: timothy, orchard, and oat hay. Their high fiber content promotes better digestive and dental health for your bunny.
They’re certified by the Non-GMO Project, which means that the ingredients are natural and not genetically modified. This ensures the pellets are healthy and high-quality for your rabbit.
Like our top choice, they’re made in the USA and are recommended by vets, which is reassuring. They have more natural ingredients than our top choice, but are more expensive as a result.
Since these pellets are balanced, they provide your bunny with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy. I liked that they are free of refined sugars and artificial ingredients, which I find is always a good indicator of quality rabbit food.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Adult Rabbit Food
| Best for Dental Benefits: | 4.0⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Sun-cured timothy grass hay, Sun-cured alfalfa meal, Ground oats |
| Fiber content: | 18%-23% |
| Fat content: | 2.5% |
| Protein content: | 12% |
The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Adult Rabbit Food is packed full of ingredients to promote ideal health for your bunny. Probiotics and prebiotics help to keep your rabbit’s digestive system running smoothly. Natural antioxidants in the pellets work to support your bunny’s immune system and can improve its overall health.
Some larger pellets are included, designed to get your rabbit’s mouth working, making the pellets excellent for their dental health.
However, since the dental chew pieces are of different sizes and colors, they may lead to selective feeding for some bunnies. If your rabbit is prone to this or is a picky eater, these pellets might not be the right choice for you.
The fiber content is slightly lower than that of our top choices, but it’s still well within the recommended range for your rabbit’s health. This food is developed by an animal nutritional expert and is vet recommended so that you can trust in its quality. In my opinion the resealable bag to keep the food fresh was a nice touch.
If you’re on a budget, this food is more affordable than the top choices and still provides a great diet for your furbaby. Overall, I felt these pellets contained quality ingredients and provided a balanced diet for adult bunnies.
Supreme Science Selective Adult Rabbit Food
| Best for Healthy Skin and Coat: | 4.0⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Dehydrated alfalfa meal, Soybean hulls, Whole wheat |
| Fiber content: | 21%-26% |
| Fat content: | 2.5% |
| Protein content: | 12% |
The Supreme Science Selective Adult Rabbit Food is a great, readily available choice for any adult bunny. These pellets contain a good percentage of fiber (between 21%-26%) and can help to keep your bunny’s digestive system and teeth healthy.
The ingredients in this formula provide a balanced diet to ensure your rabbit gets everything they need from their food. There are no added sugars and its contents are reasonably low-calorie, helping keep your rabbit healthy.
Linseed is added to these pellets, which is a natural source of Omega 3 and 6. This ingredient can help to keep your rabbit’s skin and coat in top condition.
It’s worth mentioning that these pellets are made with Alfalfa rather than Timothy hay, which isn’t quite as healthy for adult bunnies.
Like many of our other options, this rabbit food is vet recommended, which can be reassuring for owners. It also comes at a reasonable price and in my opinion is good value.
Small Pet Select Rabbit Food Pellets
| Best for Freshness: | 4.0⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Timothy hay, Soybean hulls, Soybean meal |
| Fiber content: | 25%-29% |
| Fat content: | 2% |
| Protein content: | 14% |
If you prefer rabbit food that’s as fresh as possible, the Small Pet Select Rabbit Food Pellets are ideal! They may be the freshest pellets on the market!
They’re made in small batches so that they’re delivered to your door fresh. The company only uses hay from the current crop year to produce its pellets, which means your bunny will think they smell and taste great.
I like that they are a small company and put a lot of love and attention to detail into their product.
Made with timothy hay and fortified with vitamins and minerals, these pellets are full of high-quality ingredients.
This food is designed to provide your bunny with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet which is fresher than most out there. These pellets are on the higher end of the price range, but given their quality and freshness, I feel they’re worth it.
Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food
| Best for Young Rabbits: | 3.5⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Alfalfa meal, Wheat middlings, Soybean hulls |
| Fiber content: | 22%-25% |
| Fat content: | 2.5% |
| Protein content: | 15% |
Baby bunnies are adorable, and if you’re bringing one home, of course, you want to ensure they have everything they need to thrive. Young rabbits need more protein in their diet than adult rabbits to help them grow.
If you have a rabbit under one year old, the Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food could be a great choice to give them all the nutrients they need.
This food is also suitable for pregnant or nursing rabbits to give them extra energy and support.
These pellets are formulated with Oxbow Alfalfa which is rich in protein for energy. It’s full of fiber to keep your bunny’s digestive system functioning properly.
The protein and calcium in these pellets help to support your young rabbit’s muscle and bone development so they grow up healthy and strong!
This food is free of refined sugars and artificial ingredients. Like the other Oxbow options, these pellets are developed with the guidance of veterinarians and nutritionists and are vet recommended for young bunnies.
Considering the quality of these pellets, they come at an affordable price. They might also be a good choice if you plan to stick with the Oxbow name and transfer your bunny onto adult Oxbow pellets when they’re grown up.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food
| Best on a Budget: | 3.5⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Suncured timothy grass hay, Soybean hulls, Dehulled soybean meal |
| Fiber content: | 22%-27% |
| Fat content: | 1.5 |
| Protein content: | 13% |
If you’re on a budget but still want to give your bunny high-quality pellets, check out the Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food. Made with timothy grass hay, these pellets have plenty of fiber for digestive health. They also contain probiotics and prebiotics, which are excellent for digestion.
Added vitamins, minerals, and herbs promote good overall health for your bunny. The food even contains flowers! Like the other pellets on this list, they contain all the nutrients your rabbit needs in whole pellets. This prevents selective feeding and ensures your bunny gets necessary nutrients.
The firm texture of the pellets helps with dental health and helps to wear down your rabbit’s teeth. They’re also free of artificial preservatives, which is good for your rabbit’s well-being. Artificial ingredients can negatively affect your rabbit’s digestive system.
These pellets are lower in protein content than some other options, which is good for adult bunnies. Too much protein can cause digestive issues.
You can buy these pellets in a range of bag sizes, with bigger bags being even better value if you’re on a budget. They’re widely available and the brand is well-known.
Supreme Selective Naturals Grain Free Rabbit Food
| Best Grain-Free Food: | 3.5⭐ |
| First three ingredients: | Timothy hay, Soybean hulls, Pea flour |
| Fiber content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 4% |
| Protein content: | 14% |
The Supreme Selective Naturals Grain Free Rabbit Food could be a good choice if you prefer a grain-free food for your rabbit. However, they do contain legume which can cause digestive issues when fed in excess.
The pellets are free of corn, wheat, and other grains. The timothy hay and other natural ingredients make this food healthy for your bunny. These pellets contain no artificial sugars or colors, so there are no hidden nasties in your bunny’s food.
The fiber in these pellets can help with your rabbit’s dental and digestive health. Although, bear in mind that these pellets are lower in fiber than most of the other choices here.
Linseed is added to these pellets, which helps to keep your rabbit’s skin and coat healthy. It can even help to keep their coat shiny!
This rabbit food is a bit more expensive than some of our other options. Overall, these pellets are high-quality and healthy for your furbaby.
Buyers Guide
When you’re looking for the best pellets for rabbits, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make the best choice. Below is some guidance to help you find the right diet for your bunny.
Pellets Versus Rabbit Muesli
You must feed your rabbit with complete pellets or nuggets rather than a muesli-type food.
Rabbit ‘muesli’ encourages selective feeding, which means your bunny will just pick out the bits they like and leave the rest. Selective feeding leads to an unbalanced diet, which means your bunny won’t get all the nutrients it needs to thrive
Muesli typically contains a host of unhealthy ingredients for your bunny, like lots of pieces of fruit that contain high amounts of sugar.
Research shows that feeding your rabbit muesli can increase their risk of developing serious teeth and stomach problems.
Pelleted feed or nuggets are all the same size and shape, each piece containing every ingredient your rabbit needs. These are the best choice for your rabbit.
What to Look for in Rabbit Pellets
So, now that you know how important it is to choose pellets over muesli, you might be wondering what to look for in rabbit pellets. There are often a lot of claims and fancy words on the front of pet food packaging, which can be confusing.
The most reliable way to tell whether a food is good quality is to look at the nutritional analysis and ingredients list on the side or back of the packet.
The guaranteed analysis on rabbit food lists the minumum and maxiumum percentage of each nutrient available.
This is because some companies switch ingredients depending on what’s available. On the other hand, some companies offer a fixed ingredient formula, which means their ingredients always stay the same!
Look for natural ingredients and as few artificial additives as possible. Natural ingredients are more like your rabbit’s wild diet. Timothy hay-based pellets are usually best because they have a high fiber to protein ratio.
On the nutritional analysis, you should look for the following:
- Fiber
Rabbits need lots of fiber in their diet to keep their digestive system moving and prevent digestive issues like GI stasis. In the nutritional analysis, you’ll see a minimum and maximum percentage of fiber. I’d recommend looking for an absolute minimum of 18% fiber, but generally, the higher the fiber, the better. For example, our top choice of Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food has a fiber content of 25%-29%.
- Protein
Protein gives your rabbit plenty of energy, and if they’re still young, it helps them to grow. For adult rabbits, the recommended amount of protein in their pellets is between 12% and 14%. Young rabbits need more protein, so look for food with between 15% and 16% protein. The Oxbow Essentials Young Rabbit Food has a protein content of 15%.
- Fat
Like most animals, rabbits need some fat in their diet for energy. However, it’s essential they don’t have too much as this can lead to weight gain and health issues. Fat should make up around 2%-4% of your rabbit’s pellets.
- Calcium
Rabbits need some calcium to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Too much calcium can lead to health issues such as heart and kidney problems. Look for between 0.5% and 1% of calcium in your bunny’s pellets.
- Vitamins
You might see a range of vitamins in rabbit pellets, such as Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A.
If a rabbit food is developed or approved by animal nutritionists or veterinarians, it’s a good sign. However, you should still check the ingredients to ensure the best quality for your bunny.
Of course, you’ll also want to consider price and availability to ensure you can provide your rabbit with a consistent food source.
It’s best to keep them on the same pellets long-term rather than keep changing them, as sudden changes can cause digestive upset. If you need to change them, do so gradually, so their body has time to get used to the new food.
How Many Pellets Should You Feed Your Rabbit?
You should feed your rabbit a small cup of pellets daily if they’re an adult. Rabbit food packets usually have a feeding guide on the back to help you measure exactly how much your bunny should get each day.
The exact amount is typically calculated based on your rabbit’s weight. On average, adult rabbits should be given 1/8-1/4 cup per 5 lbs (2.25 kg) of body weight.
I prefer to split the daily amount of pellets into two meals, one in the morning and one at night. I found this worked better for my bunny, but this depends on your preferences.
If your rabbit is under a year old or is pregnant or nursing, you may be able to offer pellets on an unlimited basis. However, some experts feel this is unnecessary and instead recommend larger portions.
Take your time to do some research and figure out what you think is suitable for your rabbit. If in doubt, you can get further guidance from your vet.
What Else Should You Feed Your Rabbit?
As well as pellets, your rabbit should always have access to unlimited fresh hay. They will munch throughout the day, which is essential for their digestive health.
Ideally, they should also have access to some grass to graze on. In addition, you should provide a small amount of fresh vegetables each day. Of course, they should always have access to fresh water.
Vet Kathryn Dench from the Fuzzy-Rabbit team recommends a diet of 85% grass or feeding hay, 10% greens, and a handful of good-quality nuggets or pellets.
Offering too many pellets can cause your rabbit to become unwell or mean that they don’t eat enough of their hay.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best pellets for rabbits, the Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food is our top choice. It’s high in fiber, has a good amount of protein, and is low in fat. Its main ingredient is timothy hay, and there are no artificial additives, which is great for your rabbit’s health. It has higher-quality ingredients than most other options and is widely available, so you can keep your bunny’s diet consistent.
We also highly recommend the Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food, which mimics your rabbit’s natural diet, and the Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Adult Rabbit Food, which has some excellent health benefits.
All the options on our list are suitable for your bunny, and now that you know what to look for, you can make an informed decision! Did you find this helpful? If so, share it with your friends!