Most store rabbit treats are full of seeds, sugar and colored bits. These are mostly hay and pellets, bound with a little banana and baked crisp.
They are still a treat. One or two a day is plenty.
Why your rabbit will love this
- Mostly hay and pellets
- No seeds or sugar
- Great for bonding and training
Ingredient notes
- Timothy hay pellets, ground Safe
Plain timothy-based pellets, no seeds or colored bits.
- Timothy hay, finely chopped Safe
The base of a rabbit diet. Unlimited fresh hay every day.
- Ripe banana, mashed Caution
High in sugar. A treat only.
- Rolled oats, ground Caution
Starchy; only a small amount as a binder in treats.
Homemade Timothy Hay Rabbit Treats
Hay, pellets, banana and oats, rolled thin and baked.
- 4 of 5 ingredients safety-checked, 2 marked safe
- Wheat-free
- Egg-free
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- Large Batch
Ingredients
Makes 30 treats
- SafePlain timothy-based pellets, no seeds or colored bits. Safe amount: About 1/4 cup per 5 lb.
- SafeThe base of a rabbit diet. Unlimited fresh hay every day. Safe amount: Unlimited.
- CautionHigh in sugar. A treat only. Safe amount: A coin-size slice.
- CautionStarchy; only a small amount as a binder in treats. Safe amount: Treat amounts only.
Equipment
- Blender
- Mini cookie cutter
Instructions
-
Heat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
-
Grind the pellets to a coarse powder in a blender.
-
Mix with the chopped hay, banana, oats and water into a stiff dough.
-
Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut into small shapes.
-
Bake until completely dry and hard.
-
Cool fully before storing.
Tips for success
- Chop the hay very fine with scissors so the dough holds together.
- Make the shapes about the size of a fingertip.
- Store in a paper bag, not plastic, so they stay crisp.
Storage
- Counter 14 days
- Fridge 30 days
How much to serve
1 to 2 treats a day for an average rabbit.
Last updated August 30, 2026.
How to make Homemade Timothy Hay Rabbit Treats
Homemade Timothy Hay Rabbit Treats takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and makes 30 treats. It is an easy recipe. You will need a blender and mini cookie cutter. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.
Ingredients and why they are here
You need 5 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for rabbits.
- 1 cup timothy hay pellets, ground: Plain timothy-based pellets, no seeds or colored bits.
- 1/2 cup timothy hay, finely chopped: The base of a rabbit diet. Unlimited fresh hay every day.
- 1/2 small ripe banana, mashed: High in sugar. A treat only.
- 2 tbsp rolled oats, ground: Starchy; only a small amount as a binder in treats.
- 3 tbsp water
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Grind the pellets to a coarse powder in a blender.
- Mix with the chopped hay, banana, oats and water into a stiff dough.
- Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut into small shapes.
- Bake until completely dry and hard. Allow about 30 minutes.
- Cool fully before storing.
Tips for success
- Chop the hay very fine with scissors so the dough holds together.
- Make the shapes about the size of a fingertip.
- Store in a paper bag, not plastic, so they stay crisp.
How to store it
Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.
How much to serve
1 to 2 treats a day for an average rabbit.
Swaps and variations
No ripe banana? Use unsweetened applesauce, 2 tbsp. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.
Why rabbits love it
Mostly hay and pellets. No seeds or sugar. Great for bonding and training.
Feeding tips for rabbits
A rabbit’s gut is sensitive, so add any new food in small amounts over about a week and watch the droppings. Soft or small droppings mean you should slow down. Hay should always make up most of the diet, with fresh greens second and pellets and treats a small part. Call your vet right away if your rabbit stops eating or passing droppings.
Make it ahead
To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.
What to watch for
Soft or small droppings mean you should slow down with new foods. A rabbit that stops eating or stops passing droppings for more than a few hours needs a vet urgently, because gut stasis can become serious fast. Weigh your rabbit monthly to catch weight gain from too many treats.
Safety notes
Banana: High in sugar. A treat only. Oats: Starchy; only a small amount as a binder in treats. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your rabbit. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can rabbits eat banana?
Yes, in very small amounts. It is high in sugar.
Are store rabbit treats bad?
Many contain seeds, corn and sugar. Look for hay-based treats.
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