Why Hay is so Important

One of the most important decisions pet owners make for their animal’s health is choosing the best food for their pet. For any rabbit or guinea pig, large amounts of high-quality hay is vital for their well-being. In fact, hay is so important for these small furry friends that veterinarians recommend a diet that consists of at least 80% grass hay.

What is it about hay that makes it so important for these animals’ diets? Along with satisfying key nutritional needs, hay is responsible for keeping the digestive system of a small herbivore working optimally. As it does for humans, fiber is the key component for keeping the GI tract healthy and grass hay is loaded with healthy fiber. A rabbit or guinea pig is only happy when they are consuming large amounts of hay and letting the fiber do its job to keep their internal systems healthy.

High-quality hay is also responsible for maintaining proper dental health for any small herbivore. Rabbits’ and guinea pigs’ teeth never stop growing so they have a natural urge to snack and chew. The constant chewing motion ensures that teeth are worn down to a healthy state.

There are many other benefits for a rabbit or guinea pig to consume grass hay other than diet and dental health alone. A constant supply of high-quality hay also allows small herbivores to satisfy many of their natural instincts. The ability to forage and burrow is essential to a happy rabbit or guinea pig as it is an activity done in the wild. A constant supply of hay allows our furry companions access to comfortable bedding and even a place for bathroom time.

Rabbits and guinea pigs should have constant access to fresh hay to allow them to fulfill their basic needs. Just like us humans, rabbits and guinea pigs can be picky. In the wild, these animals would have access to many different kinds of plants and naturally crave variety. Providing different options can be extremely fun and enriching for your pet.

All grass hay varieties offer the appropriate benefits to rabbits and guinea pigs. When it comes to making a purchasing decision, Timothy Grass is the most common hay fed to rabbits and guinea pigs. Branching out to Orchard Grass or our Prairie Hay is an easy way to provide variety with all the same benefits found in Timothy Grass. We encourage you to try all three and see which your pet prefers.