Rabbit Calorie Calculator
This free rabbit calorie calculator estimates how many calories (kcal) your rabbit needs each day from its weight and life stage, using the same resting-energy formula vets use. It also shows the daily protein, fat and water targets, a safe weight-loss plan, and — for the other kind of search — the calories in rabbit meat.
How the Rabbit Calorie Calculator Works
| Weight | Neutered/senior (×1.2) | Active adult (×1.35) | Growing (×1.9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kg (2.2 lb) | 84 kcal | 95 kcal | 133 kcal |
| 2 kg (4.4 lb) | 141 kcal | 159 kcal | 224 kcal |
| 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 167 kcal | 188 kcal | 264 kcal |
| 3 kg (6.6 lb) | 192 kcal | 215 kcal | 303 kcal |
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 281 kcal | 316 kcal | 445 kcal |
How Many Calories Does a Rabbit Need Per Day?
A typical active adult rabbit needs roughly 75 kcal per kilogram of a 2.5 kg body weight — about 188 kcal a day at 2.5 kg — but the figure depends on size and life stage. A small 1 kg dwarf needs under 100 kcal, while a 5 kg giant needs around 300–320 kcal. Split across two meals that is roughly 85–160 kcal per meal. The important part is where those calories come from: the vast majority should be low-calorie, high-fibre grass hay, with pellets and greens making up a measured remainder and treats capped at about 10%. A rabbit fed too many calorie-dense pellets or treats gains weight fast, because hay and grass are far less energy-dense than pellets.
Is the SailRabbit Calculator for Rabbits?
No — this is a common mix-up. SailRabbit is a calorie/BMR/TDEE calculator for people, popular on Reddit for working out a human’s Basal Metabolic Rate and Total Daily Energy Expenditure using formulas like Mifflin-St Jeor and Harris-Benedict. The name just happens to contain “rabbit.” If you searched “sailrabbit calorie calculator” or “rabbit calorie calculator TDEE” wanting to work out your own calories, you want a human TDEE tool. If you want to know how much to feed your pet rabbit, this page’s calculator above is the right one — rabbits don’t use human BMR/TDEE formulas.
How Many Calories Are in a Rabbit (Rabbit Meat)?
For the other common search — rabbit as food — raw rabbit meat has about 114 kcal per 100 g, with 21.8 g of protein, 2.3 g of fat and no carbohydrate. That makes it a very lean, high-protein game meat: more protein and less fat than the same weight of chicken breast, and much leaner than pork or beef. A typical 150 g serving is around 170 kcal and over 30 g of protein. Cooking method changes the total — roasting or grilling without added fat keeps it lean, while frying or rich sauces add calories. Use the Meat Calories tab above to work out any portion.
Where a Rabbit’s Calories Come From: Hay, Pellets, Greens and Treats
Not all rabbit foods are equal in calories. Grass hay is very low in calories for its volume, which is exactly why it can be unlimited — a rabbit can eat a body-sized pile and stay lean. Pellets are the energy-dense part (roughly 250–330 kcal per 100 g), so a small measured portion — about ¼ cup per 5 lb of body weight — delivers a big share of the daily calories; overfeeding them is the number-one cause of obese rabbits. Leafy greens are low-calorie and mostly water, adding vitamins without many calories. Treats and fruit are calorie-dense sugar and must stay under 10% of intake. So the calorie maths and the feeding advice point the same way: fill up on hay, measure the pellets, go easy on treats.
Helping an Overweight Rabbit Lose Weight Safely
If a vet confirms your rabbit is overweight (a body condition score above 3 out of 5, where you can’t feel the ribs), cut calories slowly. Feed for the target (ideal) weight rather than the current one — the Weight Loss tab works out that figure — and make the cut by reducing pellets and eliminating treats, never by cutting hay. Aim to lose only 1–2% of body weight per week. Rapid weight loss or fasting is dangerous for rabbits: going without food can trigger gut stasis or fatal hepatic lipidosis within a day or two. Unlimited hay plus more exercise and foraging is the safest way to bring weight down.
Frequently Asked Questions
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