What hay is best for guinea pigs?

Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day. Avoid alfalfa hay unless directed by your veterinarian. Instead choose timothy, orchard grass or oat hay.

Is timothy hay or meadow hay better for guinea pigs?

However; to get the best quality for your Guinea Pigs ensure you ask for “horse” hay, not “cattle” hay. Meadow hay is less predictable in content than Timothy but being softer makes it far more pleasant to forage and/or make into a bed.

What is the difference between timothy hay and timothy meadow hay?

Meadow hay vs Timothy hay

Nutritionally speaking, meadow hay is almost identical to Timothy hay, the only difference is that Meadow hay may have about 2% more fiber than Timothy which is a good thing. The most dramatic difference between the two hays is that Timothy is much more course and hard.

Which timothy hay is best for guinea pigs?

The 8 Best Timothy Hays for Your Pet Guinea Pig

• Small Pet Select Timothy Hay.
• Oxbow Western Timothy Hay.
• Standlee Premium Western Timothy Grass.
• Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay.
• Kaytee Timothy Hay Plus Variety Pack.
• Kaytee Wafer-Cut Hay.
• Vitakraft Fresh & Natural Timothy Hay.
• Carefresh Timothy Hay.

What kind of hay do guinea pigs need to eat?

Timothy hay: Provide an unlimited quantity of fresh timothy hay every day. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth.

Is orchard grass hay good for guinea pigs?

Timothy Hay and Orchard Hay is an excellent choice for guinea pigs. They require an unlimited amount of either hay as a staple of their diet. Timothy Hay is easier to get and provides the optimal balance of nutrition ranging from fiber, protein, and calcium for guinea pigs.

Can guinea pigs eat too much hay?

The short answer is that you really can't put too much hay in a rabbit or guinea pig's habitat. The more hay they have available, the greater their opportunity to constantly forage and graze, which is extremely important not just for their physical health, but for their mental stimulation as well.

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

First Cutting Timothy Hay – the grass stems from the first harvest of timothy hay have a course texture and are high in fiber. While this is good for guinea pigs, they favor second or third cutting hay for its softer, more palatable leafy structure.

Is timothy or Meadow Hay better?

Meadow hay usually has the advantages of being cheaper and more widely available than Timothy hay. It provides some variety, although this is not necessarily an advantage, as rabbits often pick out the bits they like, usually the more calorific bits, and leave the rest.

Is Meadow Hay OK for guinea pigs?

Meadow Hay for Guinea Pigs

Meadow hay may be more suitable for forage usage due to the mixture of flowers and other plants. Like orchard and timothy, if you do end up trying meadow hay, make sure it's green!

What's the difference between timothy hay and normal hay?

Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and better calcium to phosphorus ratio. If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition.

Is Blue Grass hay good for guinea pigs?

Bluegrass is a good type of hay to feed your guinea pigs daily. Bluegrass is a soft, green hay. Most guinea pigs love the taste and texture of it. It is similar in nutritional content to other grass hays on this list.

Is grass or hay better for guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs like to chew on hay all day long, around the clock, so it's essential that you provide them with a constant supply of clean, fresh hay. Fresh grass is less important, but contains several important vitamins and minerals, and so is an excellent addition to their diet when available.

What Colour is meadow hay?

Very green with a herbal scent and very soft. Our Meadow Hay is a lovely blend of natural meadow grasses.

Why is Timothy hay good for guinea pigs?

BM Hay Company No Mess Timothy Hay

The hay inside the box is high in fiber and low in protein and calcium. This hay will help keep your guinea pigs teeth clean and manageable as your pet ages.

What is the difference between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut timothy hay?

To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.

What is the softest guinea pig hay?

Soft Orchard Grass is high in fiber and low in both protein and calcium. It is the softest type of hay we carry and makes a great alternative if you or your rabbit, guinea pig, or chinchilla are allergic to Timothy Hay. As your small pet gets older, softer feed may become more and more of a necessity.

What is third cut timothy?

3rd Cut Timothy Hay Is Similar To Second Cut But Is Even Softer. It Is An Extremely Leafy And Tender Hay. Harvested late in the season, it may have a few yellow leaves of hay. Sun And Wind Dried TO PRESERVE The Smell, Taste And Color.

Do guinea pigs eat hay or straw?

Ensure that your guinea pigs have a constant supply of grass and/or grass hay (such as Timothy, Oaten, Barley, or grassy hay). Guinea pigs should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hay, as these are too high in protein and calcium.

Do guinea pigs need bedding?

Guinea pigs spend quite a lot of time in their habitat so they require an excellent bedding material that's not only highly-absorbent, but soft and cozy too.

Do guinea pigs need grass?

They should have fresh grass as often as possible too, ideally every day. They naturally graze, eating only grass, herbs and some other plants (such as dandelion or groundsel) for long periods, both day and night. Remember, guinea pigs need hay and/or grass for their digestive systems to function properly.

Is timothy hay or alfalfa better for guinea pigs?

Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day. Avoid alfalfa hay unless directed by your veterinarian. Instead choose timothy, orchard grass or oat hay. Unless the hay in your pet's habitat is soiled, do not replace it as this could encourage picky eating!

What is the difference between timothy and orchard hay?

Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass. The higher calorie content of Orchard Grass is a result of higher fiber digestibility compared to Timothy Grass.

Is alfalfa pellets good for guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs 6 months or less (or pregnant or nursing) may be fed pellets with some alfalfa. Guinea pigs over 6 months should be fed timothy pellets. Pellets containing alfalfa contain a large of calcium (alfalfa is calcium-rich).