Rabbit Hay Diet & Digestive Health

Hay is often dismissed as "just filler" for rabbits, but it's actually the cornerstone of their digestive health and overall wellbeing.

Rabbits are hindgut fermenters, meaning they rely on beneficial bacteria in their caecum to break down fibrous plant material. Hay—particularly timothy hay—provides the long-fibre content their digestive system has evolved to process. Without adequate hay intake, rabbits develop serious conditions like ileus (complete gut shutdown) and dental disease, since chewing hay naturally wears down their continuously-growing teeth.

A healthy adult rabbit should eat hay equivalent to their body size daily, supplemented with fresh greens and a small portion of pellets. Monitoring your rabbit's eating habits, faecal output, and weight is essential; changes can signal digestive distress long before it becomes critical. High-quality hay, consistent feeding routines, and plenty of space for movement all work together to keep your rabbit's gut functioning optimally.