Top Rated Hay for Guinea Pigs List in 2021 + Buying Guide
If you want to purchase the best hay for guinea pigs, but you know little about the subject, we can clue you in. After analyzing the market, and after reading plenty of reviews, we have concluded that the Kaytee All Natural Timothy is the model that you should consider investing in. This product is flavored and textured, and it was specially created to be used for small rodents such as guinea pigs and rabbits. Also, this option is said to aid the digestive and the dental health of your pet. This hay was hand-selected, and it is very nutritious. If this item is unavailable, feel free to take a look at the Kaytee Wafer Cut.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
It’s a product that can help sustain your pet’s digestive and dental health too. With a variety of flavors and textures, it’s great for guinea pigs. It is hand selected and that ensures that all the needed nutrients get into your pet’s food. Additionally, it can help the animal if it’s suffering from some urinary problems.
There is a lot of dust in the package and most guinea pigs won’t try to eat that. The hay dust is a bit too much for most pets.
It offers great variety and a fresh meal for a rodent while providing the needed nutrients.
2nd Best
This is a good choice for pets that are seven months or older because it is low on protein and calcium. It is, however, high in fiber, so it’s a good choice for improving the pet’s digestive health. You can use this in combination with your pet’s usual food to add more nutrients. It’s less dusty than other mixes.
People are not pleased that sometimes the package contains pieces that are not as fresh as they should be.
The hay is not dusty at all and it offers the needed nutrients for improving a pet’s health.
Also To Consider
It is basic grass hay but it’s very fresh and it’s, thus, highly nutritious. It can keep the digestive tract of the guinea pig clear and in good shape, because it’s high in fiber and low in protein and calcium. If your pet loves straws, this is the kind of food it will enjoy. The smell is also something that animals appreciate.
Sometimes the pieces of hay are chopped too small to be useful. Rodents won’t touch pieces that are almost the consistency of dust.
Having a very nice smell, your guinea pig will eat every piece of it, if the piece is big enough.
5 Best Hays for Guinea Pigs (Reviews) in 2021
Searching for cheap hay for guinea pigs is just as complicated as trying to find guinea pig cages. Because we are well aware of this, we have decided to lend you a hand by putting together a list of products that have received great reviews so far.
1. Kaytee Timothy Hay Plus Variety Pack
If you need a product that can sustain your pet’s digestive and dental health, this model sold by Kaytee might suit you. This hay has a variety of flavors and textures, and it is said to be ideal when used for guinea pigs.
In fact, to ensure a high nutritional value and a proper leaf-to-stem ratio, this option was hand selected. As a result, it can provide your pet with all the nutrients that it needs. According to the seller, the model can also aid the urinary health of the animal because it is low in protein and calcium. Because of this, the choice is best to be fed to adult pets that are over seven months of age.
This kind of hay is meant to be given to pets in addition to regular food. The amount that you decide to feed to the animal should vary in accordance with its size. The food should be changed daily so that it remains fresh.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($10.99)
2. Kaytee Wafer Cut Timothy Hay
Another item that you should consider is the Kaytee Wafer Cut. This model is also low in protein and calcium, which is a reason why you should only feed it to a pet that is seven months or older. Moreover, because it is high in fiber, it can help improve the digestive health of the pig.
When combined with the regular food of the pet, this choice can provide added nutritional variety. To make it easier to feed, this hay has been cut to peel off in layers. Consequently, giving it to your guinea pig won’t mean making a mess. Also, its consistency indicates that it is less dusty than similar alternatives.
The choice was made with all natural ingredients, as no artificial colors or preservatives were added. To keep it fresh in between uses, you should store it in a cool and dry location. On top of that, to better cater to the pet’s needs, you should also provide fresh water to the animal alongside the hay.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.99)
3. Oxbow Western Timothy Hay
If you want to acquire a product that has received positive reviews from former buyers, this next choice might suit you. This basic grass hay is highly nutritious and fresh, which is a reason why rodents like it so much.
Just like other similar foods for guinea pigs, the option is low in calcium and protein and high in fiber. Because of this, it can keep the digestive tracts of the guinea pig that you own functioning properly. According to previous buyers, the item is enjoyed by pets that like eating foods that have a straw-like consistency. The fresh smell of the hay is another plus that makes the product highly-appreciated.
However, one drawback that some users noted is that the odor of the model is not always consistent. Also, some complained that the product is a bit expensive, especially when compared to other very similar products that are also available.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($19.12)
4. FarmerDave Pet Supply 3 Lb Second Cut Timothy Hay
If you are determined to feed organically grown food that contains no pesticides to your precious pet, this option sold by FarmerDavePetSupply might be just what you’ve been searching for. This hay was grown naturally and hand-picked, and it is said to be a perfect source of nutrition for your small friend.
The product is predominantly green in color, but it can also have yellow and brown elements, depending on the weather and the growing conditions. Because it is natural, this food won’t harm your pet in any way.
Given that it comes shipped in a compact box, this model is easy to store in between uses. It is also important to point out that this hay is leafier because it originates from a second-cutting.
Although it has received favorable reviews, you should know that the shipping costs of the model are a tad high. Still, those that have bought it so far were pleased with its quality and the way their pets reacted to it.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($28.75)
5. Living World Timothy Hay
Another item that you should have in mind is the one sold by Living World. With a fresh fragrance and a crunchy texture, this model will surely entice your pet. The item is high in fiber, it promotes excellent digestion, and it can prevent obesity.
Even more so, the seller points out that it can also be used as a safe and comfy nesting material. Vets recommend that this hay is used for guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas and other herbivores.
Nutritionally speaking, this choice is well-balanced as it includes 1.5% crude fats, 7% proteins, 33% fiber, and 15% moisture.
Most of those that fed it to their precious companions were content with the results. However, owners of picky eaters remarked that this hay was not a good investment. As a result, it might be indicated that, at first, you order a smaller bag. This way, you won’t waste a lot if your pet doesn’t like it.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($7.91)
Our Comprehensive Buying Guide
Knowing what features you have to pay attention to in order to end up with good hay for guinea pigs is not easy. To help, we have gathered a set of aspects that you should have in mind before you place any orders.
The age of the pet
Before you settle for the first model that you can find up for sale, you should consider the age of your pet. As you probably know, some foods, including hay, are not suitable for baby guinea pigs because they lack calcium and proteins, substances that are crucial in the growing process of the animal.
Usually, products of this kind are marketed as such and, therefore, you should not have issues finding a suitable model. Even more so, although products that are rich in calcium should not be given to adult rodents, they are ideal for pregnant guinea pigs and nursing new mothers.
The best way to make sure that you have selected an appropriate type of hay is by asking your vet for help. Given that he/she knows the medical history of the animal, he/she will be able to recommend a product that is highly nutritious.
Good for the gut
As a plus, reviews of hay for guinea pigs advise interested buyers to select a product that contains a high amount of fibers. According to the specialists, fibers have an essential role in keeping your pet’s intestines in working order. In fact, the long fibers usually found in hay can stimulate the muscle contraction of the intestines and it can prevent gastrointestinal obstruction.
What is more, you should also consider the freshness of the hay, as it has a significant impact on how tasty it is. To end up with a quality product, invest in a hand-picked model that is kept in a breathable package.
For best results, you should combine hay with other foods that your pet likes as this will encourage it to keep eating it. Also, for safety reasons, make sure that the pet is also provided with plenty of water so that it remains hydrated.
Final considerations
Similarly to when purchasing guinea pig pellets, buying hay for your pet implies paying extra attention to a few other features. For instance, you should opt for a product from the second or the third cutting, as these kinds of hay are leafier, and, thus, tastier.
Additionally, if you want to protect your pet from consuming dangerous substances, you might want to get a product that is completely organic and free from colorants and preservatives. An excellent way to assess the quality of a product is by looking at what previous buyers had to say about this aspect.
Last but not least, some experts recommend that you feed Timothy instead of Alfalfa hay to your adult guinea pig. This is a good choice because the latter is known for being somewhat fatty and for being prone to cause weight gain and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea.
If you want the best for your fluffy friend, you might also want to read this guide on how to get guinea pig hutches. As a plus, this article on how to select guinea pig toys might also be of help.
