How Much Hay Does a Rabbit Need?

Hay isn't a side dish for a rabbit: it's most of the diet. That changes how you measure it. Goats, sheep and horses get a ration worked out from bodyweight, but rabbit welfare guidance sets a simpler rule: a bundle as big as the rabbit, every day, and never let it run out.

The daily rule: a rabbit-sized bundle

The RSPCA's guidance is to give “at least one bundle of good quality hay every day” that is as big as the rabbit itself, and to keep hay or grass available all the time. A pair needs two such bundles, and a large breed's bundle is bigger than a dwarf's. There's no published weight in kilograms or pounds, so this site doesn't invent one.

Where hay fits in the diet

• Hay and grass: about 85%. Unlimited, good-quality, sweet-smelling and dust-free.
• Leafy greens: about 10%. A large handful of safe, washed greens, herbs and weeds daily.
• Pellets or nuggets: about 5%. The RSPCA allows 25 g (about an egg cup) per kg of bodyweight a day, and warns against topping up the bowl, because rabbits may then eat less hay. Our rabbit feed guide covers how contested pellet amounts are.

Why hay matters so much

A rabbit's digestive system needs hay or grass to work properly, and the fibre wears down teeth that never stop growing. Grazing and foraging through hay is also natural behaviour that supports a rabbit's wellbeing. The RSPCA notes that hay kept in racks or hanging baskets stays cleaner, and that putting hay close to or above the litter tray may encourage some rabbits to eat more.

Planning a supply

Because the guidance is a size, not a weight, the practical way to plan is to weigh one day's rabbit-sized bundle on kitchen scales, then multiply by the number of rabbits and the days you want to stock for. Keep hay dry, so it stays sweet-smelling and dust-free. The hay calculator covers goats, sheep and horses by weight, and shows this rabbit rule when you choose Rabbit.

Hay is dry, so fresh water matters alongside it: the RSPCA says rabbits should have clean water all day, changed twice a day. See the rabbit water guide and water calculator.

Source: RSPCA, rabbit diet advice: rspca.org.uk. Sources checked: October 2026. General information, not a diet plan from a vet.

Common questions

How much hay does a rabbit need a day?

At least one bundle of good-quality hay a day that's as big as the rabbit itself, according to the RSPCA, with hay available at all times. Unlike goats or horses, rabbits don't get a weighed ration.

Should rabbits have unlimited hay?

Yes. The RSPCA says rabbits should always have unlimited access to good-quality hay or grass, because it should be the main part of their diet.

What percentage of a rabbit's diet should be hay?

About 85% hay and grass, 10% leafy greens and 5% pellets or nuggets, in the RSPCA's guidance.

What if my rabbit won't eat hay?

See a vet first, because dental disease can make chewing uncomfortable. If the vet finds no health problem, the RSPCA suggests trying a different type of hay or a different supplier.