Hay is 80% of a rabbit’s diet. It’s the MOST important part of a rabbit’s daily intake and should be available for them to eat and nibble on at all times. It keeps the digestive tract moving and prevents GI stasis. Unlimited grass hay, such as timothy or orchard should be fed daily.
Usually, a rabbit will eat a bundle of hay around the same size as his/her body in a day (some eat more). Put the hay in or over the litter box. Make sure that the hay you have consists of nice long strands and smells fresh. If it is a little dusty, shake it out before giving it to your bunny.
I highly recommend Timothy hay as it is higher in fiber and promotes healthy digestion.
All of our bunnies eat unlimited Timothy hay. I recommend Standlee, Oxbow or Small Pet Select brands. Local sources are also great, although it may take a little more research to find the perfect one. The main things to look for when buying quality hay are long thick strands, nice green color, fresh smell, & minimal dust.
Bunnies can be really picky, so if your bun isn’t eating a lot of hay, you can try experimenting with different hay types or brands. If you are using a hay bag or feeder, putting some hay directly in the litter box so your bunny can play and burrow in it can help encourage them to eat more hay. You can also try offering toys with hay in them.
What works for me: I use homemade hay bins using a plastic tote and zip ties(see video link below)! I purchase 50lb bales of Standlee Timothy Grass (keep in mind I have a lotta bunnies!) I always have a litter box under the hay. I free feed hay and keep a compressed Timothy cube in each of their enclosures. They enjoy chewing on them and it keeps their teeth healthy by naturally grinding them down.
Fun fact: bunnies poop while they munch on hay - hence why I use a litterbox under the hay box! This encourages good potty habits. They also love to pull hay out of boredom and challenge themselves to how big of a mess they can make that day!
Pro tip: Not all bunnies eat hay. We have a buck who never eats his hay. He is perfectly healthy and the sweetest boy. I have tried many types of grass and he just isn’t interested. That’s his perogative! I keep his hay full and offer Timothy cubes (compressed hay) and he does chew on them - when we wants! 😉
Below are pictures of different brands I am familiar with as well as Timothy cubes and different hay racks. I recommend staying away from the “fun” hay products. You know, the ones with flowers and bits and pieces of processsed “junk”.
DIY Hay Rack: https://youtu.be/Ywoa2cd4Xvg
Post your favorites below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️