Hey, This is Everything You Need to Know About Hay!Hay makes up the bulk of a rabbit's diet, and aids in digestion and dental wear. It is important that your rabbit has constant and unlimited access to fresh hay. You may have noticed that your local pet supply store carries more than one type of hay. I'm sure you've wondered what the difference is between alfalfa, timothy or orchard. Each type of hay has it's benefits and disadvantages. In this week's blog, we take a look what each type of hay provides to our long eared friends so that you can make the best decision for your bunny. Fresh Grass It has come across the minds of bunny owners time and time again; what about the grass growing in my yard? There are a few precautions to take, but grass can be perfectly okay to feed your bun. First off, ensure your grass does not contain any pesticides (including rain run off from neighbours). Pesticides can make your rabbit very sick and could potentially be deadly. Never give your rabbit grass that was cut by a lawn mower; this causes the grass to ferment and could greatly upset your rabbits delicate tummy. Instead, cut some grass with scissors or set up an xpen on your lawn for your rabbit to explore. Never leave your rabbit unsupervised outdoors. You could also speak to your rabbit savvy vet about routine parasite prevention. Your rabbit could become more prone to ingesting tapeworm eggs or other parasites that can be found on fresh grasses. Grass Hay (Meadow, Orchard, Timothy) Grass hays, especially timothy, are the ideal choice for rabbits. Timothy hay is low in protein, low in calcium, and high in fibre. This combination helps to keep your rabbit's sensitive gi system optimal. Timothy hay is made of a mix of timothy stems and leaves, which makes this hay course (great for digestion and dental!). Orchard hay has a much softer texture than timothy, and consists of long strands of fibre with low protein. Orchard hay has a very sweet smell and taste, making it a great to mix in with timothy hay, or a great option for fussy hay eaters. Meadow hay is a mixture of naturally occurring grass hays that have a variety of textures and flavours. This mix of hay can have varied levels of protein and calcium depending what is included in the mix. This makes meadow hay better as a treat then as a primary hay, as it may have a higher than normal protein level, making it more fattening. Oat Hay These types of grasses are typically grown for their cereal grain. When harvested before their seed heads have ripened, they can be fed just like a grass hay. Oat hay is rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. Many rabbits enjoy this crunch hay, and it can be easily blended in with other grass hays to add variety. Bromegrass This grass can be commonly found in orchard and meadow hays. It is high in fibre, tender, sweet and great for the dental and intestinal health of your rabbit. Alfalfa Did you know that alfalfa is actually a legume, and not a type of grass? Alfalfa is high in protein and calcium, making it ideal for rabbits under 6 months old who are still growing. It can be very fattening to adult rabbits though, so it should only be used as a small treat to prevent health issues like obesity or too much calcium intake. Alfalfa can also be a great addition to a senior rabbit's diet if they're struggling to keep weight on. Herbal Hay Herbal hays are usually a mix of grass hay (generally timothy) with the addition of herbs such as chamomile, marigold and dandelion. Rabbits usually really enjoy these mixes, and are excellent to use as a foraging mix. You can even buy dried herbs separately and create your own blend. Your rabbit will be kept busy digging through their hay pile, looking for all the extra tasty pieces.
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