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Rabbit Hay

Hay makes up 80% of rabbits' dietary needs and also plays a key role in wearing down ever-growing teeth, bursting with good nutrients that perfectly satisfy their natural foraging behaviours.

Organic rabbit hay is now available.

Rabbit Hay FAQs

What's so good about hay?

Why is hay so important for rabbits?

Hay is vital to a rabbit's diet and should always be available to them. It makes up 80% of their diet and also plays a key role in wearing down their ever-growing teeth. This helps prevent dental problems which can be costly to treat. Meaning that spending a little extra on hay that they love can save you money in the long run.

What hay is bad for rabbits?

No hay is outright bad for rabbits but there are points worth considering. Young rabbits are often fed alfalfa hay which is high in protein and calcium. This is great for their growing bodies but adult bunnies should be fed less protein and calcium dense hay to prevent them from getting overfat and having bladder sludge issues.

Can rabbits live off just hay?

Whilst it is possible for rabbits to live off of just hay and water alone. Most people opt to also feed small amounts of pellets for the added protein that they may not be getting from just their hay.

Can rabbits be allergic to hay?

Rabbits are rarely allergic to hay. If your rabbit is exhibiting allergy-like symptoms then it is more likely to be due to the hay being too dusty that it is irritating them. This is why all of our hays are dust-free to ensure your rabbit is as happy as can be!

How much hay should rabbits eat and how often?

How long will a Bale of hay last a rabbit?

Our 10kg Micro-bales usually last 2 bunnies around 5-6 weeks although this is difficult to say as each rabbit is different and they often waste their hay by using it as litter too. Most of our customers.

What percentage of a rabbit's diet is hay?

A rabbits diet should be 80% hay. With the other 20% being hard pellets and some fresh vegetables.

Is hay 80% of a rabbits diet?

That's right, the other 20% is usually hard pellets and some fresh vegetables. This helps keep their diet close to what it would be in the wild.

Can bunnies eat hay every day?

Bunnies should be eating hay every day. Their access to hay should never be limited and they should always have hay available to them. This helps their delicate digestive systems get all the fibre it needs and keeps their teeth from growing too long.

How much hay should a fully grown rabbit have in hay per day?

Rabbits should have at least one bundle of high-quality hay that is at least as big as they are every single day!

What's the best type of hay?

What type of hay is best for rabbits?

The best hay for your rabbit is the one which they eat the most of. Timothy hay is the most popular but bunnies just like humans have varying palates and can have their favourites among all types of hay. This is why we offer sample packs so that your bunny can pick their favourite for themselves!

Is all hay the same?

Whilst it may look similar to us humans, there are a huge variety of hays available. The main factor is the type of grass used to make the hay. Be it Timothy, Ryegrass, Orchard or anything else. Meadow and Crau hay are slightly different in that it is made from areas that naturally contain a variety of grasses.

Hay quality is also hugely dependent on the growing season and the amount of sunshine and rain that the crops received during the harvest season. Meaning that no two crops of hay will be exactly the same.

What is the difference between first and second cuts of hay?

This refers to how many times the same crop has been harvested. It is not an indication of quality. The first cut means that the hay was from the first harvest of the field. The crop is usually then fertilised again and harvested again around a month later.

The first cut is coarser and longer hay whilst the second cut is softer and shorter in the stem. This provides added choice for your bunny so it's only a good thing!

What should I look for when buying hay?

Hay should be green in colour, although this can depend on the variety. It should also be fresh smelling and dust-free to avoid any respirational issues with your bunny. You should be able to get a sense of what your bunny enjoys in the hay after they try a few.

Can bunnies just eat timothy hay?

Absolutely! If your bunny enjoys timothy hay then there's no need to change it for them. However bunnies, just like us, often enjoy variety in their diet and wouldn't mind a little change every now and then.

Are there any hay alternatives?

Why is my rabbit not eating hay?

Some rabbits can be very fussy about eating hay. It is important to try and find hay that they like and at Happy Hay, we provide samples so that they can choose for themselves. If your rabbit is particularly fussy then our organic Crau hay is popular as it is incredibly palatable even to the fussiest of buns!

My rabbits won't eat hay, can I give them something else?

A rabbits diet should be 80% hay so it is best to keep looking for hay that they like before looking for any alternatives. Failing that you can feed fresh grass but not from lawnmower clippings and it'd be best to try and find the same type of fresh grass that is used in common hays.

Can I feed my rabbit grass instead of hay?

You can feed grass instead of hay, but keep in mind that this is less dense in fibre than hay which is vital to keep their sensitive digestive system functioning. If you do want to feed grass then we advise you to find the same types of fresh grass that are commonly used in haymaking. Such as Timothy or Ryegrass hay. We also do not recommend feeding lawnmower clippings because as soon as it is cut then the fermentation process begins which further changes the nutritional balance.

Can bunnies eat grass from outside?

Bunnies can eat grass from outside although it is not an ideal substitution for hay due to the lower fibre content. We also do not recommend feeding lawnmower clippings because as soon as it is cut the fermentation process begins which further changes the nutritional balance.

Is grass better than hay for rabbits?

There is no substitute for hay that is better than hay itself. This is because hay contains the fibre they need for their delicate digestive systems and is better suited to wear their teeth down.

What can replace hay for rabbits?

There is no substitute for hay that is better than hay itself. This is because hay contains the fibre they need for their delicate digestive systems and is better suited at wearing their teeth down than fresh grass.

Can you feed rabbits whole milk?

Adult rabbits are all lactose intolerant so it is never suitable to feed them the milk of any kind.

Is there anything else I should know?

Can I offer my rabbit treats?

Rabbits love all things sweet and are tough to say no to when they beg! However, they shouldn't be fed human foods. If you can't resist their puppy dog eyes then suitable treats would be small amounts of any sweet fruits such as apples, bananas and carrot tops. Although these should be fed sparingly.

What dietary enrichment will keep my rabbit happy?

Rabbits will enjoy any sweet fruit as a treat, but it is also a good idea to get different types of hays to treat them to some variety too. After all, I'm sure you wouldn't want to eat the same food day after day!

How to make our rabbit hay extra tasty?

If you are having a hard time getting your rabbit to eat hay then you can spray it with small amounts of pineapple juice to entice them in with the sweet flavour. However, you should also do some trial and error with different types of hays to see what they like the most.

How can I get my rabbit to eat more hay?

If you feel as though your rabbit needs to eat more hay then you can spray it with small amounts of pineapple juice to entice them in with the sweet flavour. You can also experiment with different types of hays to see what they like the most. Why not mix different types of hays together too!

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 pet 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!