My rabbit eats pellets but ignores hay. What should the daily routine look like?
A rabbit’s food routine should not be built around the vegetable usually shown in cartoons. Before changing the menu, write down what your rabbit actually eats and whether hay is being consumed.
Hay and grass are the foundation
The Royal Veterinary College’s rabbit feeding guidance places good-quality hay or grass at the centre of the diet. Ask a rabbit-experienced vet about the appropriate hay, greens and pellet allowance for your rabbit’s age and health. [1]
Record what is eaten, not only what is offered
Note the hay used, where it is placed and whether the rabbit consumes it. Save the pellet label and list greens and treats. Keep the information short enough that another family member can update it consistently.
Ask before replacing the menu
Bring the record to the vet and ask how to make any advised change, what to monitor and when to recheck. Avoid a dramatic food swap simply because another rabbit owner recommends it. A growing rabbit and an adult with a health problem need different discussions. [1]
Make the routine easy to hand over
Give a sitter the written plan, your rabbit’s usual eating pattern and the clinic’s contact. Ask them to report changes promptly. A filled hay rack does not, by itself, show that the rabbit is eating normally.
Sources & reading
Editorial check: 12 October 2026. This guide is general education, not an individual diagnosis or a substitute for veterinary advice. The cited institutions have not endorsed Anist or clinically reviewed this guide. Original household checklists are Anist editorial suggestions.
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