9 Best Rabbit Food & Pellets For A Healthy Diet (2024 Review & Guide)

For those of you, who are in a hurry: Here is my top pick, the Oxbow Essentials Rabbit Food.

You want the best rabbit food for your furry little friend, but how do you choose the best product for your bunny’s needs? Don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of the top nine best rabbit foods and pellets for you, plus we offer up tips for choosing the healthiest food for your pet.

In this article I am going to review the following 9 pellets:

Top 9 Rabbit Food Options

Finding the best rabbit foods can be a daunting undertaking that is why we have done all the hard work for you. Here are our picks for the best rabbit food and pellets.

My top pick: Oxbow Essentials Rabbit Food

Oxbow Essentials is a well-known brand that bunnies seem to enjoy, and many pet parents consider it the best rabbit pellets brand. This rabbit food is fortified with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and probiotics to help your pet achieve optimal health. Top nutritionists and veterinarians were involved in creating Oxbow so this food is far from mediocre, even if it’s readily available nearly everywhere.

While Oxbow has high fiber Oxbow Timothy Hay, you can still pair it with unlimited amounts of Oxbow Grass Hay, which plays a vital role in maintaining a rabbit’s natural, balanced diet. The pellets, aside from taste, are all uniformly designed to prevent picky eaters from sifting out the parts they want to eat from the parts they don’t.

You can quickly tell that Oxbow Essentials rabbit food doesn’t have any unwanted seeds, nuts, and other mystery ingredients. And while you cannot see it, this rabbit food does not contain any preservatives or artificial coloring. This is definitely our top pick on this list.

Pros:

No preservatives or artificial colors
Nutrient-rich
Backed by veterinarians

Cons:

Only available in five or 10-pound bags

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Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Rabbit Food

Packed with probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics, Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Rabbit Food is an excellent choice to help with your rabbit’s digestion and general health.

The larger pieces’ crunchy texture supports your rabbit’s dental health by cleaning their teeth and encouraging natural chewing activity as they chow down.

When it comes to stocking up, the Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Rabbit Food comes in five, ten, and 25-pound bags and is available for adult or juvenile rabbits. It’s also naturally preserved for maximum freshness, so keep in mind that you must use the entire bag within 45 days of opening it.

Pros:

Nutrition rich
Naturally preserved
No artificial colors or flavors

Cons:

Short shelf life

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Small Pet Select Rabbit Food Pellets

The vitamin-rich, mineral-packed, high fiber formula of Small Pet Select gives bunnies of all ages the essentials they need to support a long, healthy life.

Small Pet Select is a family-owned brand that continuously ranks as the top rabbit food choice by veterinarians and pet parents throughout the United States. Bunny owners love it not only for its superior quality but for the care that goes into the production.

Small Pet Select guarantees a swift and fresh delivery with naturally harvested ingredients that maximize the food’s potency and value, or they’ll refund your money. They even go so far as to guarantee your money back if your choosy bun doesn’t like the food, so you can’t really go wrong with trying these pellets out.

Pros:

Made in the USA
Ships fresh
Vitamin-rich ingredients
Money-back guarantee

Cons:

Not sold in stores
Only for adult rabbits

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Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food

The Kaytee brand has over 150 years of nutrition experience, so they know what ingredients are crucial for longevity and vitality. Much like their other Forti-Diet Pro plan, the Kaytee TImothy Complete rabbit food provides essential nutrients to balance and aid your rabbit’s diet.

Unlike the Forti-Diet Pro rabbit food, the Complete formula is available in two options: pellets and pellets with hay. With no sugars added but plenty of hand-selected Timothy hay and chelated minerals, this option from Kaytee gives your critter all the nutrition they need.

The Timothy Complete formula is alfalfa- and corn-free, making it easier on your critter’s digestive tract and less likely to cause any other health problems. Because of its health benefits and premium ingredients, this brand is also veterinarian-recommended. Considering the quality of the hay in this food, Kaytee Timothy Complete is a bargain both you and your bunny will love.

Pros:

Alfalfa and Corn Free
Good for digestive and general health
Veterinarian recommended
Pellets and pellets with hay options

Cons:

Short shelf life

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Science Selective Rabbit Food

Science Selective has a label for young bunnies, adult rabbits, and a special blend for rabbits over four years old. The company knows that with age comes a need for a more focused and balanced diet.

The Junior Science Selective brand contains more protein to support healthy development and growth and is rich in vitamins, herbs, and other natural antioxidants. The formula for adult rabbits, Supreme Science Selective, has a high natural fiber content for easy digestion and is beneficial for dental health, too.

For rabbits four years and older, Science Selective created a recipe abundant in crude fiber and balanced vitamins to support their immune system. The food includes thyme to help stimulate appetite and help encourage reluctant eaters to take a nibble or two.

With three nutritionally balanced brands for all rabbit ages, veterinarians often recommend Science Selective. The pellets’ composition is not only filled with fortifying nutrients and tastes great but it’s all-natural too.

Pros:

Variety depending on rabbit age
Natural ingredients
Veterinarian recommended

Cons:

Quite pricy

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Mazuri Nutritionally Complete Rabbit Food

While more expensive than some of the other brands, the Mazuri Nutritionally Complete Timothy hay-based rabbit food is just that; complete. It is bursting with the appropriate amount of nourishment to maintain and enhance your rabbit’s well-being to the point where you won’t need any extra supplements.

Not to mention, all of the ingredients in the blend are natural and well-researched by a team of professionals. You won’t find anything unnecessary on the ingredient list, but your bun will probably love the pellets anyway.

Not only is the Mazuri rabbit food palatable, but it contains yucca schidigera, an extract that helps reduce ammonia odors. This food is also a good source of natural vitamin E and omega-three fatty acids.

Pros:

All-inclusive, no supplements needed
Timothy Hay-based
Ammonia reducing extracts
Contains natural vitamin E

Cons:

Only available in 25-pound bag

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Sherwood Pet Health Professional Adult Rabbit Food

The Sherwood Pet Health Professional adult rabbit food brand, with its premium quality and composition, helps your rabbit maintain a well-balanced diet. It’s both soy and grain-free to improve your rabbit’s wellbeing and is rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to manage your rabbit’s blood pressure and cholesterol.

Since this brand contains alfalfa hay, you should treat it as a supplement rather than a full meal, unless your bun is pregnant or nursing new kits (or if you have a young litter to feed). When giving it to your rabbit, be sure to limit the helping based on your rabbit’s size and age. It is balanced in smaller proportions to give your rabbit the necessary nourishment but should also accompany a hearty helping of grass hay to receive the best results.

Pros:

Soy and grain-free
Beneficial to digestive health
Contains Omega 3 and 6

Cons:

Designed as a supplement, not a meal
Alfalfa hay not ideal for adult rabbits

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Small World Rabbit Feed for All Rabbits

Small World, produced by Manna Pro, but a complete bunny food filled with all of the sustenance your rabbit deserves and needs. This rabbit food is a trusted brand that you and your rabbit will love and comes in 10-pound bags so you won’t have to restock your supply continually.

Aside from its steal of a price, the Small World rabbit food comes complete with essential vitamins and minerals to support your rabbit’s overall health. Its no-corn formula also proves beneficial in avoiding tummy troubles and keeping your bun’s digestion moving.

This food is also specially formulated for a flavor your rabbit won’t be able to resist. It’s a top-quality composition with a flavor many bunnies seem to love.

Pros:

No corn formula
Essential vitamin and nutrient-rich
Special flavor formula

Cons:

Only available in a 10-pound bag
Contains alfalfa meal

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Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Diet for Adult Rabbits

Wild Harvest’s dedicated team designed a bunny food mix complete with a healthy blend of veggies, seeds, grains, Timothy hay, and alfalfa meal using all-natural ingredients. With its range of food and treats, Wild Harvest also provides premium nutrients in its unique formula.

With important fiber, vitamins, and minerals, the Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Diet has everything an adult rabbit needs to lead a healthy and happy life.

Wild Harvest looked to none other than the rabbit itself for the inspiration behind their rabbit food recipe. The company sought to create a food based on how rabbits in the wild forage for food in their natural habitat. The formula incorporates many bits and ingredients, including dried peas, cracked corn, and oats. These tidbits give rabbits the necessary mental and physical stimulation of foraging for a win-win in terms of nutrition and mealtime enjoyment.

Pros:

A healthy mix of ingredients
Encourages physical and mental stimulation
Made with food from natural habitat

Cons:

Contains seeds
Contains alfalfa meal

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

How to Choose the Best Rabbit Food

Before you choose what you think is the best bunny food, you need to consider what makes a brand the best rabbit food, including the ingredients and nutritional profile.

Ingredients

Before you settle on the best rabbit pellets, you want to be sure the ingredients align with what’s appropriate for their diet. For instance, while alfalfa is an excellent source of nutrients for rabbits, it shouldn’t comprise most of its diet because of its high protein content.

Too much alfalfa can lead to health problems for older bunnies and mother rabbits that are done caring for babies. Brands like the Kaytee Timothy Complete rabbit food opt for Timothy hay as a comparable substitute.

Like alfalfa, Timothy hay is lower in protein but higher in fiber, so your pet can digest it more comfortably. You should also avoid ingredients that a rabbit wouldn’t eat naturally, including many nuts and seeds.

As for protein and fiber, rabbits require specific quantities, so you should look at each brand’s composition levels before choosing the best bunny food. You don’t want to give too much or too little and need to consider your rabbit’s age before purchasing.

Protein and fiber needs vary at different stages of development, and younger rabbits benefit from a special blend with more protein.

Different Types of Food

Rabbits benefit from a varied diet, and mimicking their natural foraging habits is the healthiest way to round out their mealtimes. Pet bunnies need a combination of hay, fresh veggies, and pellets to keep them healthy and active.

Hay

Hay is a crucial part of a rabbit’s diet and should always be readily available. The roughage helps keep your pet’s intestinal contents moving right along, preventing ‘hairballs’ and other blockages. You can choose from different hay types such as orchard, Timothy, alfalfa (give this one in moderation to adult rabbits), and oat. Odds are, your bunny will have an opinion on the matter, too!

Veggies

Vegetables are essential, whether you’re human or animal. While vegetables shouldn’t comprise the bulk of your rabbit’s diet, greens are vital for their overall health. Vegetables add moisture to your pet’s intake, which helps them stay hydrated. A range of nutrients also help promote healthy growth — plus, your pet rabbit will enjoy fresh “treats.”

Pellets

Pellets, those earthy capsule looking things, are a necessary form of domestic bunny food. Experts say that the best rabbit pellets have “at least 22% crude fiber, no more than approximately 14% protein, about 1% fat and about 1.0% calcium.” Adult rabbits should be served about ⅛ cup of pellets per four pounds of weight, though a bit more is acceptable if the pellets’ base is Timothy hay (versus alfalfa).

Timothy Hay vs. Alfalfa

When comparing Timothy hay and alfalfa, there’s controversy. Some say that alfalfa is excellent because it’s part of a rabbit’s natural diet, whereas others claim it’s dangerous and should be given sparsely (or not at all).

However, both claims are rooted in some truth. Alfalfa, while a part of the natural diet, is more beneficial for younger bunnies. Because of its high protein content, young rabbits typically less than a year old are encouraged to consume more alfalfa because it aids in their development. However, it’s also that nutrient-rich content that poses a threat to older rabbits.

Past their first year, rabbits should steer clear of alfalfa as a regular part of their diet. It’s ok to give some as a treat now and then, but this is one hay that shouldn’t be readily available at all times.

The increased calcium composition in alfalfa can affect how rabbits metabolize it, leading to kidney stones and other urinary tract infections. This complication is why people often choose, and veterinarians often recommend, Timothy hay-based foods such as Oxbow Essentials and Mazuri as an alternative.

Timothy hay has balanced fat, protein, calcium, and fiber levels that make it ideal for your rabbit’s nutritional needs. While there are three different cuts of Timothy hay to choose from, most experts agree that it’s a safer alternative to alfalfa that doesn’t sacrifice nutritional value.

Learn more about the right hay for your pet in this article.

The Best Rabbit Food & Pellets for Your Pet

Ultimately, the best rabbit food brand will depend on your bunny’s age, preferences, and any unique nutritional needs. After careful consideration and a keen look at ingredients, one of the best pellets for rabbits is Oxbow Essentials. Oxbow Essentials provides quality ingredients and is appealing to a wide range of picky rabbits, according to pet parents.

Oxbow packs a punch of nutrition with vitamins, minerals, and the appropriate levels of fiber and protein for your rabbit’s diet, whatever life stage they’re in. Plus, Oxbow is readily available online and in retail stores, so you can always grab a bag of your fluffy friend’s favorite meal.

FAQs

Can Rabbits Eat Just Pellets?

Experts agree that rabbits can survive on a diet of pellets only, but your bunny does benefit from more variety. Their overall diet should consist of mostly hay, and since pellets include mostly hay, this is a solid start. Rabbits should have unlimited access to hay (with measured servings of pellets) as it supports healthy digestion, which is essential for avoiding a clogged digestive tract. Plus, most bunnies prefer some variety, and plain pellets might result in a grumpy bun.

Do Rabbits Stop Eating When They’re Full?

Since rabbits are natural grazers, they continuously eat, and they need to. If your pet bunny stops eating, it’s usually a sign of serious illness. That said, rabbits won’t stop eating when they feel “full,” because their instincts keep them snacking. Basically, if rabbits stop eating, what experts call an “intestinal slowdown,” they can die. Providing a measured amount of pellets, small snacks of fresh vegetables, and unlimited access to hay is the best way to keep your rabbit healthy and happy.

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