🌾🐰 Vet Guide 2025: Best Hay for Rabbits — By Dr Duncan Houston

Hay is the cornerstone of rabbit health—vital for digestion, dental wear, and mental enrichment. Not all hay is the same, though. In this 2025 guide, we'll explore top rabbit hay types—Timothy, Orchard, Oat, Meadow, Alfalfa, Botanical blends, and Compressed stacks. You’ll learn how to choose, store, rotate, and enrich your rabbit’s hay for vibrant well‑being. Let’s bite into the details! 😊

🥇 Why Unlimited Grass Hay Matters

Rabbits are herbivores designed to graze on fibrous grass all day. Fresh, high-quality grass hay should make up at least 70% of your rabbit’s diet—feeding digestive movement and tooth wear while reducing obesity risk :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🐎 Timothy Hay: The #1 Vet Choice

Timothy hay delivers the perfect balance—high fiber, moderate protein, low calcium—for adult rabbits. It's crunchy yet palatable and widely recommended by vets and nutrition experts :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🍃 Orchard Grass Hay: Soft & Sweet

Softer in texture with a sweeter taste, orchard grass is ideal for picky eaters or those transitioning hays. You can serve it alone or mixed with Timothy to boost acceptance :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

🌾 Oat Hay: Crunchy Favorite

With coarse stems and early seed heads, oat hay offers crunch and aroma that many rabbits adore. It supports dental health—and mixing it with softer hay can balance textures :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

🌿 Meadow Hay & Organic Meadow Hay

Made of mixed grasses and flowers, meadow hay adds variety and enrichment. It’s USDA-certified organic, offering sustainability with standard Timothy-level nutrition :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

🌼 Timothy + Orchard & Meadow Blends

Pre-blended hays combine leafy softness with sturdy fiber—perfect for enrichment and balanced intake. Botanical blends add herbs like lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm for added aroma and interest :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

🍀 Alfalfa Hay: For Young, Pregnant & Nursing

Alfalfa is rich in protein and calcium—great for kits, mums-to-be, and recovering bunnies. For healthy adults, limit its use to small treat quantities to avoid weight gain or urinary issues :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

📦 Compressed Hay Stacks: Clean & Engaging

Compressed Timothy stacks are less dusty, portable, and fun for chew and chase—great travel hay or enrichment tool :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

🧩 Mixed Hay Rotation: Enrich & Balance

Feeding two or more hay types prevents boredom, stimulates senses, and ensures well-rounded intake. Rotate choices weekly—or offer dual feeder stations for selection :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🛍️ Choosing the Best Bag: Quality Criteria

• 📅 Freshest‑by date visible—choose recent harvests :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• 🔍 “Squeeze test” for softness (excluding naturally crunchy oat hay) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• 👃 Fragrant, green, and lightly dusty—avoiding mold or stale smell.

🏠 Storing Hay Properly

• Store in a cool, dry, ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
• Use breathable containers to maintain aroma and quality :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Buy in smaller quantities to keep hay fresh and appealing.

🗣️ Real-Owner Feedback

“Timothy hay is most recommended… but any grass hay is acceptable. Some prefer oat or orchard.” :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

“My bunny ignored Timothy but loves oat and meadow—trial and mix till they find favorites!” :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

📊 Hay Comparison Table

✅ Dr Houston’s Hay Feeding Tips

• Always offer unlimited high-quality grass hay.
• Introduce new hay gradually—do a slow blend when switching.
• Use hay for enrichment: nuggets, forage games, or Hay Puzzles from Woopf.
• Monitor appetite—drop in consumption may signal GI issues; contact Ask A Vet.
• Reserve alfalfa for young, pregnant or treat use in adults.

🌈 Final Thoughts

Choosing the best hay means balancing nutrition, texture, and enrichment. A variety of high-quality grass hays—like Timothy, Orchard, Oat, Meadow—and occasional alfalfa treats create a healthy, happy diet for your rabbit. Rotate types, store properly, and watch your bunny thrive. For hay advice or enrichment ideas, explore the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com. And don’t forget to check out Woopf hay puzzles and Purrz cozy hideaways to enrich every mealtime! 🐇📱