Unlimited hay
Healthy adults should have constant access to clean grass hay. Heart Hopper Giants feeds locally grown, second-cut orchard grass sourced from Dan Devries, usually available in September. Hay supports digestion and natural tooth wear.
Back to homeFLEMISH GIANT CARE
Feeding your
gentle giant.
Feeding a Flemish Giant takes planning. They need unlimited hay and water, a measured plain pellet, and greens introduced gradually. Use this guide to understand the starting routine.
THE FOUNDATION
Learn the routine.
Keep it consistent.
Fresh water
Provide fresh, clean water daily. Our breeder recommends temporarily offering a 50/50 mixture of pineapple juice and water to encourage drinking during travel or while nursing. Keep plain water available too, and contact a rabbit-experienced veterinarian promptly if drinking decreases.
Measured pellets
Choose a plain, uniform, high-fiber rabbit pellet. Avoid mixes containing colorful pieces, corn, nuts, seeds, or added sweets.
Leafy greens
Introduce rabbit-safe greens gradually, one at a time. Approximate calcium by fresh weight, listed from lower to higher:
- Romaine lettuce0.02–0.04%
- Broccoli0.04–0.07%
- Cilantro0.07%
- Bok choy0.07–0.11%
- Watercress0.10–0.12%
- Mustard greens0.12%
- Parsley0.12–0.14%
- Kale0.09–0.15%
- Collard greens0.11–0.23%
- Basil0.18%
- Dandelion leaves0.19–0.21%
- Dill0.21%
- Mint0.24%
- Carrot tops0.34%
- CloverVaries by type
Carrots0.02–0.03% calcium
Carrots are not high in calcium, but they are high in natural sugar. Offer only a small piece as an occasional treat.
Lower calcium → high calcium High calcium does not mean forbidden. Rotate these greens to avoid a high-calcium daily intake. Values are approximate; variety and growing conditions can change calcium content.
ADULT STARTING MEASUREMENTS
Measure first.
Adjust by condition.
Use a standard 8-fluid-ounce measuring cup. These are practical starting points for healthy, nonbreeding adults—not prescriptions. Follow the pellet label and a rabbit-experienced veterinarian, especially for rabbits that are young, elderly, pregnant, nursing, underweight, or ill.
| Adult weight | Plain pellets / day | Leafy greens / day |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | ½ cup | 3–4 packed cups |
| 12 lb | ½–⅔ cup | About 4 cups |
| 15 lb | ¾ cup | About 5 cups |
| 18 lb | ¾–1 cup | About 6 cups |
- Hay: unlimited—offer at least a rabbit-sized mound and refill before it is gone.
- Water: often about 50–100 mL per kg daily; a 15 lb rabbit may drink roughly 12–23 fl oz (350–680 mL), and more in heat.
- Pellets: divide into two meals. For example, ¾ cup daily equals ⅜ cup morning and evening.
- Greens: begin with a small handful and increase gradually only if appetite and droppings remain normal.
PELLET GUIDELINES
Choose an 18%
protein pellet.
Heart Hopper Giants feeds a plain rabbit pellet with 18% crude protein. The exact amount still depends on the product, rabbit, age, and body condition. Always follow the feed label and veterinarian’s advice.
VERIFIED 18% FEEDS
Look for these bags.
These are examples of complete rabbit feeds whose manufacturers list 18% minimum crude protein. Check the current guaranteed analysis on every bag before buying because formulas can change.
18% crude protein
NatureWise® 18% Performance
Identified by the manufacturer for growth and developing rabbits, including large breeds.
View manufacturer details →
18% crude protein · 18% minimum fiber
Kalmbach® 18% Best-in-Show
A complete mini-pellet feed listed by the manufacturer for all classes and life stages of rabbits.
View manufacturer details →
Breeder recommended · choose the 18% bag
Manna Pro® Select Series GRO
The green-bag growth formula recommended by our breeder for young and giant-breed rabbits. Formulas can vary, so buy it only when the guaranteed analysis printed on the bag lists 18% crude protein.
View current product listing →Changing feeds? Mix the new and old pellets gradually over 7–10 days. Watch appetite and droppings closely.
YOUNG & GROWING
Building a healthy giant
Young Flemish Giants need more concentrated nutrition than mature adults. Alfalfa hay and a suitable growth pellet may be appropriate, but follow the breeder’s routine, the product label, and veterinary guidance.
- 8–12 weeks: keep the breeder’s exact hay and pellet routine during the move home.
- 3–6 months: provide unlimited hay and divide the growth-pellet label amount into two meals.
- 6–12 months: monitor weight and body condition while gradually moving toward an adult ration as advised.
- Make every food transition slowly over 7–14 days.
- Avoid granola, sugary treats, and sudden new greens.
HEALTHY ADULTS
Maintaining good condition
A healthy adult Flemish Giant generally does best with unlimited grass hay, measured pellets, fresh water, and gradually introduced greens. A starting point may be about ¾ cup of pellets daily, divided into two meals, then adjusted for the individual rabbit.
- Feel the ribs and monitor weight regularly.
- Reduce concentrated treats if weight increases.
- Seek veterinary help for appetite or stool changes.
TREATS & “RABBIT GRANOLA”
A treat—not a complete diet.
Rabbit granola is an informal treat mixture that may contain rolled oats, dried herbs, flowers, seeds, or dried fruit. It should never replace hay or balanced pellets.
For a healthy adult Flemish Giant, keep all concentrated treats small. Young rabbits should generally not receive granola treats.
Treat limitsMixed low-sugar granola: 1–2 teaspoons, only a few times weeklyPlain rolled oats: 1 teaspoonFresh fruit: one 1-inch pieceDried fruit: one ½-inch piece
Foods to avoid or never feed:Honey, molasses, or added sugarNuts, corn, or lots of seedsColorful cereal or muesli piecesYogurt drops or dairy productsChocolate or caffeineOnion, garlic, chives, or leeksAvocado or rhubarbRaw beansIceberg lettuce—low nutrition and may upset digestionMoldy, spoiled, or contaminated feedLawn clippingsUnknown or chemically treated plants
Loss of appetite, fewer droppings, diarrhea, bloating, or unusual behavior can be urgent in rabbits. Contact a rabbit-experienced veterinarian promptly. This guide is educational and does not replace veterinary care.