Oxbow hay for rabbits and guinea pigs
Oxbow is a brand best known among small animal keepers for its hay, sold as pure Timothy, orchard grass and alfalfa varieties, and as blends of the two grasses together. We stock a selection of the hay range for rabbits and guinea pigs.
What Oxbow's hay range offers
Timothy and orchard grass hay are both grass hays suited to the bulk of an adult rabbit or guinea pig's daily diet, and Oxbow sells them both loose and as a blend of the two. A blend gives some variety in texture and taste within the same bag, which some fussier eaters respond well to.
Alfalfa hay is a legume hay rather than a grass hay, higher in calcium and protein, and is generally suited to young, growing or pregnant animals rather than a settled adult on a maintenance diet, where too much calcium over time is unhelpful rather than beneficial.
Getting the right hay for your animal
Hay should make up the bulk of a rabbit or guinea pig's diet, so the type you choose genuinely matters rather than being a minor detail. Grass hays like Timothy and orchard grass are the right everyday choice for most healthy adults.
If you are unsure whether your animal's age, weight or health means alfalfa or a grass hay is more appropriate, that is worth checking with your vet rather than guessing from general guidance.
Storage affects quality as much as the hay itself. Keeping it somewhere dry and well-ventilated, away from direct sun which can cause it to lose freshness faster, helps a bag stay appealing to a fussy eater for longer.
Why fresh hay matters so much
For rabbits in particular, constant access to hay supports healthy digestion and helps naturally wear down teeth that grow continuously throughout their life. A rabbit without enough hay in their diet is at real risk of both digestive and dental problems over time.
Guinea pigs benefit in a similar way, with the added detail that they, like humans, cannot make their own vitamin C, so hay works alongside a fortified guinea pig food and fresh vegetables to cover their full nutritional needs rather than replacing them.
The range
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Oxbow Alfalfa Hay
A 425G bag of pure alfalfa, the high-protein legume hay for growing and nursing animals
£8.69
Oxbow Hay Blends Timothy Grass & Orchard Grass
A blended timothy and orchard grass hay for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals, 1.1kg
£18.49
Oxbow Hay Blends Timothy & Orchard Grass
A blend of Timothy and Orchard grass hay, for rabbits and guinea pigs
£33.79
Oxbow Western Timothy Hay
100% Timothy hay for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small herbivores
From£8.69
Tiny Friends Farm Russel Rabbit Tasty Nuggets
Complete dry nuggets for adult rabbits, with added vitamins and minerals
£5.90
Science Selective Timothy Hay
Compressed UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits, sold as unlimited daily forage
£18.95
Selective Timothy Hay
UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits and other small animals, for unlimited daily feeding
£9.99
Tiny Friends Farm Gerty Guinea Pig Tasty Nuggets
An extruded guinea pig food with stabilised vitamin C, formulated to prevent selective eating
£4.80
Tiny Friends Farm Gerty Guinea Pig Tasty Mix
A nutritionally balanced muesli-style mix for guinea pigs, with added vitamin C
From£3.69
Vetiq Healthy Bites Nutri Booster Small Animal Treats
VETIQ Healthy Bites Nutri Booster Small animal Treats: small-animal treats with wheat flour — 30G
£1.87
Tiny Friends Farm Gerty's Tasty Mix
A 2.5kg mixed cereal food for guinea pigs of all ages, extruded rather than muesli-style
£8.29
Common questions
- Is Timothy hay or orchard grass hay better for rabbits?
- Both are suitable grass hays for most adult rabbits, and the choice often comes down to your rabbit's preference for taste and texture rather than one being nutritionally superior. Offering a blend of the two is a reasonable way to find out what your rabbit prefers.
- Can guinea pigs eat alfalfa hay every day?
- It is generally better suited to young, growing or pregnant animals rather than a settled adult, because of its higher calcium and protein content. For most adult guinea pigs, a grass hay like Timothy is the more appropriate everyday choice, with alfalfa reserved for specific life stages.
- How much hay does a rabbit need?
- Hay should make up the majority of an adult rabbit's daily diet, offered freely rather than rationed, since rabbits' digestive systems are built around near-constant grazing. Your vet can advise further if you have concerns about your rabbit's specific diet or weight.
- How should I store hay to keep it fresh?
- Somewhere dry, well-ventilated and out of direct sunlight is best, since damp or sun-exposed hay loses freshness and appeal faster. A hay bag or rack that keeps it off the floor of a hutch or cage also helps stop it becoming soiled.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.