All of my Holland Lops are currently eating 1/2 a cup of food once a day(if not pregnant, growing, or nursing), I find that this is the amount that keeps them happy and healthy.
If you find yourself struggling to find the appropriate amount of feed, the best way to figure that out is observing your rabbits eating behaviors. If a rabbit is acting like they have been starving all day when you feed them, they could probably use some extra food. If they ignore the food, try feeding less. Of course all rabbits are different and some rabbits (especially bucks) tend to act like the world will end if they don’t get their food.
Currently I am feeding Blue Seal/Kent Show Hutch Deluxe(17% protein). It is an extruded pellet which means that it does not contain any binders such as molasses and it also helps prevent selective eating as each pellet contains all nutrients.
I recommend that anyone who has a pet rabbit switch to a 12-15% protein feed as a higher protein in rabbits that are not breeding, has been linked to kidney problems and digestive strain.
However, there are some studies that show that feeding a higher protein precent to rabbits under the age of six months can help support growth and overall health. In my opinion this is a matter of personal preference, and veterinary expertise.
Rabbits should also be fed a high quality hay, preferably Timothy. This should make up the bulk of their diet as it provides crucial fiber which helps feed healthy gut bacteria.
Alfalfa Hay should not be fed to any rabbit that is not nursing or under the age of six months (personally I do not feed alfalfa at all, because it makes the transition to Timothy much harder) because it can cause kidney stones and obesity in rabbits.
Your rabbit should also have constant access to clean fresh water. This is important because if a rabbit does not have access to water they may stop eating. The two main sources of water for rabbits are from either a water bottle nozzle which has small metal balls inside which stop the water flow unless they are pressed or a bowl which is pretty self explanatory. My rabbits are currently drinking from bowls.
Treats are only to be given in moderation, and should not exceed 5% of your rabbits diet. Popular rabbit treats include baked hay cookies, oatmeal(not cooked), fruit slices in strict moderation, certain types of veggies and more.
Poisonous foods for rabbits, include but are not limited to: most fruit seeds and pits, chocolate, iceberg lettuce, most cooked foods, corn, cauliflower, and rhubarb, potato, and tomato leaves. These foods are highly toxic and should not be fed to your rabbit under any circumstances.
If you liked this post, you may also like: