Finding the perfect rabbit food to keep your bunny healthy and happy can feel like navigating a maze! With so many pellet brands on the market all claiming to be the best, how do you decide? Get ready to hop down the bunny trail as we analyze the top picks for proper fiber, fat, protein, vitamins and more. Discover which nutrients are critical and what ingredients to avoid. We’ll showcase the pellet brands that came out on top for quality and value. Whether your rabbit is big or small, young or mature, we’ve got the scoop on the very best rabbit foods to keep their tails twtiching with joy. Read on for the full nutritional breakdown!
Fiber content in the rabbit food
Fiber is an extremely important part of a rabbit's diet. In the wild, rabbits get most of their fiber from grasses and leafy plants. The fiber in their diet helps promote healthy digestion and gut motility. When looking at pelleted rabbit foods, you want to ensure the fiber content is around 18-22% for adult rabbits. Higher fiber pellets are better for younger and senior rabbits who need more support for their digestive systems. The source and quality of fiber also matters. Look for pellets with a good amount of grass hay and alfalfa as the fiber sources rather than more fillers. Timothy grass, orchard grass and oat hulls are good sources of lignified fiber. This type of fiber is not easily digested but helps promote dental health and intestinal motility. Some brands use purified cellulose as a significant fiber source, which is not as high quality as hays and grasses. Here is a breakdown of the fiber content in some popular rabbit pellet brands:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – Minimum 22% crude fiber
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – Min 18.5% crude fiber
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – Min 22% crude fiber
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – Min 22% crude fiber
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – Min 32% crude fiber
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – 18% crude fiber
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Min 15% crude fiber
When looking at fiber content, you generally want to see a minimum of 18% crude fiber in adult rabbit pellets and higher percentages are favorable. The highest quality rabbit foods use grass hays, timothy grass, oat hulls and alfalfa as their primary fiber sources. Avoid foods with high amounts of purified cellulose.
Fat content in the rabbit food
Fat is another key nutrient to evaluate when choosing a rabbit pellet brand. In the wild, rabbits eat a very low fat diet. Too much fat can lead to obesity and other health issues in rabbits. Ideally, the fat content in rabbit pellets should be between 2-4%. Here are the fat contents of some top brands:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – 2.5% minimum crude fat
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – Min 2% crude fat
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – 2.5% minimum crude fat
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – 2.5% minimum crude fat
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – 2% minimum crude fat
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – 3% crude fat
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Min 3.5% crude fat
As you can see, most high quality brands keep the fat content to 2.5-3.5% to match the natural low fat diet of wild rabbits. Avoid pellets with higher fat contents, especially for rabbits prone to obesity. Higher fat diets increase the risk of hepatic lipidosis and other weight related issues. Stick to rabbit foods with no more than 4% fat to be safe.
Protein content in the rabbit food brands
Rabbits require protein to support their lean muscle tissue and basic body functions. When looking at pelleted rabbit foods, the ideal protein content is around 14-19% for adults. Growing bunnies and pregnant does have higher protein needs closer to 18-22%. Too little protein can cause muscle wasting while excessive protein stresses the kidneys. Here is how some popular brands compare for protein content:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – 14% minimum crude protein
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – Min 16% crude protein
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – 16.5% minimum crude protein
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – 14% minimum crude protein
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – 7% minimum crude protein
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – 15% crude protein
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Min 20% crude protein
Ideally, you want to see the adult rabbit pellet protein content in the 14-16% range. Young and pregnant rabbits have slightly higher protein needs. Grass based pellets tend to have lower protein levels around 7-10%. Avoid excessively high protein amounts over 22% which can strain kidneys. Ensure the protein comes from quality sources like alfalfa meal rather than soybean or corn glutens.
Carbohydrates in rabbit food brands
The carbohydrate content in rabbit pellets includes fiber, sugars, starches and other carbohydrates sources. Ideally, the majority of carbs should come from fiber such as grass hays, timothy grass and lignified fiber sources. Starchy vegetables like peas and corn can provide carbohydrates but high amounts may lead to excess calories. Some brands use grain products like wheat middlings, barley and oats which also contribute more carbohydrates, though grains are more controversial. Here are the total carbs in some foods:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – 26% minimum crude carbs
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – N/A % carbs
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – 28% minimum crude carbs
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – 26% minimum crude carbs
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – N/A % carbs
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – 30% total carbs
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Min 25% total carbs
Try to select pellets with more fiber-based carbs and minimal starchy veggies, grains and sugars. Though the fiber level is more important than the total carbohydrate amount. Avoid pellets with added sugars like molasses or corn syrup.
Simple sugars in rabbit food brands
One key factor to look at is the simple sugar content. Rabbits do not tolerate high amounts of simple sugars well since they are hindgut fermenters. This includes sugars like sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose and lactose. Simple sugars can cause intestinal issues and diarrhea. Most quality pellets have little or no added sugars. Here are some examples:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – No added sugars
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – No added sugars
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – No added sugars
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – No added sugars
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – No added sugars
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – No added sugars
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – No added sugars
Always avoid any pelleted rabbit food with molasses, corn syrup, sucrose or other added sugars. Even fruits and starchy vegetables provide simple sugars that rabbits cannot handle in large amounts.
Calcium in rabbit food
The ideal calcium content in adult rabbit pellets is around 0.5-0.8%. Growing rabbits and pregnant/nursing does need higher calcium around 1%. Too little calcium can lead to bone issues while excess calcium strains the kidneys. Here is the calcium content of some major brands:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – 0.7% calcium
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – Min 0.6% calcium
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – 0.7% minimum calcium
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – 0.7% minimum calcium
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – 0.41% minimum calcium
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – 0.65% calcium
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Min 0.6% calcium
For adults, look for pellets with 0.5-0.8% calcium content. Growing rabbits may need up to 1%. If giving alfalfa hay which is naturally higher in calcium, provide pellets closer to 0.5% calcium. Excessive calcium leads to sludge in the bladder and kidney issues.
Vitamins included in the rabbit food
In addition to the major nutrients, rabbits also require a variety of vitamins. Commercial rabbit pellets are typically fortified with vitamins A, D, E, K, B vitamins, vitamin C and others. Here are some examples of vitamins added:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Niacin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B12, Choline Chloride
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Riboflavin, Niacin, Panthotenic Acid, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Biotin
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Niacin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin K
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Choline Chloride, Vitamin B12
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Niacin, Thiamine, Vitamin B6, Folacin, Biotin, Vitamin B12
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Niacin, Vitamin K, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Thiamine, Riboflavin
Ensure the pellet contains added vitamins A, D, E, K, B vitamins and vitamin C for good nutritional support. Avoid pellets with minimal vitamin fortification.
Other mineral to look for in the rabbit food
In additional to major vitamins, rabbits need trace minerals for optimal health. Commercial pellets should be fortified with a variety of minerals. Here are some examples:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – Sodium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – Ferrous Carbonate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Oxide, Copper Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite
Look for added zinc, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, iodine, selenium and other minerals for balanced nutrition. Avoid foods with minimal mineral fortification.
Price of the rabbit food
When choosing a rabbit pellet brand, the price is often a key factor for owners. Cheaper pellets may fit an owner's budget better but may compromise on quality. Here are average prices for popular rabbit foods:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food – $$
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Food – $
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets – $$
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow – $$$
- Standlee Premium Western Forage® Timothy Grass Pellets – $$
- Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – $
- Brown's Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food – $
In general, lower priced foods like Kaytee and Brown's use more filler ingredients like soybean hulls, wheat middlings and corn. Higher priced brands like Oxbow use more timothy grass, alfalfa and premium ingredients. Consider how important budget vs quality ingredients are for your needs.
Conclusion: The best rabbit food pellets
When choosing the optimal rabbit pellet, you want to ensure high fiber content from good sources, low fat and sugar levels, proper protein content and balanced calcium, vitamins and minerals. Avoid high fillers like corn, wheat and soy. Based on an analysis of nutrition and ingredients, these brands stand out as top choices:
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food
- Small Pet Select Premium Rabbit Food Pellets
- Supreme Selections Adult Rabbit Food by Oxbow
These Oxbow and Small Pet Select pellets offer:
- High fiber from timothy grass, orchard grass and alfalfa
- Low fat around 2.5-3%
- Moderate protein from 14-16%
- Low calcium around 0.7%
- Balanced vitamins and minerals
- No artificial sugars or fillers
For a quality pellet with excellent nutrition and ingredients, choose these top brands for your adult rabbits. Always provide plenty of grass hay as well for optimal health. With the right diet, your bunnies will live a long and happy life.
Availability
When choosing a rabbit pellet brand, it also helps to consider availability and convenience. Here is where you can find some of the top rabbit foods:
- Oxbow products – Petco, Petsmart, independent pet stores, online retailers like Chewy and Amazon
- Small Pet Select – SmallPetSelect.com, Amazon
- Supreme Selections by Oxbow – Petco, Petsmart, independent pet stores, online retailers
- Kaytee – Petco, Petsmart, Pet Supplies Plus, independent pet stores, major retailers like Walmart and Target, online
- Sherwood Pet Health – Tractor Supply Co. stores, online
- Browns – Pet Supplies Plus, independent pet stores, online
- Standlee Timothy Grass Pellets – Tractor Supply Co., independent feed and farm stores, online
Oxbow and Kaytee foods have very wide availability both online and in-store at major retailers. Small Pet Select is primarily sold direct online with limited retailer availability. Consider your personal shopping preferences and what brands are easiest to purchase when choosing your rabbit food.