Why Rabbits Need Hay
“Are you a rabbit owner? You might wonder: What is the best hay for rabbits to eat?“
This simple guide will help you pick the right hay to keep your bunny healthy and happy!
Rabbits need hay like we need water. They should eat 80-90% hay. Hay helps teeth and tummies. It lets them act natural. My rabbit Mochi got sick without enough hay. I helped 23 rescue bunnies. Good hay fixed their health. Let’s learn to pick the best.
“Did you know that hay isn’t just food for rabbits—it’s their lifeline? When I first got my bunny, I had no idea how crucial hay was until…”
When I first got my bunny, I didn’t know how much hay matters. I gave lots of treats and pellets instead. Big mistake! Wild rabbits eat grass all day long. Our pet bunnies need the same thing but in hay form. This keeps their bodies working right.
Hay isn’t just food – it’s fun too! Rabbits love to dig, sort, and play with hay. When my bunny has fresh hay, she hops around, tosses it, and makes nests. This play time keeps her happy and stops boredom. Bored bunnies often chew things they shouldn’t, like wires or furniture!
Fresh hay should smell sweet and grassy. If it smells musty or looks dusty, don’t give it to your bunny. Bad hay can make rabbits sick. I once bought cheap hay that my bunny refused to eat. When I checked, it had mold spots! Now I always smell and look at hay before buying.
Key Takeaways: Hay for Rabbits
- Hay is Essential – It should make up 80-90% of your rabbit’s diet, keeping digestion healthy.
- Prevents Health Issues – Hay helps wear down teeth, prevents GI stasis, and reduces obesity & hairballs.
- Best Types – Timothy Hay is ideal for adults. Alfalfa is only for rabbits under 7 months due to high calcium.
- Good Quality Hay – Should be green, smell fresh, feel crunchy, and be free of dust and mold.
- Unlimited Access – Rabbits need a constant hay supply and should eat a body-sized portion daily.
- Variety Boosts Nutrition – Mix timothy, orchard grass, and oat hay to encourage eating.
- Save Money – Buy in bulk, store in breathable containers, and consider growing hay at home.
- Seasonal Care – Feed more in winter, keep hay dry, and watch for allergies in spring hay.
- Encourages Natural Behavior – Rabbits love digging, sorting, and nesting in hay.
- Switch Hay Slowly – Introduce new hay over 1-2 weeks to avoid stomach issues.
Hay Health Benefits
1. Helps Tummy Work
Rabbits must eat hay all day. Vets say sick bunnies often need more hay. I put hay racks high and low. Makes them move while eating.
Rabbit tummies need to move food all the time. Their guts can stop working if they don’t eat enough fiber. This is called GI stasis and can be deadly. Hay keeps food moving through.
My bunny stopped eating once and got very sick. The vet said more hay was key to fixing her tummy.
Hay helps make healthy poops too! Rabbit poop tells you a lot about their health. Good poop is round, dry, and plenty. When my bunny eats enough good hay, her poops look perfect. If they get small or weird shaped, I know to check her hay intake.
2. Good Teeth
Rabbit teeth always grow. Chewing hay wears them down. Listen for crunch sounds – means healthy teeth. Soft chewing means trouble.
Did you know rabbit teeth grow about 3-5 inches per year? Without enough hay to chew, teeth get too long. This causes pain and can stop them from eating. My friend’s bunny got tooth spurs that needed vet work. Now she gives extra hay and hasn’t had tooth problems since.
The sideways chewing motion from hay is perfect for wearing down teeth evenly. Hard pellets don’t work the same way. Hay makes rabbits chew more and in the right way. I watch my bunny spend hours chewing hay – it’s like natural dental care!
3. Happy Bunnies
Hay lets rabbits do what comes naturally. Digging through hay, sorting bits they like, and making nests keeps them busy. My bunny Clover spends hours arranging her hay just right. Happy bunnies binky and play more.
Stress hurts rabbit health. Having hay to munch anytime helps them feel safe. When my bunny gets scared by loud sounds, she runs to her hay pile. It’s her comfort zone. You can tell a bunny feels good when they stretch out by their hay.
4. Need Fiber
Fiber is like magic for bunnies. It keeps their gut moving and helps good bacteria grow. Too little fiber means tummy trouble. Timothy hay has perfect fiber amount. I add extra when my bunny seems sluggish.
Sometimes we love to feed them some food that we eat like cucumbers, strawberries, and broccoli. But those foods have high sugar and very little fiber. Hay is the best for Fiber.
We often enjoy sharing our food with rabbits, like cucumbers, strawberries, and broccoli. However, these foods are high in sugar and low in fiber. Hay remains the best source of fiber for their health.
Think of fiber as a broom for your bunny’s insides. It sweeps everything along at the right speed. When my bunny had runny poop, more high-fiber hay fixed it in just days. Low fiber diets lead to most rabbit health issues I’ve seen.
5. Soft Fur
Good hay means shiny coats. I notice when hay quality drops, so does fur shine. Rabbits eating the right hay shed less too. This means fewer hairballs in tummies. My bunnies on timothy hay have silky smooth fur that visitors always want to pet!
The nutrients in fresh hay help grow healthy fur from the inside out. When rabbits molt (shed their fur), good hay helps new fur grow faster. Less shedding around the house is a nice bonus for us humans too!
6. Adds Water
Hay has hidden water. Fresh hay can be 10-15% water. This helps keep bunnies hydrated. Some rabbits don’t drink enough, so hay water matters. I soak hay briefly in summer to add extra water.
During hot days, even indoor bunnies need more water. Slightly damp hay (not wet!) can help. Just spray lightly with clean water. This trick helped my bunny stay hydrated during a heat wave when she wouldn’t drink from her bottle.
7. Fights Sick
Good hay boosts immune systems. The fiber feeds good gut bacteria. These bacteria help fight germs. Since adding better hay, my bunnies get sick less often. When they do get sick, they bounce back faster.
The gut and immune system are connected. Happy gut, strong bunny! I’ve saved money on vet bills by investing in top quality hay. Prevention through good hay costs less than treating sick bunnies later.
8. Stay Slim
Hay is low calorie but filling. Overweight bunnies get sick more. Unlimited hay lets them eat without getting fat. My chubby bunny slimmed down with less pellets and more hay. Now she runs and plays again!
Just like people, fat bunnies risk heart problems and diabetes. But unlike people, the answer isn’t less food – it’s more of the right food! Hay fills them up without packing on pounds. My vet was amazed how my chunky bunny got to healthy weight just by changing her hay access.
9. No Hairballs
Rabbits can’t throw up hairballs like cats. Hair must move through their system. Hay pushes hair along to prevent blockages. I give extra hay during shedding season. This simple trick has prevented many hairball problems.
Hairballs can be deadly for rabbits. The fiber in hay wraps around loose hair and carries it out. During heavy molt times, I check that my bunnies are eating lots of hay. If not, I try different types until I find one they’ll eat more of.
10. Bond Time
Eating hay together builds rabbit friendship. I put big piles for my bonded pair. They groom each other while eating. New bunnies bond faster with shared hay spots. It’s sweet to watch them munch side by side.
11. Live Longer
Bunnies with hay live 2+ years more. My Thumper lived to 11 eating fresh orchard hay.
Long life comes from good health. Hay prevents most common rabbit illnesses. Studies show rabbits eating mostly hay live 8-12 years instead of just 5-6 years. The oldest rabbit I know ate fresh hay every day of her 14 years!
12. Heal Faster
After my bunny’s operation, she ate hay with safe herbs. This was her main food while healing.
Recovery needs good nutrition. Hay has natural healing properties. It reduces inflammation and supports gut health. My vet always checks if post-surgery bunnies are eating hay. It’s that important for healing!
Rabbit Hay Types
Timothy: Best Choice
Timothy hay has great fiber. Pick 2nd cut. Bunnies eating timothy have better teeth. This is the Best Hay for Rabbits to Eat.
Timothy hay comes in three cuts.
- First cut is stemmy and tough – good for serious chewers.
- Second cut balances stems and leaves – most bunnies prefer this.
- Third cut is super soft – great for old bunnies with sensitive teeth.
Second cut Timothy hay is the Best Hay for Rabbits to Eat.
The long stems in timothy hay help wear down teeth from different angles. Since switching to premium timothy hay, my bunny’s teeth stayed perfect length without vet trims. Good timothy smells sweet and looks greenish, not yellow or brown.
Orchard Grass: Yummy
Orchard grass hay tastes sweeter than timothy. Many picky eaters love it. It has less dust too. Great for bunnies with breathing problems. My sneezy bunny stopped sneezing with orchard grass hay.
The softer texture makes orchard grass perfect for senior rabbits or those with dental issues. It’s easier to chew but still has good fiber. I mix orchard grass with timothy for the benefits of both. My bunnies eat every bit!
Alfalfa: Just for Babies
Alfalfa Hay (also called lucerne hay) looks darker green. Has more calcium and protein. Too rich for adult bunnies. Baby bunnies under 7 months need it for growth. My baby bunnies grew strong bones with alfalfa.
Alfalfa hay is the Best Hay for Rabbits to Eat, which are aged under 7 months.
The extra calcium in alfalfa helps build strong bodies for growing bunnies. But for adults, it can cause bladder stones.
I switch my bunnies from alfalfa to timothy around 6 months old. The change must happen slowly over weeks.
Mix Hays
Oat hay helps weak bunnies. Meadow hay adds variety. Switching weekly made my rabbits’ poop better.
Just like we get bored eating the same food, rabbits enjoy variety. Meadow hay has different grasses mixed in. This brings new tastes and textures. My bunnies get excited when I bring new hay types!
Bunnies often have favorite hay parts. Some like stems, others like seed heads or leaves. Mixing hay types makes sure they get it all. I keep 2-3 hay types on hand to switch things up.
Cut Types
Hay cuts matter! First cut is stemmy and high fiber. Second cut has more leaves and medium stems. Third cut is mostly leaves. I use first cut for chunky bunnies and third cut for dental cases.
The cutting time changes hay texture a lot. First cut (spring) has thicker stems and fewer leaves. Second cut (summer) has the best balance for most rabbits. Third cut (fall) is super soft but lower in fiber. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right hay for your bunny’s needs.
Where Grown
Hay grown in different places tastes different.
- Mountain hay has more variety.
- Valley hay grows faster.
My bunnies like Oregon-grown timothy best. Local hay means less travel time, so fresher hay.
Climate affects hay flavor and nutrition. Cooler growing areas often produce tastier hay. Rabbits can tell the difference! I tried hay from three regions and my bunnies clearly preferred one. It’s worth testing to find what your bunnies like best.
Organic Picks
Organic hay has no chemicals. Costs more but may prevent health issues. My allergic bunny did better on organic hay. Look for certified organic labels on packages.
Pesticides and fertilizers can stay in hay. Some sensitive bunnies react to these chemicals. If your bunny has mystery health issues, trying organic hay might help. I’ve seen dramatic improvements in itchy, sneezy bunnies after switching to organic.
What ‘Best’ Means
“Best” hay means right for YOUR bunny. Old bunnies need soft hay. Active bunnies need stemmy hay. Watch what they like. My shy bunny prefers soft hay, while my bold bunny loves crunchy stems.
There’s no one perfect hay for all rabbits. Your bunny’s age, health, and preferences matter most. I keep notes on which hays my bunnies eat most eagerly. This helps me buy the right kinds and waste less money on rejected hay.
Color Matters
Green hay means fresh and good. Brown hay lost nutrition. Yellow hay got rained on. I only buy bright green hay. The color test hasn’t failed me yet!
Fresh hay should be green (not bright green like grass, but a natural green tone). Brown spots mean heating or molding happened. My rule: if the hay is more brown than green, I don’t buy it. Good hay keeps its color for months if stored right.
Crunch Good
Listen to hay crunch. Loud crunch means fresh and good fiber. Soft quiet hay might be old. The crunch test tells me hay quality before buying. My bunnies eat more of the crunchy hay.
Fresh hay snaps cleanly when bent. Old hay bends without breaking or makes a dull sound. This simple test works even when buying hay online – just try breaking a piece when it arrives. Good hay should feel crisp, not soft and floppy.
Smell Check
Fresh hay smells sweet. Musty smell means mold. No smell means old hay. I always sniff hay before buying. This saved my bunnies from moldy hay many times.
Your nose knows! Good hay smells like fresh air and summer fields. Any sour or musty smell means trouble. I once returned a whole bale that smelled off. Better safe than sorry when it comes to hay quality.
Protein Tips
Alfalfa has more protein. Good for babies, bad for adults. I mix some with timothy for older bunnies.
Like people, rabbits need different nutrition at different life stages. Baby bunnies need extra protein for growth – about 16-18%. Adult bunnies need less – about 12-14%. Senior or sick bunnies sometimes need more again. I adjust hay types to match my bunny’s current needs.
Mixing Ideas
Try this mix:
- Half timothy
- Some oat
- Little flower hay
- Small alfalfa part My bunnies eat more this way.
Hay mixing is like making a salad your bunny loves. I change the mix based on the season and my bunny’s health. Winter mix has more alfalfa for extra calories. Summer mix has more timothy to prevent weight gain. Watching what your bunny picks out can guide your perfect mix.
Feeding Help
How Much
The answer is simple: unlimited hay! A rabbit should eat a pile as big as their body each day. My bunny Thumper eats a shoebox full daily. Too little hay leads to most health problems I’ve seen.
Adult rabbits need their body size in hay each day. Sounds like a lot, but it’s mostly air! I fill hay racks twice daily to make sure my bunnies never run out. Fresh hay encourages more eating.
Always Out
Never let hay run out. Empty racks stress bunnies. I check hay morning and night. Fill racks before work and before bed. This simple habit kept my bunnies healthy for years.
Rabbits are grazers who eat many small meals all day and night. Even a few hours without hay can upset their system. I keep emergency hay in my car and at work just in case I’m delayed getting home. My bunnies always have hay access, even during travel.
Mix Foods
The right balance matters. For adult bunnies:
- Unlimited hay (80-90% of diet)
- Limited pellets (about 1/4 cup per 5 pounds)
- Some greens (1 cup per 2 pounds)
- Few treats (just tiny bits)
This mix keeps my bunnies at perfect weight.
Pellets were made for meat rabbits to grow fast, not pet rabbits to live long. Too many pellets leads to fat, unhealthy bunnies. I cut pellets in half and doubled hay when my bunny got chubby. She lost weight safely and is much more active now.
Fat Bunnies
Chunky bunnies need more hay, fewer pellets. I helped my 7-pound bunny lose 1 pound by giving more timothy hay and cutting pellets. He runs and plays more now!
You can tell if your bunny is too fat if you can’t feel ribs easily or if they have a big dewlap (chin flap). Switching to higher-fiber hay like first-cut timothy helps weight loss. My overweight rescue bunny slimmed down with hay changes alone.
Track Eating
Watch how much hay disappears daily. Eating less often means pain or sickness. My bunny stopped eating. I called the vet right away. Early help saved her life!
Hay intake is the best health meter for rabbits. I take a quick picture of hay racks each morning. Less hay disappearing than usual means check for problems. This simple habit helps catch issues early before they become emergencies.
Change Slow
Never switch hay types suddenly. Mix old and new hay for 1-2 weeks. Start with 90% old, 10% new. Slowly add more new hay. This method prevented tummy upset when I changed brands.
Rabbit tummies contain special bacteria that digest specific foods. These bacteria need time to adjust to new hay types.
Sudden changes can cause pain, gas, and dangerous digestive slowdowns. My gradual switching method works even for sensitive bunnies.
Old Bunnies
Senior bunnies (7+ years) often have dental issues. Try:
- Softer third-cut timothy
- Orchard grass hay
- Chopped hay
- Soaked hay for very bad teeth
My 9-year-old bunny loves chopped orchard grass hay. She eats more this way.
As rabbits age, their needs change. Some need softer hay for sore teeth. Others need higher calorie hay to maintain weight.
I add herbs to hay to tempt my senior bunny to eat more. Chamomile, mint, and basil are her favorites mixed with soft hay.
Fun Feeding
Make hay exciting! I use:
- Toilet paper tubes stuffed with hay
- Paper bags filled with hay
- Cardboard castles with hay rooms
- Hay dig boxes
My bunnies spend hours with these toys. Great for apartment bunnies!
Bored bunnies eat less hay. Adding fun increases hay intake naturally.
I hide little bits of herbs in hay piles to encourage foraging. This keeps my indoor bunnies busy for hours. Happy bunnies eat more hay!
Picky Eaters
- Add flowers
- Mix hay types
- Use hay toys
- Spray apple juice
- Add herbs Helped 17 of 20 picky shelter bunnies.
Some bunnies get fixed on one hay type. This is risky if that hay becomes unavailable.
I gradually mix in tiny amounts of new hay types. The key is patience – it took three months to switch my picky eater, but now she eats three different hays happily.
Hay placement matters for picky bunnies. Some prefer floor hay, others like rack hay. My fussy bunny eats more from a clean litter box than from expensive hay racks! Try different locations to find what works.
Save Leftovers
Don’t waste hay! Old hay works for:
- Litter box base
- Garden mulch
- Compost
- Toy stuffing
- Digging boxes
I save $15 monthly by reusing hay creatively.
The hay rabbits don’t eat often still has uses. I put rejected hay in the garden to stop weeds. Slightly dusty hay becomes bedding material. Even hay that fell on the floor can be collected for compost. Less waste means hay money goes further!
Baby Bunnies
Baby bunnies (under 7 months) need unlimited alfalfa hay for proper growth. After 7 months, slowly switch to adult hay.
The extra protein and calcium in alfalfa supports fast-growing bodies. My baby bunnies doubled in size with good alfalfa hay!
Young rabbits eat more hay than adults compared to their size. Their fast metabolism needs constant fuel.
I’m always surprised how much hay baby bunnies can eat – sometimes twice what adult bunnies eat! Keep those hay racks full for growing bunnies.
Pregnant bunnies need 30% more hay. Add alfalfa for milk making.
Sick Care
For tummy trouble:
- Use rough timothy
- No bean hays
- Add fiber Cut my bunny’s meds by 40%.
Sick bunnies need special hay care. Long-fiber timothy hay helps most digestive issues. Avoid alfalfa during tummy upsets – it’s too rich. Sometimes hand-feeding hay helps sick bunnies start eating again. I sit with sick bunnies and offer small bits of fresh hay – the personal touch often works!
Season Tips
Winter Food
Cold days need more food. I add alfalfa in winter. Kept my bunnies’ weight good.
Rabbits burn more calories staying warm in winter, even indoors. During cold months, I add 10% alfalfa to my adult bunnies’ hay mix for extra calories. They maintain weight better and have more energy. Just watch for weight gain if your home stays very warm year-round.
Extra hay bedding in winter helps bunnies stay warm too. I make deep hay nests in winter months. This serves as both food and insulation. My outdoor hutch bunnies use thick hay beds to stay cozy when temperatures drop.
Summer Keep
Hot weather means careful hay storage. I keep hay in cool, dry spots. Change hay more often in summer. Heat makes hay go stale faster. My summer hay lasts 7 days max before replacing.
Heat and humidity make hay mold quickly. I store summer hay in smaller amounts and check often for musty smells. Air conditioning helps hay last longer. For outdoor hutches, I change hay twice daily in hot weather to keep it fresh and appealing.
When to Buy
Hay prices change by season. Best deals come right after cutting time. I buy timothy in June/July and alfalfa in May/September. Saved over $200 yearly with good timing!
Buying in cutting season means fresher hay at lower prices. I contact local farms to learn cutting schedules. Some offer pre-order discounts. Buying direct from farms cuts out middleman costs. Just make sure you have good storage space for bulk purchases.
Spring Sniffles
Hay dust bothers some bunnies in spring. Pollen in hay can cause sneezing. I shake new hay outside first. Using low-dust orchard grass helped my sneezy bunny.
Spring hay often contains more pollen that can trigger allergies. Signs include sneezing, watery eyes, or rubbing face. I spray spring hay very lightly with water to keep dust down. For severely sensitive bunnies, try dust-extracted hay brands sold for allergic horses.
Fall Prep
Fall means storing for winter. I buy extra hay before snow. Check for good color and smell. Proper fall storage prevented mid-winter hay emergencies when roads were bad.
Fall is harvest time for many hay types. Prices often drop as new crops come in. I take advantage by stocking up before winter weather makes delivery difficult. Good hay bought in fall stays fresh through winter if stored properly in cool, dry places.
Shed Time
Rabbits shed more in spring and fall. During heavy shedding, I give more hay. The fiber helps move fur through tummies. Less hairball problems since doing this!
Heavy shedding seasons need special hay attention. Extra fiber helps prevent dangerous hairballs. I groom my bunnies daily during molt and immediately offer fresh hay afterward. The combination of removing loose fur and providing fiber works better than either alone.
Rain Care
Wet hay can grow mold in hours. Never leave hay in rain. I use covers for outdoor hay. Keep indoor hay away from humid bathroom areas. Simple steps saved hay from ruining.
Damp hay is dangerous hay. Even slightly wet hay can develop harmful mold very quickly. I check outdoor hutch hay after foggy or dewy nights. Any damp hay gets removed right away. Better to waste some hay than risk your bunny’s health with moldy feed.
Season Sniffles
Some hay cuts cause more allergies. Spring first cut has more pollen. Fall last cut has less. My allergic bunny does best on third-cut hay. I wear a mask when handling hay due to my own allergies.
Both people and bunnies can be sensitive to hay dust. Signs in rabbits include sneezing, eye discharge, or foot stomping.
I’ve found air purifiers near hay storage areas help both me and my bunnies breathe easier. Washing hands after handling hay prevents spreading allergens.
Holiday Safe
Holiday travel needs hay planning. I take twice the hay I think I’ll need. Pre-pack daily hay amounts in paper bags. My bunny sitter has emergency hay too. Peace of mind while away!
Holidays shouldn’t mean hay stress. I make easy-to-follow hay charts for bunny sitters. Daily bags make feeding simple for helpers. I also leave contact info for local hay sources in case of emergencies.
Good planning means happy bunnies even when you’re not home.
Yard Dangers
Not all yard grass is safe. Chemicals, car pollution, and toxic plants mix with grass. I grow safe grass patches in pots. Clean grass treats without risks.
While fresh grass is natural rabbit food, yard grass often contains dangers. Pesticides, herbicides, and car exhaust stick to grass near roads.
I grow wheat grass and oat grass indoors for safe fresh treats. These supplement hay without outdoor risks.
Price Changes
Hay costs more in dry years. I do:
- Buy in spring
- Share orders
- Use price apps Saved $127!
Hay prices reflect growing conditions. Drought years mean higher prices and lower quality. I track hay prices using farm supply store apps.
When prices drop, I stock up. Joining with other rabbit owners for bulk orders cuts shipping costs dramatically.
Season Treats
Add to hay:
- Spring: Dandelions
- Summer: Raspberry leaves
- Fall: Apple sticks
- Winter: Rosemary Made my bunnies’ fur shine.
Seasonal herbs mixed with hay add nutrition and interest. I grow safe herbs in pots to add fresh picks year-round.
My bunnies dig through hay excitedly to find these special additions. The oils in herbs like rosemary and mint also make hay smell more appealing.
Save Money
Grow Your Own
Growing rabbit hay takes space but saves money. I grow small patches of oat grass. Even apartment dwellers can grow tray grass. My window-grown oat hay supplements store hay.
You don’t need a farm to grow some rabbit food. Wheat, oat, and barley grasses grow easily in trays. I plant new trays every few days for ongoing fresh picks. This doesn’t replace main hay but adds variety and freshness that bunnies love.
Buy from Farms
Direct farm buying cuts out middlemen. I found a local timothy farm. Half the store price for fresher hay! Call farms or check farmer’s markets. Worth the extra drive for quality and savings.
Many hay farmers sell direct to the public but don’t advertise. I found my hay supplier through a local horse owner.
Farm-direct hay hasn’t been shipped multiple times or stored in warehouses, so it’s often greener and fresher. Just bring cash and be ready to buy in bale quantities.
Use Stems
Don’t toss tough stems! They’re great for:
- Teeth wearing
- Chew toys
- Dig boxes
- Nest building My bunnies play with stems after eating leaves.
Many bunnies eat the soft leafy parts first and leave stems. Keep these stems! They’re perfect for encouraging natural behaviors. I stuff stems into toilet paper tubes for chew toys. The stems most bunnies reject are often best for dental health.
Check Quality
Learn hay grading! Premium hay has:
- No dust when shaken
- Sweet smell
- Bright color
- Few weeds
- No mold Worth paying more for top grade. Less waste, healthier bunnies!
Hay quality grades affect nutrition and waste. Lower grades have more weeds, dust, and stems bunnies might reject.
I learned to assess hay quality by comparing different brands. The cheapest hay often costs more in the end due to waste and potential health issues.
Buy Bulk
Bulk buying saves money if stored right. I buy 50-pound boxes. Split with friends for best deals. My storage tips:
- Cool garage space
- Raised pallets
- Cover with breathable cloth
- Check weekly
Buying larger quantities drops the price per pound dramatically. I team up with three other rabbit owners to order 100+ pounds at once. We meet to divide it up. The savings are worth the extra effort of coordinated ordering, especially for multi-rabbit homes.
Hay vs Straw
Know the difference! Hay is food (green, sweet). Straw is bedding (yellow, hollow stems). Never feed straw as main food. I use straw for outdoor nest boxes and hay for eating.
This common confusion causes problems. Straw has very little nutrition – it’s the hollow stalks left after grain harvest. Hay contains the whole nutritious plant. Straw is cheaper but not a hay substitute. I explain this difference to all new bunny owners I meet.
Dry at Home
Damp hay from rain? Don’t trash it if not moldy. I spread thin layers on clean sheets. Use fans to dry fast. Saved $40 of hay that got sprinkled by surprise rain.
Light dampness can be fixed if you act fast. Hay must dry quickly before mold starts. I spread it no more than 2 inches deep and use fans for air circulation.
Check by squeezing – it should crackle, not feel cool to touch when dry. Never try to dry hay that smells musty – it’s already starting to mold.
Store Right
Good storage means less waste. I use:
- Breathable containers
- Cool, dry spots
- Off-floor storage
- Hay-only areas Hay stays fresh 3 months longer with these tips.
Plastic bins trap moisture that ruins hay. I use paper bags, cloth sacks, or open-top containers.
Keeping hay off concrete floors prevents dampness from seeping up. Clean storage areas mean no pest problems. These simple habits make hay last months longer.
Small Spaces
- Use bed boxes
- Hang mesh bags
- Reuse boxes City bunnies get fresh hay 3x daily.
Apartment living doesn’t mean messy hay everywhere. I contain hay in specific zones. Wall-mounted hay racks keep it off floors.
Hay-stuffed paper bags provide food and fun in one package. Even tiny homes can manage hay neatly with good systems.
Compare Costs
Price per pound matters more than package size. I track hay costs in a notebook. Online subscriptions often beat pet stores. Found 30% savings by comparing true costs!
The same hay can vary wildly in price depending on where you buy it. I figured cost per pound for every hay purchase for three months.
The results surprised me! Farm stores often beat pet stores by 40% or more. Online bulk orders beat everything for my three-bunny household.
Kid Projects
Make:
- Toy rolls
- Edible mobiles
- Tiny mazes 89% kids fed more hay after!
Getting children involved with hay projects increases their interest in rabbit care. Simple crafts like hay-stuffed toilet paper tubes become treasured bunny toys.
Kids enjoy seeing rabbits interact with their creations, building positive connections to proper rabbit care.
My niece made hay-stuffed paper bag pyramids. Her rabbits spent hours digging through them. Now she makes new hay toys weekly, ensuring her bunnies get plenty of fresh hay while having fun.
Swap Hay
I trade:
- Extra timothy
- Home hay
- Stems Group saved $2,300!
Rabbit owners often find their bunnies prefer certain hays. By connecting with other owners, you can swap rejected hay types.
My bunny dislikes orchard grass but loves timothy. My friend’s bunny is opposite. We trade half our supplies and both save money while having happier bunnies!
Local rabbit clubs or online groups make hay swapping easy. I’ve participated in hay swap events where everyone brings different types to trade. This reduces waste and lets bunnies try varieties without buying full packages.
Final Thoughts
Hay is the foundation of a rabbit’s diet, and choosing the right type can significantly impact their health.
- Timothy hay is the best daily options for adults Rabbits.
- Orchard, oat, and meadow hays are also good daily options for adults Rabbits.
- Baby rabbits thrive on alfalfa, but they should switch to timothy or other grass hays after 6 months.
- Mixing different hay types can encourage picky eaters.
- If your rabbit isn’t eating hay, experiment with different cuts and brands.
Timothy hay is the Best Hay for Rabbits to Eat.
By providing high-quality hay, you’ll keep your rabbit healthy, happy, and thriving for years to come!
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet, but many owners have questions about what type of hay to feed, how much is enough, and how to handle picky eaters. Below, we break down the most common questions about hay for rabbits.
How Much Hay Do Rabbits Need Daily?
Rabbits need unlimited access to fresh hay every day. A simple rule of thumb:
- Your rabbit should eat a pile of hay equal to their body size daily.
- Hay should never run out—empty racks can stress bunnies and cause health issues.
I check and refill my rabbits’ hay racks twice daily—once in the morning and again at night. This ensures they always have enough to eat.
Do Rabbits Need Alfalfa or Timothy Hay?
The right hay depends on your rabbit’s age:
- Baby rabbits (<7 months): Need alfalfa hay for extra calcium and protein to support growth.
- Adult rabbits (7+ months): Should eat timothy hay or other grass hays like orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay.
I transition my bunnies from alfalfa to timothy around 6 months old, gradually mixing in timothy over a few weeks to avoid digestive issues.
Is Alfalfa Bad for Rabbits?
Alfalfa isn’t bad—but it’s not suitable for adult rabbits. While it’s beneficial for baby rabbits, pregnant or nursing does, and underweight rabbits, it can cause problems in adults, such as:
- Bladder sludge or stones due to high calcium.
- Unwanted weight gain from excess protein.
- Soft stools or digestive upset in sensitive rabbits.
When I fed my adult rabbit too much alfalfa, he developed bladder sludge. After switching him to timothy hay, his health improved significantly.
Can Rabbits Have Hay Allergies?
Yes, some rabbits develop allergies to hay, especially in the spring when hay has more pollen. Symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, or face rubbing. Here’s how to help:
- Use third-cut hay (harvested in fall), which has less pollen.
- Switch to orchard grass hay, which is lower in dust.
- Lightly mist the hay with water to reduce airborne dust.
- Shake hay outside before bringing it indoors.
What’s the Best Substitute for Timothy Hay?
If your rabbit dislikes timothy hay or is allergic, try:
- Orchard grass hay – Similar fiber but naturally sweeter.
- Meadow hay – A softer, more diverse option.
- Oat hay – A great alternative for weight management.
Are There Any Downsides to Timothy Hay?
Timothy hay is an excellent staple, but it does have some potential drawbacks:
- It can be dusty, which may trigger allergies in some rabbits.
- It’s often more expensive than other grass hays.
- Some rabbits find it less tasty than sweeter hays like orchard grass.
- It can contain coarse or sharp stems that some rabbits dislike.
- Availability may vary depending on location.
To manage dust, I shake hay outside before use. Despite the cost, I believe the health benefits outweigh the expense.
Why Shouldn’t Adult Rabbits Eat Alfalfa?
Adult rabbits should avoid alfalfa because:
- High calcium content can lead to bladder sludge and stones.
- Excess protein may cause weight gain.
- It’s too rich, which can disrupt digestion.
- Some rabbits develop soft stools when eating too much alfalfa.
My adult rabbit developed bladder sludge after eating too much alfalfa. Switching him to timothy hay resolved the issue completely.
Signs Your Rabbit Dislikes Their Hay
If your rabbit isn’t eating enough hay, look for these signs:
- Pushing hay out of the rack.
- Digging through hay but not eating much.
- Only eating certain parts (e.g., leaves, not stems).
- Ignoring hay but begging for treats.
- Eating less than their body size in hay daily.
My picky rabbit flipped her hay rack in protest when she didn’t like her hay. Mixing in herbs and trying different brands made a huge difference.
Is Alfalfa Better Than Other Hays?
Alfalfa is a type of hay, not necessarily “better” than other options. However, it’s only beneficial for:
- Baby rabbits (<7 months) who need extra calcium and protein.
- Pregnant or nursing rabbits who need additional nutrients.
- Underweight rabbits that need to gain weight.
- Rabbits recovering from illness who require extra energy.
I’ve seen baby rabbits grow faster and healthier on alfalfa than those given timothy too early.
What is Alfalfa Toxicity?
Alfalfa itself isn’t toxic, but feeding too much to adult rabbits can lead to:
- Bladder sludge or stones due to excess calcium.
- Obesity from higher calorie content.
- Digestive problems caused by too much protein.
- Soft stools in sensitive rabbits.
When I switched my rabbit from alfalfa to timothy hay, his bladder sludge disappeared completely. Alfalfa isn’t poisonous—it’s just inappropriate for adults!