Keeping Rabbits Healthy: Feeding Cereal Pellets and Hay

Quick answer

A healthy rabbit diet is built on unlimited hay, a measured portion of plain cereal pellets such as Copdock Mill Cereal Rabbit Pellets, and fresh water. Most diet-related problems come from too many pellets or treats and too little hay, so fix the hay-and-pellet balance first. If your rabbit stops eating, strains to toilet, or shows sudden pain, treat it as urgent and contact a vet rather than adjusting feed yourself.

Why hay and cereal pellets work together

Hay does two jobs that pellets cannot: it wears down continuously growing teeth and keeps the gut moving. Cereal pellets are a concentrated top-up that supplies consistent energy and micronutrients, which is why they are described as a complimentary compound feed. Think of hay as the everyday staple and pellets as the measured supplement, not the other way around. A rabbit that fills up on pellets will often eat less hay, and that is when teeth and digestion problems start.

How much to feed and how to change it safely

Offer a fresh handful of hay at least twice a day, and top up whenever it smells sweet and looks dry. For an average adult rabbit, a small measured scoop of cereal pellets once or twice daily is usually enough alongside hay; adjust slightly for age, activity and body condition rather than free-feeding. If you are switching pellets, mix the old and new feed over seven to ten days, increasing the new proportion gradually. Sudden changes are a common trigger for soft droppings, so slow transitions matter more than the exact brand.

Water, greens and the treats trap

Fresh water should always be available, whether from a bottle or a heavy bowl. Introduce leafy greens gradually and remove anything uneaten before it wilts. Commercial treats, seed sticks and sugary snacks are the most common hidden cause of a rabbit preferring pellets over hay. If you want to give something extra, a small piece of a safe vegetable is a better habit than a processed treat, and it keeps the hay-and-pellet routine intact.

Rabbit diet troubleshooting

• Rabbit leaves hay but eats pellets eagerly: The pellet portion is likely too large, so the rabbit fills up before eating enough hay. Reduce pellets to a measured scoop and refill hay twice daily; if hay intake does not improve within a few days, ask your vet to check teeth.
• Soft droppings or a mucky bottom: Usually caused by too many pellets, too many treats, or a sudden feed change rather than the pellet type itself. Cut treats, keep hay unlimited, and transition any new feed over seven to ten days; if droppings stay soft or the rabbit stops eating, contact a vet.
• Sudden refusal to eat or no droppings: This is not a feeding-balance problem and should not be managed by swapping pellets or adding hay alone. Stop adjusting the diet and seek veterinary care urgently; gut stasis in rabbits can worsen quickly.

Product facts

• Copdock Mill Cereal Rabbit Pellets 20kg: Copdock Mill Cereal Rabbit Pellets 20kg is a complimentary compound feed for rabbits. A large, plain pellet base makes it easier to keep portions consistent and to transition slowly from another feed.