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Guinea Pig Hay

Much-loved by guinea pigs, our hay is bursting with good nutrients that perfectly satisfy their dietary needs and natural foraging behaviours.

Organic guinea pig hay is now available.

Guinea Pig Hay FAQs

How do I choose the right guinea pig hay?

Why do guinea pigs need hay?

Guinea pigs need hay as it provides the fibre that keeps their delicate gut systems moving. It also plays a vital role in dental health by wearing down their ever-growing teeth.

What is the best hay for my guinea pig?

Generally, the best hay for your guinea pig is the one that they eat the most of. Guinea pigs, like humans, have their own preferences. However, adult guinea pigs shouldn't be fed too much alfalfa hays or other hays high in calcium. This is why we provide sample packs, so your piggies can choose their own favourite!

What kind of hay does a guinea pig need?

Timothy hay is popular as it is high in fibre and low in calcium, but in truth, any dry grass hay that they enjoy will be suitable.

Do guinea pigs need special hay?

Guinea pigs eat the same hay as rabbits and horses do. You wouldn't want to feed them haylage as this is higher in protein from the fermentation process. But any common hays that are high in dry matter and fibre are more than suitable.

How long can guinea pigs live with just hay?

Guinea pigs need constant access to unlimited hay as it promotes good digestive health. They don't necessarily need pellets if they're also allowed small amounts of fruit and leafy vegetables.

What are the different types of guinea pig hay?

Is Timothy grass the same as Timothy hay?

Timothy is a species of grass that is used to make hay. When people refer to "grass" as opposed to "hay" they generally mean the undried stem as it comes out of the ground.

Is 1st or 2nd cut hay better for guinea pigs?

Neither is better or worse, but they do have different properties that your piggy may prefer. The first cut is longer and coarser whilst the second cut tends to be softer and shorter so it really depends on your pets personal preference.

Do guinea pigs need hay and pellets?

Guinea pigs don't necessarily need pellets, but it is a good supplement to add to their diet. However, hay, water and leafy vegetables and fruit are all they really need for a healthy diet.

Is it OK for guinea pigs to only eat hay?

Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to fresh hay, but their diet should also be supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. Pellets are also a good addition but are not strictly vital to their diet.

What are my guinea pig's feeding requirements?

What foods can guinea pigs eat?

What should I feed my guinea pig?

How much should I feed my guinea pig?

Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to fresh hay as this is impossible to overfeed and is great for digestive health. Fresh leafy vegetables such as lettuce should be offered once a day around the size of a cup for each guinea pig.

How long can guinea pigs go without hay?

Guinea pigs need the fibre that hay provides to keep their guts moving. Whilst they may be fine for 24 hours in extreme circumstances it is vital that they eat hay or fresh grass at least to keep their digestive system going or they can die.

What types of vegetables are best for my guinea pig?

Leafy vegetables such as romaine lettuce and kale are great. Other good options include broccoli, bell peppers and spinach. This will aid in keeping their guts healthy.

Is there an alternative to hay for guinea pigs?

Why won't my guinea pig eat hay?

It is likely that they simply don't like the type of hay you are offering. Hay may look bland to us but there is a large variety of hay types out there. The best option is to look around and let them choose for themselves. Here at Happy Hay, we provide sample packs containing a small bag of each of our six hays. Giving your pets the ability to choose for themselves.

Can a guinea pig live without hay?

They can live without hay but need a high fibre low protein food to replace it. Fresh grass would be the second-best option. Guinea pigs need the fibre that these provide to keep their guts moving. Whilst they may be fine for 24 hours in extreme circumstances it is vital that they eat hay or fresh grass at least to keep their digestive system going or they can die.

Is grass good for guinea pigs?

Yes! Fresh grass can be fed and they will happily graze for themselves if left outside. However, lawnmower clippings should be avoided as it begins to ferment which is not suitable for their digestive systems.

Is there anything else I should know?

Can I offer my guinea pig treats?

Treats can be offered but you should wait until they have finished all of their normal foods. Otherwise, they can get distracted and it will put them off the most important parts of their diet. You can buy special small animal treats for guinea pigs that are not only tasty but also help wear down their teeth.

What dietary enrichment will keep my guinea pig happy?

Foraging based enrichment is great for guinea pigs as it satisfies their natural instinct to forage for food. Our Crau hay bags are a good option as they love searching through the grasses to find the tastiest flowers!

How can I get my guinea pig to eat more hay?

Finding hay that your piggy likes is essential. At Happy Hay, we offer sample packs so that they can choose their favourite for themselves. If they are very reluctant then decreasing the number of pellets and vegetables can help as they tend to prefer these tastier foods over hay.

Why choose Happy Hay?

Here at Happy Hay, we pride ourselves on providing a complete service, not just a product. If for whatever reason your piggy doesn't like your order then you can get in touch and we will always do our best to replace it with hay that your rabbit will enjoy!

We have been making hay for over 20 years and have a plethora of equipment that allows us to make the highest quality hay even when the British summer isn't giving us the weather we want!