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Yes, and hay should be most of what a rabbit eats. PDSA says hay and grass should make up around 85% of the diet, ideally unlimited, and at least a bundle as big as your rabbit every day. Use a grass hay such as timothy, meadow, orchard or oat hay for adults, and keep alfalfa for young or nursing rabbits.
| Safe? | Yes, the main food |
|---|---|
| How much | Unlimited; at least a pile as big as your rabbit each day |
| How often | Every day, topped up so it never runs out |
| Best served | Fresh, sweet-smelling feeding hay |
| Watch out for | Dusty, brown, damp or spoiled hay; alfalfa for adults |
Why hay matters so much for rabbits
Rabbits are grazers built to eat grass and hay for most of the day. PDSA, the RSPCA and Medivet all put hay and grass at around 80 to 85% of a healthy rabbit diet, with leafy greens at about 10% and nuggets (pellets) at about 5%. Everything else on our rabbit safe food list sits on top of that hay.
How much hay does a rabbit need?
As much as they want. House Rabbit Society says rabbits need unlimited hay. The RSPCA puts it as a rabbit-sized bundle of good hay every day, as big as they are, and PDSA says the same: ideally unlimited, and never less than a bundle their own size. If the rack is empty by evening, give more.
Which hay is best for rabbits?
| Hay | For adults? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy hay | Yes | A grass hay; House Rabbit Society names it for adults |
| Meadow or orchard grass hay | Yes | Grass hays, good for everyday feeding |
| Oat hay | Yes | Listed as a good grass hay by House Rabbit Society |
| Alfalfa (lucerne) | No, young and nursing only | Higher in protein and calcium; for young, pregnant or nursing rabbits |
| Bedding hay | Not as food | PDSA says feeding hay is fresher and greener; bedding hay is drier |
Mixing two or three grass hays keeps things interesting. Our guide to the best rabbit food covers hay and nuggets together.
How to tell good hay from bad
- Green or pale green, not brown or yellow
- Long strands, not short dusty bits (Woodgreen warns against short, brown or dusty hay)
- Sweet smell, never musty
- Dry, with no damp patches or signs it has spoiled
Store hay somewhere dry and airy, off the floor, so it stays fresh and never turns damp or spoiled. Serving it from a rabbit hay feeder keeps it clean and off the bedding.
Young rabbits and alfalfa
House Rabbit Society gives babies from 3 to 7 weeks unlimited alfalfa hay, and young rabbits from 7 weeks to 7 months unlimited alfalfa too, before moving them to grass hay as adults. Woodgreen says alfalfa can be fed in small amounts to very young rabbits and to pregnant or nursing does. If you are unsure when to switch, ask your vet, and change hay gradually.
What goes with hay
Hay works alongside fresh grass, a small measured portion of rabbit nuggets and leafy greens such as kale. Our rabbit diet guide shows the full daily plan, and the rabbit care hub covers everything else.
Questions owners ask
Can rabbits eat hay all day?
Yes. Rabbits should have hay available all day and night. House Rabbit Society and PDSA both say hay should be unlimited, so top it up whenever the rack runs low rather than giving one fixed portion.
Can rabbits eat alfalfa hay?
Young, pregnant and nursing rabbits can. For healthy adults, grass hays such as timothy, meadow, orchard or oat hay are better, because alfalfa is richer in protein and calcium than an adult needs.
Can rabbits eat bedding hay?
It will not hurt them if they nibble it, but it should not be their food. PDSA says feeding hay is fresher and greener, while bedding hay is drier and less suited to eating. Buy hay sold for feeding.
What if my rabbit stops eating hay?
A rabbit that stops eating hay, or eats much less, needs a vet the same day. Rabbits should eat almost constantly, and PDSA treats a rabbit not eating properly as a reason to get help quickly.
