Hay is an essential part of your herbivore’s diet and overall health. It helps prevent issues such as obesity, dental problems, boredom, diarrhea, and other digestive concerns. In fact, hay isn’t just a dietary option—it’s a necessity. Herbivores rely solely on plant-based proteins, unlike carnivores that consume meat. Their digestive systems are specifically adapted to process plant matter, while fats and sugars can lead to serious health problems. However, the natural sugars found in fruits are generally well tolerated.
Hay helps prevent hairballs, among other things. These balls occur because rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas have small stomachs that are not very elastic. In addition, they cannot vomit and sometimes groom themselves extensively. These hairballs are more likely to occur when the diet is not fibrous enough, too rich in carbohydrates, if there is too much stress, a lack of exercise or obesity.
Did you know that the ideal is to give your pet an unlimited amount of hay!? And yes, you can never give too much, unlike other foods. This way, herbivores can eat their hay whenever they want throughout the day (or even at night). You can also give them a variety of different hays if they seem to like more than one.
So what kind of hay should you choose?
First, know that there are 2 types of hay:
Type 1: Grass hays, such as timothy, oats, brome, orchard grass, sorghum (johnson grass). These hays are recommended for both young and adult animals because they have appropriate levels of protein, calories and calcium.
Type 2: A legume-based hay, such as alfalfa, clover, pea, vetch. These can be fed in addition to grass hays in certain situations: for growing, convalescing, pregnant and lactating animals because their calcium, protein and calorie levels are higher than grass hays. It should be noted that some of these hays also have a higher level of oxalic acid which can lead to the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the bladder.
Tips to increase hay consumption:
- Give a variety of hays at a young age to get your favorite herbivore used to it.
- Give hay at will every day.
- Put the hay in a variety of containers to encourage play.
- Put hay as a substrate in the bottom of the cage and also put it in the resting areas.
- Understand the small differences between species. For example, guinea pigs will often prefer to eat their hay if it is on the ground. On the other hand, rabbits like it if it is in the litter or raised off the ground. Experiment to find their preferences.
- Do not remove the hay unless it is soiled with feces or urine. This encourages the animal to be selective and to eat only the leafy part of the hay while the stem is also very important.
- To stimulate the senses and the search for food, hide feed or vegetables in the hay. Or fill a container with hay for your pet to burrow/hide in.
- Make a nice carrot (or any other vegetable) hay salad - peel some carrots and mix it with the hay!
- Spray the hay with water to make it softer.
- Try mixing with another type of hay. For example, make a bromegrass mix and/or oats with timothy.
- As a last resort, boil the hay for a few seconds to intensify the aromas and flavor, making it softer and moister.
So here are the species that have a vital need for hay in their diet:
Rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, degu, prairie dog
Likewise, certain species benefit from hay as enrichment:
Gerbil, hamster, rat, mouse, bird