Timothy hay is a high-fiber grass hay commonly used as a dietary staple for small herbivores. It provides the roughage needed to support healthy digestion, natural chewing behavior, and daily enrichment. Timothy hay is most commonly fed to rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small pets who rely on constant access to fiber. The hay’s long strands encourage foraging and healthy chewing, which helps wear down continuously growing teeth while supporting gut motility. Timothy hay is especially valued for its balance of fiber and lower calcium levels compared to some other hays, which makes it a good choice for ongoing feeding.
Chewy’s selection of timothy hay for pets includes fiber-rich first cut hay, tender and nutritious second cut timothy hay, and hay mixes with tasty ingredients like flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Choose from loose 100% timothy hay, multi-hay blends with orchard and alfalfa, or pelleted timothy hay for convenience. Choosing the right timothy hay depends on factors like freshness, strand length, and how it fits into your pet’s overall feeding routine. Here are some reasons to feed your small pet timothy hay as part of their diet:
Essential nutrition: Timothy hay is an important daily staple food for many small pets and should be available at all times.
Fiber content: High fiber helps support healthy digestion and gut movement in small pets.
Chewing and dental support: Long strands promote natural chewing and healthy tooth wear.
Enrichment: Loose timothy hay encourages natural foraging behaviors and mimics how small animals eat in the wild.
Species suitability: Timothy hay is considered a crucial dietary mainstay for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, but it can also be fed to gerbils, hamsters, degus, rats, and mice as a supplement to their regular diet.
Timothy hay plays a central role in maintaining good nutrition, digestive health, and daily comfort for small herbivorous pets. By choosing fresh, high-quality timothy hay and offering it consistently, pet parents can support natural behaviors and long-term wellness to help pets thrive. Chewy has a great selection of timothy hay for all types of small pets, and you can set all your pet’s favorites to Autoship for the ultimate in convenience.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas should eat timothy hay as a staple diet. Other small pets like tortoises, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice also enjoy occasional timothy hay snacks for chewing and enrichment. Consult your vet for the best advice on what to feed your small pet.
Feed rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas as much timothy hay as they will eat. These pets should have unlimited access to timothy hay throughout the day. You can also offer free-choice hay to other small herbivorous pets like degus, mice, rats, and gerbils.
Timothy hay is usually considered better than other types of hay for adult rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas due to its high fiber and low protein and calcium content. However, young or nursing small pets may benefit from other types of hay. Ask your vet for tailored guidance on what kind of hay to feed at every life stage.
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