🌾🐹 Vet Guide 2025: Best Types of Hay for Guinea Pigs — By Dr Duncan Houston

Guinea pigs thrive on fresh, high-fiber hay. But not all hays are created equal! In this **2025 expert guide**, I’ll walk you through each top hay option—from timeless timothy to botanical blends—showing you their pros, cons, and best uses so your piggy thrives every day. 🐹🌟

🥇 1. Western Timothy Hay

Considered the gold standard for adult guinea pigs. It offers high fiber, balanced nutrients, and excellent dental wear. Choose green, dust-free, fragrant hay with stems, leaves, and seed heads :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🍃 2. Orchard Grass Hay

Soft-textured and sweet-smelling, orchard grass may be a favorite for picky eaters and hay-sensitive owners. Nutrient-wise it's similar to timothy and suitable as a staple :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🌸 3. Botanical Hay

Oxbow’s botanical hay blends Western timothy with safe herbs like chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm. Great for enrichment, boredom busting, or encouraging eating in picky piggies :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

🥕 4. Alfalfa Hay

High in calcium and protein—perfect for babies (<6 months), pregnant, or nursing sows. But for healthy adults, feed only occasionally due to risk of obesity or bladder stones :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

🌾 5. Meadow, Rye, Oat, Bermuda & Teff Grasses

Meadow hay offers varied grasses and flowers—good for enrichment, though calcium and fiber may vary :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. Rye grass is softer and fragrant, while oat and Bermuda are richer and best as occasional treats :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}. Teff grass is low-sugar and good for weight control :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🛏️ 6. Mixed Hay Blends

A balanced mix—such as 50/50 timothy and orchard—offers taste variety while maintaining nutrition. It’s excellent for dietary transitions or picky pets :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

📋 Hay Comparison at a Glance

✅ Hay Feeding Tips by Life Stage

• Adults: Unlimited timothy or orchard DAILY, with botanical or blends for variety.
• Young, Pregnant, Nursing: Mix in alfalfa daily; limit once adult.
• Picky Eaters: Blend botanical and orchard to stimulate eating.
• Extra Care: Use teff or meadow for digestive support or special needs.

🧼 Storage & Quality Tips

• Store in a cool, dry, ventilated area—the fresher the better :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Choose hay with green color, fresh smell, minimal dust; do squeeze and dust-check :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Purchase smaller quantities to ensure freshness.
• If dust is present, lightly shake outdoors or sift before offering.

💬 What Owners Say

“I buy the Oxbow Western Timothy Hay as the key component…” :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

“Oxbow do a range of hays…we have Oxbow Timothy as our main hay, with grass hay for their nests and botanical hay because why not.” :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

❗ Watch For Hay-Related Issues

• Harsh, stiff hay can irritate mouth or cheek—seek softer hay if needed :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Always separate feeding hay from bedding hay to prevent ingestion risks and maintain hygiene :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Adult pigs should avoid overconsumption of calcium-rich hays to prevent bladder stones :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

🧠 Dr Duncan Houston’s Hay Wisdom 🎓

• Unlimited high-quality timothy or orchard forms the foundation of your pig’s health.
• Use botanical or blended hays for mental enrichment and picky appetites.
• Reserve alfalfa for critical life stages—young, pregnant, or ailing guinea pigs.
• Offer occasional varieties like oat, bermuda, or teff to diversify and support specific health needs.

📌 Final Thoughts

Quality hay is central to dental health, digestion, and engagement for guinea pigs. Choose hay wisely—prioritize nutrition, freshness, and texture. With the right hay routine and tips from Dr Duncan Houston, supported by Ask A Vet, Woopf and Purrz enrichment, your piggy can live their happiest, healthiest life. 🌟🐹

Need help choosing hay, mixing varieties, or detecting eating issues? Download the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com for on-demand support! 🐾📱