English Lop diet for ear health

English Lops are wonderful rabbits, but those magnificent ears do make them prone to issues — and while diet won't directly fix ear problems, a strong foundation of gut health and a well-functioning immune system absolutely helps. Hay should make up around 80% of your rabbit's diet — not as a nice-to-have, but because it's what keeps the gut moving and keeps teeth worn down correctly. Pellets are a small supplement, not the main event. So tell me: how old is your lop, what are they eating day to day, and are there any current health concerns beyond the ears?

That's a really common setup, and unfortunately it's working against her. When pellets are freely available and plentiful, rabbits will always choose them — they're like fast food, quick and easy. The hay gets ignored. But a pellet-heavy diet leads to a sluggish gut, dental problems over time, and reduced overall resilience. At one year old she's at exactly the right stage to get this right before any issues develop. Can I ask — what brand of pellets is she on, and roughly how much per day?

Science Selective is a decent pellet — good choice — but yes, the quantity is too high. For an adult rabbit her size, you're looking at roughly one to two tablespoons of pellets per kilogram of body weight per day, total. The real shift I'd make is to the hay itself. The reason rabbits often ignore hay is that the quality and freshness matters enormously — dusty, dry, barn-smelling hay gets turned down. A high-quality, fragrant timothy hay changes the equation completely. I'd recommend Oxbow Western Timothy Hay. It's consistently fresh, sweet-smelling, and rabbits who previously ignored hay often take to it well. Unlimited access, always available, with pellets cut right back. That combination — quality hay, less pellets — is the single best thing you can do for her gut, her teeth, and her general resilience.

Keep it simple — that's honestly the best advice. A varied diet of fresh leafy greens daily is worthwhile: romaine lettuce, fresh herbs like parsley and coriander, the occasional dark leafy green. These support hydration and provide natural nutrients without overloading her system. Avoid sugary treats, fruit, and anything starchy. What you won't find is a supplement that specifically prevents ear issues in lops — the ear canal anatomy is structural, so what you're doing is keeping the whole rabbit in good health so her body is best placed to cope. The Oxbow hay plus reduced pellets plus daily greens is a genuinely solid, evidence-based plan for a one-year-old English Lop.

Great — make the pellet reduction gradual over a week or two so she adjusts, and put the hay somewhere she naturally hangs out rather than just in a rack she has to reach for. Many owners find placing hay next to the litter tray works brilliantly because rabbits graze while they sit. You should see her interest in hay pick up quite quickly once the pellets drop. Hope she stays in good shape — sounds like she's in good hands.