If you take one thing away from this entire website, let it be this: hay is everything. Not some of their diet. Not a supplement. Everything. And not all hay is created equal.
The right hay keeps a rabbit's digestive system moving, wears down their constantly growing teeth, provides mental stimulation, and directly prevents the number one killer of pet rabbits: GI stasis.
This guide breaks down every hay type, what it is best for, and exactly which brands to buy — so you never accidentally feed your rabbit something subpar.
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Types of Hay — Full Breakdown
🥇 Timothy Hay
Best for: Adult rabbits as a permanent staple
Timothy hay is the gold standard for adult rabbit nutrition. It has the ideal fiber-to-protein-to-calcium ratio for maintaining healthy digestion and proper tooth wear over the long term.
It has three cuttings:
- First cutting: More stems, higher fiber, coarser — great for rabbits who need to lose weight
- Second cutting: The sweet spot — balanced stem and leaf, perfect for most adult rabbits
- Third cutting: More leaf, softer, lower fiber — good for seniors or rabbits recovering from illness who need encouragement to eat
Second cutting is the most commonly recommended and the most widely sold.
🥈 Orchard Grass
Best for: Picky eaters, bonding, mixing with timothy
Orchard grass is softer and sweeter than timothy, with a lighter green color and finer stems. Rabbits who turn their nose up at timothy often accept orchard grass readily.
It is not a complete replacement for timothy — orchard grass has slightly less fiber — but it makes an excellent mixer (50/50 with timothy) for rabbits who need variety or extra encouragement to eat.
Also excellent for bonding: hand-feeding orchard grass builds trust faster than anything else.
🥉 Meadow Hay
Best for: Variety, foraging enrichment
Meadow hay is a natural mix of different grasses rather than a single crop. It varies by batch and source, which can be both a strength and a weakness.
The variety appeals to rabbits' natural foraging instincts. Some rabbits prefer the diverse texture and flavor of meadow over single-crop hays. It is also generally less expensive than timothy.
Use it as a mixer or a primary hay if your rabbit tolerates it well.
Oat Hay
Best for: Senior rabbits, rabbits managing weight
Oat hay is crunchier and more stem-heavy than timothy or orchard. It has a slightly different fiber profile that some rabbits do not prefer as a primary food — but it is excellent in specific situations.
Senior rabbits with dental issues often do better with oat hay because the stems are easier to manage. It is also a good option for rabbits who need to lose weight, since it satisfies the chewing instinct without being as calorie-dense.
Alfalfa Hay
Best for: Baby rabbits (under 7 months) only
Alfalfa is a legume, not a grass. It is much higher in calcium, protein, and sugar than any grass hay — which makes it perfect for growing kits who need the extra nutrition, but inappropriate for adult rabbits.
Feeding alfalfa to adult rabbits regularly can lead to bladder stones, obesity, and digestive upset. If you see it in an adult rabbit pellet, look for a different brand.
As a rare treat in tiny amounts? Fine. As a staple for an adult rabbit? No.
Hay Comparison Chart
Brand Recommendations
Hay quality varies enormously between brands. The same type of hay can range from fresh, fragrant, and green to dusty, brown, and moldy. These brands consistently deliver:
Small Pet Select
The gold standard for online hay delivery. Second cutting timothy is consistently fresh, green, and fragrant. Slightly pricier, but worth it for the quality. Ships fast and the boxes are well-packaged.
Oxbow Western Timothy Hay
The most widely available quality hay. Found at most pet stores and online. Consistent quality batch to batch — you know what you are getting. A reliable workhorse.
Vitakraft Timothy Hay
Good quality at a moderate price point. Widely available at Petco and similar stores. A solid option if you need something locally and cannot wait for online delivery.
Kaytee Timothy Hay
Budget-friendly option. Quality is more variable — check each bag. Fine for a backup or if you are in a tight spot, but not the first choice for everyday feeding.
💡 Buy in Bulk When You Find a Good Batch
Quality varies by season. When you get a great box of hay, buy an extra. Store it properly (see below) and you will have a backup when the next batch is less ideal.
How to Check Hay Quality
Before you feed any new batch of hay, do a quick quality check:
Storage Tips
Hay degrades quickly when stored wrong. Even great hay goes bad in a damp garage or a sunny windowsill.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Heat and light break down the nutrients.
- Use a breathable container. A cardboard box, paper bag, or breathable storage bin. Plastic bags trap moisture — avoid them.
- Keep it loose. Do not compress hay — it needs airflow to stay fresh.
- Use within 2–3 months. Even stored properly, hay gradually loses nutritional value. Buy quantities you can use in that window.
- Check before each refill. Look and smell before adding new hay on top of old.
⚠️ Never Feed Moldy or Damp Hay
If hay is damp, musty, or shows any signs of mold — throw it out. Do not feed it. Mold toxins can cause serious digestive distress in rabbits. When in doubt, throw it out.
Should You Mix Hays?
Mixing hays is not necessary, but it can be beneficial — especially for picky eaters or rabbits who need encouragement to eat more.
The most common and effective mix is 50% Timothy and 50% Orchard Grass. The orchard adds sweetness and softness that tempts rabbits who find pure timothy boring, while timothy provides the high fiber foundation.
Other mix ideas:
- Timothy + Meadow for foraging interest
- Oat hay + Timothy for seniors
- Orchard + Timothy as a transition if switching from alfalfa-based pellets
Whatever you choose: the base of the diet should always be a grass hay (timothy, orchard, meadow, or oat), not alfalfa — unless you are feeding a baby rabbit.