If you are new to having rabbits, you are probably wondering about the kind of food that is best to help keep them healthy. While we all grew up with characters that only eat carrots, the truth is a bit more complex. Rabbits need to have access to green leafy veggies and, more important, hay. Now the question becomes what the best hay is for rabbits?
Hay is a dietary staple for rabbits, so giving the right kind is vital. The best hays for rabbits include Timothy hay, Alfalfa hay, Orchard grass hay, Meadow hay, Oat/wheat, and barley hay, to mention only a few. Some types of hay are suited for specific rabbit species and are not suited for others.
I wanted to know what kind of hay is right for the species of rabbit I had as I know some are not suited and may harm my rabbit. I researched the various kinds of hay and consulted with a vet to ensure I knew what hay was suitable and what to avoid. I thought other people might find the information helpful, so I wanted to share it.
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What Is The Best Hay For Rabbits?
Most of us think rabbits only like veggies, but hay is a crucial part of a rabbit’s diet. The best kind of hay will depend on the area (availability), the species of rabbit you have, and the age of your rabbit. Some hay has added herbs, which are great for certain rabbits but may be dangerous to others.
Knowing more about the various types of hay is a good start to keeping your rabbit healthy. Here is more about the types of hay;
Timothy Hay
Timothy hay* is great hay to give adult rabbits and is the best overall hay for adult rabbits. It’s not suited for young bunnies as it does not have the correct amount of nutrients a growing bunny needs. It does have the correct nutrients for adult rabbits. Timothy hay is a cool season grass, making it ideal for withstanding harsh winters.
It’s the most popular hay to give adult rabbits as it is more affordable and has the right amount of nutrients and protein to keep rabbits healthy. Keep in mind that while it is suited for adult rabbits, it is lower in protein and other nutrients (which make it healthy), so it should be part of a balanced rabbit diet.
Timothy hay is best suited for adult rabbits, rabbits with sensitive digestive systems and skin conditions, rabbits that need to lose weight, and rabbits with diarrhea.
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa hay is actually a legume and not hay. It originated in areas near Iran. Most experts agree that Alfalfa hay is not suited for adult rabbits as this hay has higher concentrations of protein, vitamins, and minerals than adult rabbits need.
Because it is rich in protein and calcium, it can lead to obesity and urinary stones (the high calcium) in healthy adult rabbits. If you mix Alfalfa hay with meadow grass hay, you will have a perfect snack for your adult rabbits.
Because it is high in minerals, calcium, and protein, Alfalfa hay is best suited for growing bunnies, rabbits that are recovering from surgery, or helping a rabbit that has lost weight due to sickness get back to a healthy weight.
Orchard Grass Hay
Orchard grass hay is another cool season hay that grows in tufts, has long stems, and matures later in the season. It’s more drought resistant than Timothy hay and is high in fiber and low in protein. It’s thus perfect to use in hay blends because it is high in sugar and can be more expensive than other hay, depending on where you buy it.
Orchard grass hay works best for sick rabbits that are fussy eaters and those with diminished appetites as it encourages them to eat because of its sweetness. It makes a great snack when mixed with meadow grass or alfalfa hay.
Meadow Grass Hay
Meadow grass hay is not true hay but rather a mixture of grass mixed and then kiln dried. Knowing the nutrient values is difficult because it is made from different grass hays. The different grasses offer more flavor and texture to your rabbits.
Other plants and debris can be in the mixture, so ensure you buy from a store or reputable farmer. Because you can’t be sure of the nutrient ratios, mixing this variety with other hay such as orchard and alfalfa is best. It helps to avoid obesity and urinary stones.
Meadow hay is best used mixed with other hays as treats for rabbits and can help fussy eaters as it offers different flavors and textures.
Oat/Wheat And Barley Hay
Oat hay can include wheat and barley, making the perfect hay for your rabbit. The mixture provides the rabbits with crunchy seed heads and is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins but low in protein. Most people choose to use varieties mixed with other hays as Oat hay is expensive on its own.
Keeping in mind that this hay is chock full of all the right vitamins, minerals, and fiber that rabbits need, it can lead to one chubby rabbit if it’s fed exclusively.
So feeding it as a treat or mixed with other hays is less expensive and safer for rabbits. It can be given to growing bunnies and recovering rabbits as part of their balanced diet.
Herbal Hay
Herbal hay is any hay you have mixed or bought with herbs. It makes great foraging hay which is important as rabbits like to forage. These hays are mixed with herbs like dandelions, hibiscus lavender, and chamomile. You can also add different herbs and flowers if you like.
Herbal hay is usually used for rabbits that have suitable plants outside from which they can forage. You must be careful when buying or adding herbs to herbal hay as it is not suited to some rabbits. There are herbs, plants, flowers, and shrubs that can be dangerous for some rabbits to eat, while others are fine with it.
To ensure it’s safe for your rabbit, you need to look up the species of your rabbit, what they can and can’t eat, and match it up with the correct herbal hay.
Conclusion
Rabbits need hay in their daily diet, but using the right hay in the right quantities is vital to your rabbit’s health. The only all-day, unlimited hay your rabbits can eat is Timothy hay, as it has just the right amounts of all the needed vitamins and minerals your rabbits need. It is not suited for growing or baby rabbits, though.
