What type of hay should I give my guinea pigs?
- Appearance: In my personal experience, guinea pigs prefer eating the green hay rather than hay that’s turned brown/yellow (ish). ...
- Smell: Fresh hay has a nice, sweet, fresh smell, that most people find pleasant (and guinea pigs too). ...
- Quality: There are different cuttings of hay: first, second, and third. ...
What are some alternatives of hay for guinea pigs?
Top 8 alternatives to timothy hay for guinea pigs
- Orchard grass hay. Orchard grass hay is the best alternative to timothy hay as it serves all the purposes of timothy hay.
- Meadow Hay. Meadow hay is a great alternative to Timothy hay. ...
- Oat hay. ...
- Orchard grass from a farmer. ...
- Alfalfa hay. ...
- Fresh grass from garden or yard. ...
- Bermuda hay. ...
- Brome hay. ...
How much timothy hay should I give my guinea pig?
Timothy hay pellets are suitable for all cavies. Dosage. 1/4 – 1/8 cup per day is recommended to prevent obesity. Timothy hay can be given unlimited. NOTE: Pellets are less important than hay! High-quality grass hay is a must for overall guinea pig health. 3. Water
Why do guinea pigs need timothy hay?
Timothy Hay helps digestion of guinea pigs as it is very fibrous. Guinea pigs need fresh timothy hay daily. It should be an integral part of their diet. As the hay is chewed by the guinea pig, it moves through the intestines and helps the food pass through it. it wears down and cleans their cheek teeth which are constantly growing.
What is the difference between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut timothy hay?
To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.
What is better for guinea pigs first cut or second cut hay?
Second cutting hay contains more soft leafy content than the first cutting, it is more palatable and guinea pigs prefer it to the first cutting of hay.
Is 3rd cut timothy hay good for guinea pigs?
We recommend this product for: Our 3rd cutting Timothy hay is perfect for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
Is 1st cut hay good for guinea pigs?
Our 1st Cutting Timothy hay is for guinea pigs who need to lose a little weight, suffer from GI upset, and/or need to wear down their teeth. It's rich with stem growth, but low on leaf. While this hay is high in fiber, it's also low in protein and fat. Our 2nd Cutting Timothy hay is the perfect balance for adults.
How often should guinea pig hay be changed?
Depending on your setup and how many guinea pigs you own, how often you replace the hay will likely vary from week to week. Sometimes, you'll need to change it after just a day or two, while in other cases, you'll be able to make it a full week without changing.
Should I wet my guinea pigs hay?
Hay has such little nutritional value as it is, soaking it will decrease it further. Probably not such a great idea. Also as has been pointed out before, it would be too soft and would not ware down the teeth. Believe me, you do not want a pig with over grown teeth!
What is the healthiest hay for guinea pigs?
1) Hay: (70-75%) Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day. Avoid alfalfa hay unless directed by your veterinarian. Instead choose timothy, orchard grass or oat hay. Unless the hay in your pet's habitat is soiled, do not replace it as this could encourage picky eating!
What brand of hay is best for guinea pigs?
The 10 Best Hay for Guinea PigsOxbow Western Timothy Hay – Best Overall. ... Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay Small – Best Value. ... Rabbit Hole Hay Second Cut Timothy Hay – Premium Choice. ... Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay. ... Kaytee Timothy Hay Wafer-Cut. ... BM Hay Company No Mess Timothy Hay. ... Sweet Meadow Farm Timothy Hay.More items...•
What is guinea pigs favorite hay?
Timothy hay and Orchard hay are two of the most popular types given to adult guinea pigs for they boast high fiber content and is truly suitable for guinea pigs. As with everything in life, do not make the pick just based on the price, but base it on the quality and needs of your piggies.
What hay can guinea pigs eat daily?
Timothy hay: Provide an unlimited quantity of fresh timothy hay every day. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth. Fruit and vegetables: Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day.
What kind of hay do guinea pigs use for bedding?
Orchard hay This hay has the perfect balance of Fiber, Fats, and Protein required by our guinea pigs. Orchard hay has a broader leaf as compared to Timothy hay, but the texture is really soft, which makes it really easy for guinea pigs to chew. It also makes a great bedding choice due to its smooth texture.
What should I put my guinea pigs hay in?
6:1211:55Hay For Guinea Pigs: Types, How Much & Why Feed It - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYeah now let's talk a little bit about how much hay do you give your guinea pigs. So we know it's 80MoreYeah now let's talk a little bit about how much hay do you give your guinea pigs. So we know it's 80% of their diet. But how do you know how much to put in their cage. So the general rule is it should
Is second cut timothy hay OK for guinea pigs?
We recommend this product for: Our 2nd cutting Timothy hay is perfect for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
What brand of hay is best for guinea pigs?
The 10 Best Hay for Guinea PigsOxbow Western Timothy Hay – Best Overall. ... Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay Small – Best Value. ... Rabbit Hole Hay Second Cut Timothy Hay – Premium Choice. ... Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay. ... Kaytee Timothy Hay Wafer-Cut. ... BM Hay Company No Mess Timothy Hay. ... Sweet Meadow Farm Timothy Hay.More items...•
What is the best feeding hay for guinea pigs?
TimothyThe best variety of hay for adult guinea pigs is Timothy. This type of grass is high in the fiber that guinea pigs need and low in protein and calcium. That's important because piggies absorb about 50% of the calcium they ingest. (In comparison, humans only absorb 30%.)
When should I get second cut of hay?
Wetter weather can also prevent adequate drying of the cut grass, resulting in hay that might be prone to mold. The second cutting of grass typically happens six to eight weeks after the first cut.
What is the difference between timothy and orchard hay?
This is another favorite amongst guinea pigs and for good reasons. Orchard hay has a sweeter smell and a softer texture than typical timothy hay. The nutritional value of orchard hay is on par with timothy, only being slightly lower in protein, but has an exceptional fiber content.
What is hay for guinea pigs?
Hay is an essential part of the guinea pig diet. Quality fresh hay supplies guinea pigs with essential fiber and nutrients which could prevent digestive problems all the while helping maintain the guinea pig’s dental health.
What is Timothy hay?
Timothy hay is a popular choice among guinea parents. Its’ fragrant smell and taste makes it a guinea pig favorite as well! Not only does Timothy hay provide the right balance of fiber, fat, and protein for our piggies, it is also easy to find. It is composed of the stem, leaf, and seed head of Timothy-grass.
What is meadow hay made of?
It is made from long strands of grass, leaves, flowers, and seed heads from the meadow. Due to the inconsistency of the content, s ome guinea pigs like the mix, while others do not. Meadow hay may be more suitable for forage usage due to the mixture of flowers and other plants. Like orchard and timothy, if you do end up trying meadow hay, make sure it's green!
Can guinea pigs eat grass hay?
However, not all types of hay can be fed to guinea pigs. There are two types of guinea pig hay: grass hay and legume hay. The former is rich in fiber and low in calories, calcium, and protein, which makes it the best type of hay for guinea pigs. The latter, on the other hand, is the opposite.
Can you put hay in a guinea pig feeder?
You can put it in a guinea pig hay feeder like a hay rack, a cardboard box, or any other method you can think of! Quality hay for guinea pigs should be fresh (green in color and sweet in smell), be as dustless as possible (fine dust will make them sneeze) and contain no additives.
Is Bermuda hay good for animals?
Another uncommon type of hay is Bermuda hay, a high quality hay. Bermuda hay is a very good source of fiber. It contains a moderate amount of protein and has a little more calcium than Timothy hay. Bermuda hay is commonly given as feed for larger animals.
What kinds of hay can guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs can eat a wide variety of hay, although not all of them are equally beneficial to our guinea pigs.
Why is hay important for guinea pigs?
Hay is a crucial part of a guinea pigs diet. Most of the nutritional need for guinea pigs come from hay.
Can guinea pigs survive without hay?
No, Guinea pigs cannot survive without hay for long. A healthy guinea pig can live up to 24 without hay, the next 24 hours is going to be very difficult for them, and they may not even survive after that.
How to store hay for guinea pigs?
Considering you bought a good quality fresh hay, you need to store it in a cool and dry place so that it remains fresh.
Can you feed a guinea pig only hay?
No, you cannot feed only hay to your guinea pigs. Although 80% of their diet must be hay, it still lacks one major nutrient i.e., vitamin c in it.
Can guinea pigs eat too much hay?
No, you can never overfeed hay to your guinea pigs. In fact, there must be an abundant supply of hay for your guinea pigs at all times.
How long can a guinea pig live without hay?
A guinea pig can go up to 24 hours without hay. Then after that, they might start suffering from some digestion issues.
Why Is The Quality of Hay Important For Your Guinea Pigs?
The best hay for your guinea pig is high in fiber but low in calcium and phosphorus, which helps your pet digest its food.
What is Timothy Hay?
Carefresh Timothy Hay is great affordable grass hay that guinea pigs will enjoy playing with and eating.
What is the best fiber for guinea pigs?
When it comes to the guinea pig’s digestive health, high fiber Timothy Hay is what is necessary.
How to choose hay for guinea pigs?
When choosing a guinea pig hay, it’s important to consider how old your guinea pig is, how picky they are, and what the current state of their health is, and make sure that you choose different types of hay according to the guinea pig’s diet.
Why do guinea pigs like grass?
Because the grass is grown and specifically harvested to maximize freshness and flavor, picky guinea pigs love this product.
What is Standlee Hay Company?
Standlee Hay Company is known for having fresh and quality orchard grass hay, selling them in small or larger quantities.
What do guinea pigs love?
When it comes to taking care of guinea pigs, a very important thing to know is that they love hay.
Why is hay so important for guinea pigs?
Apart from the nutritional value , there are a couple of important reasons why hay is vital for guinea pigs.
Does guinea pig hay have to be dust-free?
Because dust is a real danger to your guinea pig’s health, it’s important the hay has as little dust as possible. No hay will be 100% dust free but some are a lot dustier than others and should be avoided.
Can I buy guinea pig hay in large quantities?
If you have a herd of guinea pigs and they go through hay like there is no tomorrow, you may want to consider buying your hay by the bale from a farm. You can find these on Amazon from Shorefields or Glebe Farm. Glebe Farm offer half and full organic hay bales and they package in a recyclable cardboard box.
Do guinea pigs need a hay feeder?
Not all people like to use a hay feeder but the reason we recommend using a hay rack or hay manger is:
What is alfalfa hay and is it good for guinea pigs?
Alfalfa Hay is what is known as a “legume hay ” and is grown a lot in Australia and the US.
Can I use feeding hay for bedding?
You should always put feeding hay in some kind of feeder but you can sometimes use the same hay for bedding providing the hay is soft. Coarse, stalky hay can cause hay pokes (hay getting stuck in the eye) which is painful for your guinea pig and would need medical attention.
How should I store the hay?
Hay should always be stored above ground level and preferably with some airflow. It can be kept in sealed plastic to stop moisture getting to it providing the hay is of good quality. However, if the hay is lower quality and hasn’t been dried properly, sealing it in plastic will cause it to go musty and mouldy. This is another good reason to ensure you only buy the better hays.
