What should my rabbit eat?

Hay is the primary food source of a rabbit, and should always be available. Choose a good, fresh hay which smells like grass - musty hay will have lost its goodness - and preferably ensure that the hay is not compacted, as this can cause it to break into tiny pieces which may irritate your rabbit.

A pelletted food supplement should also be provided. Miles' vet recommends Burgess Supa Rabbit Excel, which is great for wearing down his back teeth (very important) and prevents him from being selective with his food (i.e. picking out his favourite bits and leaving the rest) which would leave him nutritionally deficient. Whatever you do though, do NOT change your rabbit's diet suddenly. Rabbit's digestive systems are extremely sensitive and your bunny could actually die if you change his diet suddenly. If you do want to change your rabbit's food type, do so gradually by mixing in increasing quantities of the new food with the old food over a period of several weeks. As you do this, check his droppings daily to make sure they are not runny (a few squashy droppings are normal, and your rabbit will often eat these to be digested again. This is normal, so don't worry).

Fresh vegetables are extremely beneficial for your rabbit, and are a far cheaper and healthier option than pet shop bought treats. A palmful of fresh veg per day is a good quantity to supply - any more could give your rabbit a runny tummy. With fresh veg supplied every day your rabbit will not need a vitamin supplement, another significant bonus as these can be expensive. Please don't give your rabbit iceberg lettuce. Contrary to popular belief, iceberg lettuce is actually not very good for your rabbit's tummy. Endive, Romaine lettuce, carrots, a little cabbage and brussels sprout tops are much better, and most of these can be frozen for long-term storage, then defrosted leaf by leaf simply by running them under a warm tap.