Timothy, Meadow, Orchard or Alfalfa: Which Hay Should You Feed?

Adult rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas should have unlimited grass hay (timothy, meadow, orchard grass or a mix) available all day, every day. It should make up most of what they eat. Alfalfa is a legume hay, rich in calcium and protein, so it suits young animals or those your vet wants to gain weight, not healthy adults as their main hay.

Good hay is green, sweet-smelling and long-stranded.

General guidance for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

Hay types compared
Timothy	Grass hay; the everyday staple for adults
Meadow hay	Mixed grasses; common in the UK; good variety
Orchard grass	Grass hay; softer, good for picky eaters or as a mix
Oat hay	Grass hay with seed heads; a treat or mix-in
Alfalfa	Legume hay; high calcium and protein; young animals or on vet advice

Why Hay Comes First

Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas have teeth that never stop growing and a gut built to process fiber all day. Long-stranded grass hay wears teeth down as they chew and keeps the gut moving. It should be available all the time and make up most of the diet, with leafy greens daily and only a small amount of pellets. See hay and small pet food for the rest of the diet.

Grass Hays for Adults

Timothy, meadow hay, orchard grass and oat hay are all grass hays and all suit healthy adults. Different cuttings vary: first cut is coarser and stalkier, later cuts are softer and leafier. Mixing two or three hays adds variety and helps picky eaters.

Where Alfalfa Fits

Alfalfa (lucerne) is a legume, not a grass. It's richer in calcium and protein, which helps growing young animals, nursing mothers and some underweight or older pets, but too much for most healthy adults as their main hay. Ask your vet if you're unsure. Move young animals onto grass hay gradually as they mature.

Switching Hay

Change hays gradually over a week or two, mixing more of the new one in each day. If a pet suddenly eats less hay, offer a different grass hay and check its teeth and droppings, and call your vet if it stops eating.

Good Hay and Dusty Hay

Good hay is green to pale green, smells sweet, and is mostly long strands with little dust. Avoid hay that is brown and brittle, dusty, damp, moldy or musty-smelling. If a person in the house is sensitive to hay dust, a dust-extracted hay or a softer cut can help; store and fill racks outdoors or in a ventilated room.

Storing Hay

Keep hay dry and off the floor in a breathable container or bag, away from damp and direct sun. Don't store it airtight while it's still damp, and use it within a few months.

Stocking the Hay Cupboard

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Timothy hay is the everyday staple, with meadow or orchard grass for variety. Alfalfa is for young animals or on vet advice. A large hay rack keeps hay off the floor and clean, and a breathable storage bag keeps it fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alfalfa and quantity come up most.

How much hay should a rabbit or guinea pig eat?

As much as it wants. Grass hay should be available all the time and make up most of the diet.

Can adult rabbits eat alfalfa hay?

Not as their main hay. Alfalfa is rich in calcium and protein, which suits young animals or pets your vet wants to gain weight. Healthy adults do best on grass hays.

What's the difference between timothy and meadow hay?

Timothy is a single grass; meadow hay is a mix of grasses. Both are good everyday hays for adults.

How do I switch to a new hay?

Gradually over a week or two, mixing more of the new hay in each day.

What does bad hay look like?

Brown, brittle, dusty, damp or moldy, or with a musty smell. Throw it away.