Rabbit Pellets: How to Read the Label and Avoid the Traps
Standing in front of the rabbit food aisle, it’s hard to know where to look: colourful bags, “premium” claims, appetising mixes… Yet the truth sits on the back of the pack, in the composition and analytical constituents. Here’s how to read a label like a pro.
The golden rule: uniform pellets, never muesli mixes
First distinction: uniform extruded pellets versus muesli-style mixes of seeds and flakes. Mixes have a well-documented problem: rabbits pick out only the fattiest, sweetest pieces and leave the fibrous ones behind. The result: an unbalanced ration and weight gain. Always choose pellets that are all identical, so the animal cannot be selective.
The numbers to check on the label
In the analytical constituents, ideally look for:
- Crude fibre: 18 % minimum — the single most important indicator for digestive and dental health;
- Protein: around 12 to 16 % for an adult (more for a growing youngster);
- Fat: under 4 %;
- Calcium: around 0.6 to 1 %, as an excess promotes urinary stones in some rabbits.
The ingredients list: order matters
Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity. A good sign: the first ingredient is a clearly named fibre source (timothy hay, alfalfa, dried herbs). Be wary of vague wording such as “derivatives of vegetable origin” at the top of the list, or cereals (wheat, maize) placed very high: rabbits are not grain eaters. Sugar, molasses and honey have no place in a daily food.
How much should you feed?
Pellets remain a supplement: the usual guideline is 2 to 3 % of the rabbit’s body weight per day, roughly one to two tablespoons for a 1.5 kg rabbit. The bulk of the ration is still hay, offered unlimited — our guide to choosing the right hay will help — alongside fresh greens introduced gradually.
Matching pellets to age and condition
A growing youngster (up to about six months) can have unlimited pellets, often alfalfa-based, richer in calcium and protein. In adulthood, switch to a grass-hay-based formula and a measured ration. For an elderly, neutered or overweight rabbit, the quantity shrinks further, always in favour of hay and greens. If in doubt about your rabbit’s ideal weight, your exotic vet can guide you.
Budget-wise, a bag of quality pellets costs between 5 and 15 € per kilo depending on brand and packaging. That may sound expensive, but daily quantities are so small that a one-kilo bag often lasts more than a month for a single rabbit. When changing brands, transition over one to two weeks to protect the gut flora; at the slightest sign of gut stasis, see a rabbit-savvy vet quickly. All our food comparisons are in the food section of our rabbit hub.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.