Hay is essential in the rabbit's diet and should be the food that we offer in the greatest proportion. In fact, up to 80% of their diet should be hay With this we realize the importance of knowing how to choose the best hay for rabbits on the market, since that we are going to find a large number of different brands and types of hay.
In this article on our site, we will explain what characteristics we need to look at to identify the best hay for rabbits. We also review the best brands.
Types of hay for rabbits
We will see that hay for rabbits can be of different types, each one with specific characteristics. Thus, we highlight grass or meadow, alfalfa and timothy, fescue or timothy. These are its specifications and recommendations, which will help us choose the best hay for our rabbit:
- Grass or meadow: contains 31% fiber and 14% protein, with low calories and calcium. It is recommended for the maintenance of adult rabbits.
- Alfalfa: with up to 25% indigestible fiber, up to 18% protein, calcium, energy and potassium. It is only recommended for growing rabbits and pregnant or lactating rabbits. Having high levels of calcium, in adult rabbits it could cause uroliths, so they can only consume it occasionally. Here we explain more about What does a baby rabbit eat?
- Timothy, fescue or timothy: About 30% fiber and only 8% protein, plus calcium. Ideal for rabbits with stones in the urine and for the prevention of dental and digestive problems. Its minimum level of protein and calcium does not make it suitable for growing rabbits, pregnant or lactating females. If you have a pregnant bunny, we recommend you consult this other article on Everything about pregnancy in rabbits - Duration, symptoms and care.
Regardless of the type of hay chosen, it is recommended to change it daily and always leave it freely available to the rabbit. Hay should be kept away from heat sources to prevent it from degrading. On the other hand, hay is marketed in two formats, which are pressed or fresh. The latter preserves more nutrients. It can be made up of a single herb or a mixture of several.
What is the best hay for rabbits?
For hay to be good for a rabbit, it must have certain characteristics that make it nutritious and appetizing, let's not forget that it will be its main food. When choosing hay, we have to look at the following aspects:
- Composition: the amount of protein should be 10-12%, while calcium should be between 0.5- 1%, phosphorus between 0.4-0.8%, potassium 0.6% and fiber around 13-24%.
- Quality: the greenish color and the pleasant and intense smell are synonymous with quality. On the contrary, a yellow coloration and an appearance of dry straw that breaks easily indicate a worse quality.
- Freshness: A desirable hay will be fresh, pliable, retaining some moisture, and green.
- Length: the herbs must not be too short, as they will end up falling from the feeder to the ground and the rabbit will not eat them.
- Powder: there should be very little in the container, which will guarantee freshness. A lot of dust is a sign of not very fresh hay.
If you have detected that your rabbit does not eat hay, in addition to checking its quality and composition following the above instructions, you can consult this other article on our site about My rabbit does not eat hay.
Best Hay Brands for Rabbits
In reality, the best hay for rabbits is the one that, following the characteristics that we have indicated, our rabbit likes the most. For this reason, it is not strange that we have to try several until we discover which one is your favorite, one of the typical processes in rabbit care. We highlight the following brands:
1. Riverbank
This company from Lleida has been offering for decades various types of hay, such as fescue, which are grasses typical of the meadows, oat or alfalfa. They are in charge of the entire production process, from planting to distribution. Hay dries in the sun and does not dehydrate. In this way, the protein is not destroyed.
two. Nibble and Gnaw
Hay selected and analyzed to ensure its quality. It comes from Canada and stands out for its long stem and its cut and dried in the sun. They guarantee freshness for two years, as long as it is properly stored. It is packed by hand and is dust free. As an extra, the bag is biodegradable and the box is made of recycled cardboard.
3. Samerberger
Of German origin, it has certificate bio, which guarantees that it has not been treated with pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Composed of different wild herbs from mountain meadows, it is processed and packaged by hand.
4. Hubertus
Although it looks like it, it's not pressed. It is a natural hay, untreated, which comes from the mountains of Austria and is obtained after an early cut. Of high quality, it stands out for its intense aroma. It is ensured that it is free of mold.
5. Zollernalb
It's a Organic hay from the German mountain, without pesticides or fertilizers and dried in the sun. It is second cut and is made up of fine strands and flowers. As a curiosity, it is sold in a box with a hazel branch.
6. Almenland
It is marketed in various types and is a first-cut organic mountain hay and of Austrian origin. From organic pastures, with tender aromatic herbs and flowers, the care with which they carry out both cultivation and drying stands out.
7. Tiny Friends Farm
Lastly, we mention this sun-dried prairie hay to keep all its properties intact. It does not contain dust, since it goes through a process by which it is extracted. It is sold compressed.
