Forage food for small animals
Forage food is built around what rabbits and guinea pigs would naturally spend most of their day doing — grazing on hay and mixed dried plants, bit by bit, rather than eating a single meal and stopping. This aisle covers hay-based mixes and forage blends rather than concentrated pellet or muesli-style feeds, which sit in the small pet food aisle nearby.
Why forage-based feeding matters
Both the Rabbit Welfare Association and PDSA are clear that hay should make up the majority of a rabbit's diet, not just a portion of it, because constant grazing keeps their digestive system moving and wears down teeth that grow continuously throughout their life. A forage mix supports that same grazing behaviour rather than encouraging a quick meal and a long wait until the next one.
Guinea pigs benefit in a similar way, both for their digestion and for having something to occupy their time — a hutch or cage without enough to forage through for most of the day is a welfare gap as much as a dietary one.
Choosing and introducing a forage mix
Look for a genuine mix of hay and dried herbs or plants rather than one dominated by a single sweet or colourful ingredient, since a rabbit or guinea pig will often pick out the tastiest bits and leave the rest — the same selective-feeding problem that affects muesli-style pellet mixes.
Introduce a new forage food gradually alongside what your pet already eats, watching their appetite and droppings over the following few days, and keep fresh hay available at all times regardless of which forage product you choose — it's the baseline, not an optional extra.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Adjustable Tortoise Harness and Lead
An adjustable harness and lead set sized for tortoises and turtles, for safe garden adventures.
£7.99
Four Flags Quick Ferret Muzzle — Grooming & Handling Aid
A temporary, reliable muzzle designed specifically for ferrets — useful for grooming, medicating, and routine handling.
£14.99
Hamster Exercise Ball
A clear rolling exercise ball that lets your hamster roam and stay active safely around the home, with ventilation slots and a secure lid. Supplied in a random colour.
£7.99
Rabbit No-Rinse Dry-Cleaning Foam
A no-rinse foam that gently cleans and freshens your rabbit's coat between full washes, no water needed.
£7.99
PawHut 12-Panel Small Animal Playpen for Guinea Pigs, 105cm, White
Twelve 45 x 35cm panels and multi-angle connectors that build a 105 x 105cm open pen at 45cm high, for evening floor time with guinea pigs or hedgehogs.
£35.99
Poultry Nappy Harness for Chickens, Ducks & Geese
A washable fabric nappy harness for house poultry, catching droppings to keep your home clean.
From£7.99
Hanging Cage Hammock for Small Pets
A soft sherpa-lined cage hammock that gives small pets a warm, lofted spot to curl up.
From£8.99
Selective Timothy Hay
UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits and other small animals, for unlimited daily feeding
£9.99
Small Pet Carrier Shoulder Bag with Bubble Window
A ventilated travel carrier bag for hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets, with a clear bubble window and breathable mesh panels. The adjustable shoulder strap makes outings and vet trips easy.
£13.99
Selective Naturals Woodland Loops
Dandelion and rosehip flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Orchard Loops
Apple-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Meadow Loops
Pea-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Common questions
- How much hay should a rabbit eat each day?
- Hay should make up the majority of a rabbit's diet and be available at all times, not just given once a day. It supports constant grazing, which keeps their digestion moving and helps wear down their continuously growing teeth.
- What is forage food for small pets?
- Forage food is a hay-based mix, often combined with dried herbs or plants, designed to encourage the natural grazing behaviour of rabbits and guinea pigs rather than being eaten in one sitting like a concentrated pellet feed.
- Can guinea pigs eat the same forage mix as rabbits?
- Many forage mixes suit both, but guinea pigs need a reliable source of vitamin C in their diet that rabbits don't require in the same way, so check the product is appropriate for guinea pigs specifically or that their vitamin C needs are met elsewhere.
- Why does my rabbit only eat part of the mix and leave the rest?
- This is selective feeding, where an animal picks out the tastiest pieces and ignores the rest, often the less nutritious parts of the mix. A genuine hay-based forage blend with less added sugar or colour reduces this compared with a muesli-style feed.
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.