🌾 Vet’s 2025 Guide: Why Small Pets Need Hay—Essential for Digestive, Dental & Mental Health 🐹🩺

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

Hay is more than just bedding or a snack—it's a cornerstone of health for small herbivores like rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. Providing unlimited access to high-quality hay supports their digestive systems, maintains dental health, and offers essential mental stimulation. Let's explore why hay is indispensable for your small pet's well-being. 🐰🌿

🦷 Dental Health: Natural Tooth Wear

Small herbivores have open-rooted teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. Without proper wear, these teeth can become overgrown, leading to painful conditions like malocclusion. Chewing fibrous hay naturally grinds down teeth, preventing dental issues and promoting oral health. 🐭🪥

🩺 Digestive Health: Fiber-Rich Diet

Hay is rich in indigestible fiber, which is crucial for maintaining healthy gut motility. A diet centered around hay helps prevent gastrointestinal stasis—a potentially life-threatening condition where the digestive system slows down or stops. Ensuring your pet consumes ample hay daily keeps their digestive tract functioning smoothly. 🐹🍽️

🧠 Mental Stimulation: Encouraging Natural Behaviors

In the wild, small herbivores spend a significant portion of their day foraging. Providing hay encourages these natural behaviors, offering mental enrichment and preventing boredom. You can enhance this by hiding treats within hay piles or using hay-based toys to stimulate your pet's mind. 🐰🧩

🌿 Types of Hay: Variety for Nutrition and Interest

Offering a variety of hay types not only meets nutritional needs but also keeps mealtime interesting:

• Timothy Hay: High in fiber, ideal for adult rabbits and guinea pigs.
• Orchard Grass: Softer texture, suitable for pets with sensitivities.
• Oat Hay: Crunchy with seed heads, adds variety.
• Botanical Hay: Blended with herbs for added aroma and taste.

Rotating different hay types can prevent picky eating and ensure a balanced intake of nutrients. 🌾🥗

📦 Storage and Freshness: Keeping Hay at Its Best

Store hay in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve its nutritional value and prevent mold. Use breathable containers to maintain freshness. Always check for signs of spoilage before feeding hay to your pet. 🛒🌞

📱 Resources & Support

• 💬 For personalized advice, visit Ask A Vet or download the Ask A Vet app.
• 🛍️ Explore a variety of hay options and pet care products at Woopf.
• 🌿 Find species-specific hay blends and nutritional supplements at Purrz.

Ensuring your small pet has constant access to fresh, high-quality hay is one of the most important steps you can take for their health and happiness. Embrace the power of hay to support their digestive system, maintain dental health, and enrich their daily lives. 🐰🌾🐹