Grass hay is the base of the diet for pet rabbits and guinea pigs, and for adult animals the makers point to grass hay rather than lucerne. Oxbow says at least 70% of the diet should be high-quality grass hay, and Vetafarm's daily feeding guide puts hay at 75%. This guide sets out what each maker says about each hay.
Why hay comes first
Oxbow Australia says the fibre in hay drives the constant digestive movement that small herbivores need. It says disrupting this movement can lead to gastrointestinal problems, some of them life threatening, and that grass hay most closely mimics the foraging small herbivores would do in nature.
Teeth are the second reason. Oxbow says the teeth of rabbits and guinea pigs never stop growing, so they need constant chewing of hard, fibrous food, and that too little hay can lead to dental problems, including disease and malocclusion. Vetafarm makes the same point: eating hay helps grind the teeth down and prevents overgrowth.
Oxbow also says a variety of hay provides mental stimulation, and suggests placing hay in as many spots around the living space as possible. For the wider diet, see our small pet nutrition guide.
The hays one by one, and what the makers say
Timothy. Oxbow's guinea pig article calls Western Timothy the "staple" grass hay for small herbivores, rabbits included. Oxbow Australia says its high fibre and low protein are credited with helping prevent obesity and maintain a healthy urinary system.
Orchard grass. Oxbow Australia describes it as a soft textured, long-strand grass hay that is high in fibre and low in protein, and says pets love its sweet flavour. Oxbow's guinea pig article says some guinea pigs prefer it to the stems and seed heads of other hays.
A timothy and orchard grass mix. Oxbow's guinea pig article says a mix of the two can serve as a daily forage, or as a transition hay when moving a pet from one to the other, and may help a picky guinea pig.
Botanical hay. This is Western Timothy blended with chamomile, lavender, clover and lemon balm. Oxbow Australia says the herbs are meant to stimulate appetite. Oxbow's guinea pig article describes the aromatics as safe to ingest, and suggests mixing botanical hay into clean hay to encourage a pet to eat more of what it already has.
Oat hay. Oxbow Australia says oat hay is harvested before the oat develops into a seed, and has high fibre, low protein and savoury husks that many pets like. Oxbow's guinea pig article says it is not generally offered to guinea pigs every day, although many enjoy its seed heads.
Fescue. Vetafarm says its fescue is a grass hay that is high in fibre and low in protein, and that the high fibre supports optimum digestion. Because it is lower in protein than lucerne, Vetafarm says it suits adult rabbits and guinea pigs of all ages.
Lucerne and who the makers say it suits
Oxbow's guinea pig article, which uses the name alfalfa, describes it as a legume hay in the sweetpea family that is more calorically dense than grass hay. It says alfalfa is the ideal forage for guinea pigs aged 0 to 6 months and for pregnant or nursing guinea pigs. Adult guinea pigs that are not nursing or pregnant should not be given it regularly, though it makes a good treat in small amounts. That life-stage advice is about guinea pigs and is not written for rabbits.
Vetafarm lists a minimum protein of 16% and a minimum fibre of 30% for its lucerne mini bale, compared with 4% protein and 36% fibre for its fescue mini bale. It says adult rabbits and guinea pigs need a lower protein hay than young animals, because high protein diets may lead to obesity and other health issues. For mature small animals, or those on a lower specification diet for health reasons, Vetafarm recommends its fescue hay.
How much hay, and how to introduce a new one
Oxbow Australia says at least 70% of every small herbivore's diet should be high-quality grass hay. Vetafarm's daily feeding guide is 75% hay, 20% pellets and 5% treats and vegetables. Vetafarm calls this a guide only and says to check with a veterinarian, or with Vetafarm, particularly if a pet has special dietary needs. For more on feeding guinea pigs, see our guinea pig food guide.
To introduce a new hay, Oxbow's guinea pig article suggests mixing it with a hay your pet already eats. It says changing a guinea pig's surroundings too quickly can read as a warning sign to a cautious animal, and that mixing hays can stop a pet turning its nose up at new offerings.
If a rabbit or guinea pig stops eating, contact a vet straight away. Oxbow's guinea pig article gives the same advice for a guinea pig that is not eating anything on its own.
Storing hay
Vetafarm gives this storage advice for its mini bale hays. Keep the hay in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight and below 30°C, and use it within 30 days of opening for optimum freshness. Vetafarm gives a best before date of 2 years from the date of packing.
The hays in our range
Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay is orchard grass, and Oxbow Harvest Stacks Western Timothy is Western Timothy hay compressed into portions. Vetafarm Origins Fescue Hay Mini Bale is fescue, and Vetafarm Origins Lucerne Hay Mini Bale is lucerne. Peters Oaten Hay, Peters Lucerne Hay and Peters Timothy Hay are listed as oaten, lucerne and timothy hay. We have no maker description for the Peters hays, so only the kind of hay and pack size are given for them.
Our picks
- Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay: a soft, long-strand grass hay in a 425g bag, which Oxbow says is high in fibre and low in protein.
- Oxbow Harvest Stacks Western Timothy: compressed Western Timothy portions in a 922g pack, which Oxbow says produce 80% less airborne dust than loose hay when fed according to instructions.
- Vetafarm Origins Fescue Hay Mini Bale: a grass hay in a 1kg mini bale, which Vetafarm lists with a minimum protein of 4% and a minimum fibre of 36%.
- Vetafarm Origins Lucerne Hay Mini Bale: a lucerne hay in a 1kg mini bale, which Vetafarm lists with a minimum protein of 16% and a minimum fibre of 30%.
- Peters Oaten Hay: oaten hay in a 1kg pack.
- Peters Lucerne Hay: lucerne hay in a 1kg pack.
- Peters Timothy Hay: timothy hay in a 1kg pack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hay for rabbits?
Oxbow's guinea pig article calls Western Timothy the "staple" grass hay for small herbivores, rabbits included. Vetafarm says its fescue, a lower protein grass hay, is suitable for adult rabbits and guinea pigs of all ages.
Can guinea pigs eat lucerne hay?
Oxbow's guinea pig article, which calls it alfalfa, says it suits young, pregnant and nursing guinea pigs, and that adults that are not nursing or pregnant should not be given it regularly, though it makes a good treat in small amounts. Vetafarm says adult guinea pigs need a lower protein hay than young ones, and recommends its fescue for mature small animals.
How much hay should a rabbit eat?
Oxbow Australia says at least 70% of a small herbivore's diet should be high-quality grass hay. Vetafarm's daily feeding guide is 75% hay, 20% pellets and 5% treats and vegetables, which it describes as a guide only.
How do I switch to a new hay?
Oxbow's guinea pig article suggests mixing the new hay with one your pet already eats. It says mixing can help a pet accept new hay that it might otherwise refuse.
How should I store hay?
Vetafarm says to keep its mini bale hay in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight and below 30°C, and to use it within 30 days of opening.
Browse the full range in Small Pet Food.
Sources
Product facts in this guide are taken from the manufacturers' own pages listed below and from the product listings on this site; general care points are given as practical guidance, not veterinary advice. Last reviewed 15 October 2026.
- Oxbow Australia: Oxbow Grass Hays
- Oxbow Animal Health: Western Timothy Hay
- Oxbow Animal Health: Harvest Stacks Western Timothy
- Oxbow Animal Health: Hay Blends Western Timothy and Orchard
- Oxbow Animal Health: What are the Best Types of Hay for Guinea Pigs?
- Vetafarm: Origins Fescue Hay Mini Bale
- Vetafarm: Origins Lucerne Hay Mini Bale