Low-calorie hay for overweight rabbits

Your vet is right to flag the weight — and the good news is that the fix is mostly about hay, which is exactly where we should be focusing. Hay should make up around 80% of a rabbit's diet regardless, but for a rabbit that needs to slim down it becomes even more important: high-fibre, low-calorie hay fills the gut, keeps teeth worn down properly, and replaces the denser pellets and treats that are likely adding the extra weight. Pellets should be a very small supplement at this point, not a main food. Before I point you in the right direction — how old is your Rhinelander exactly, what does the vet estimate they need to lose, and what are they currently eating day to day?

That's a very clear picture, and it's a common pattern — pellets are basically fast food for rabbits, so if they're always available, hay gets ignored. At 6 she's heading into senior territory, so getting this right now really matters for her gut and her teeth long-term. First thing I'd do is cut pellets right back — for a 2kg rabbit that's roughly one to two tablespoons a day maximum, given once in the evening so she's motivated to eat hay through the day. The veg is fine in modest amounts. On the hay itself: not all hay is equal for weight loss. What you want is a grass hay that's high in fibre but lower in protein and calories than something like alfalfa. Can I ask — is she currently on a mixed meadow hay, or timothy, or do you not know what type it is?

Yeah, that's often quite dusty and low in nutritional quality, which can put rabbits off eating it. For a 6-year-old who needs to lose weight and eat more hay, I'd move her onto Oxbow Western Timothy Hay. It's the benchmark for rabbit hay — high fibre, the right protein level for adult and senior rabbits, naturally lower in calories than alfalfa or oat hay, and consistent quality batch to batch. Crucially, rabbits tend to actually eat it because it smells good and has long strands that keep them foraging. It's widely available on Amazon UK in 425g, 1.13kg, and larger bags. I'd start with the 1.13kg to see if she takes to it before committing to a bulk buy. Once she's eating hay freely and pellets are cut back, most rabbits like her reach a healthy weight within a couple of months.

It's a sensible question, but no — not for an adult rabbit eating good quality hay and a varied selection of fresh leafy greens. Pellets were originally designed to supplement hay, not replace it. A rabbit eating plenty of timothy hay and things like romaine, kale, fresh herbs, and leafy greens is getting what she needs. The only exception would be if she had a specific diagnosed deficiency, which your vet would have flagged. Keep the pellet portion small but consistent, keep the veg rotation varied, and let the hay do the heavy lifting. She'll be in much better shape for it.

You're in good hands — the vet caught it early and you're making exactly the right changes. Stick with it for 6 to 8 weeks and then let the vet weigh her again. Most rabbits adjust to the new routine within a week once the pellets stop competing with the hay. Good luck to her.