What Hay is Best?
- Grass Hays (Rye Grass, Oaten hay and Timothy Hay) are all excellent choices for the bulk of your adult rabbits diet (80%)[1]. A mix for variety is even better!
- Lucerne is good for Pregnant, Lactating, Young or a nutritional boost. It should be limited as a treat only for adult Rabbits due to being high in calcium.
- Straw is good for Bedding only, there is little to no nutritional value in straw.
What Factors Make a Good Hay for Rabbits?
Many variables come into play when selecting the best hay for your rabbit, not all hay types are equal. We are going to explore some factors that need to be considered when choosing Hay.
Fiber
Fibre is one of the most important aspects of a rabbit’s diet. It helps support a healthy digestive system by keeping everything moving (similar to humans!). It is especially important as rabbits often end up consuming a lot of fur, which without fibre balls up and can block the digestive system.
Another fact about rabbits is their teeth continually grow – at a rate of about 2mm per week! Chewing on high fibre hay helps to keep these teeth worn down naturally, it also helps keep the rabbits’ teeth clean and healthy. Giving too much alternate feed such as pallets or soft vegetables may cause your rabbits teeth to grow too long and may warrant a trip to the vet. Another reason to ensure 80% of the diet is a Grass Hay!
Calcium
Calcium is one to watch out for. It’s important for pregnant rabbits (less than 6 months), young growing rabbits and rabbits requiring a nutrition boost, it should be kept to a minimum on adult rabbits. Too much Calcium can lead to health problems including urinary tract problems and stress on the kidneys.
Protein
Protein is one to match with the activity of a Rabbit. If your Rabbit is an indoor bunny and receives snuggles all day, then Grass hays are all suitable alone – providing a Low-medium quantity (8-14%). If your rabbits are more active, kept outside, young, pregnant or lactating then you might want to include a bit more protein. This can come from sources such as Lucerne (Alfala) or Veges/Pellets.
The Bottom Line
When selecting hay for feeding rabbits, it’s essential to choose high-quality options that provide adequate fiber and essential nutrients. Rye Grass Hay, Oaten Hay and Timothy Hay are all excellent choices as a permanent access feed.
Lucerne can be provided as a treat to a normal adult rabbit, but should be limited due to the high calcium content. Lucerne can be more generously fed to young, pregnant or adults requiring a nutritional boost.
Straw should only be used as a bedding as it doesn’t provide any nutritional benefits.
