The Best Hay for Guinea Pigs (Review) in 2020

Guinea pigs need plenty of roughage to chew on a daily basis to be healthy and happy. Hay is perfect for this as it’s exactly the type of food that guinea pigs eat in the wild – it’s nutritious, high in fiber and perfect for foraging. But finding the best hay for guinea pigs can be difficult as there are many different brands and types of hay to choose from. To help you find the right product for your pet, we’ve put together this buying guide in which we cover everything you need to know about guinea pig’s nutrition, including why they need hay, how much they need it daily and more.

What to Look for in Hay For Guinea Pigs

Besides clean and fresh water, veggies and fruits, all guinea pigs need plenty of hay in their diet. In fact, fresh hay should take up about 80% of your pet’s diet. But what is the best hay for guinea pigs to eat?

In general, all guinea pigs do very well on timothy hay as it contains an optimal ratio of fiber to protein as well as a low amount of calcium. That said, feeding only one type of hay gets boring really quickly. Like all animals, guinea pigs thrive on variety, so mix it up whenever you can. Along with timothy hay, other low-calcium hays like orchard grass and oat hay are very welcome in a guinea pig’s diet as they too are rich in fiber and low in protein. As for legume hays, they’re higher in protein and calcium than other hays, so they can be fed only occasionally to adult guinea pigs. They’re best suitable for pregnant and lactating females though, as they have higher needs for calcium and protein.

When looking for the best hay for guinea pigs, pay attention to the following things:

• Where the hay was grown: you want hay from the USA, ideally from small family farms.
• Whether it’s 100% natural: it should contain no pesticides or artificial additives.
• The brand: don’t buy hay from unknown, suspiciously cheap brands who cannot guarantee safety or freshness.
• The cut: choose first cut hay only if you want a coarser and very high in fiber hay, and second or third cut if you want softer, more nutritious and palatable hay.

Why You Should Feed Your Guinea Pig Hay

Hay is a staple in a guinea pig’s diet as it provides all the essential nutrients they need to be healthy and happy. It’s crucial for healthy digestion, as well as for trim teeth, and it’s also a perfect way to encourage your piggy’s natural foraging instincts. You should provide unlimited access to fresh hay every day and ensure there is a variety in your pet’s diet.

• Rich in fiber

Fiber is vital for guinea pigs’ digestion as it helps maintain a balanced bacterial flora in the gut. Fiber also helps stimulate gastrointestinal motility, a.k.a., helps your piggy poop normally. Fiber is also essential for guinea pigs’ dental health as it helps wear down their teeth, keeping them trim. As you probably know, all guinea pigs – wild and domesticated – have teeth that grow continuously and it’s important to keep them nice and short so they don’t get painful mouth sores.

• Source of nutrients

Besides fiber, which is essential for guinea pigs’ health, hay also contains protein and fat, both of which are important for a balanced, healthy diet. Hay contains other nutrients as well, including calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin C and more, although the amount of other nutrients hay can contain depends on its type and freshness.

• Encourages foraging instincts

Wild guinea pigs spend most of their life foraging on natural herbs and grasses. This is a natural instinct that our domestic guinea pigs also have and it’s a behavior that should be encouraged and supported as it’s important for their well-being. Providing your pet with some hay to burrow is a great way to stimulate its nesting and foraging behavior. As a bonus, hay acts as a natural bedding material for young piggies.

• Provides variety

Like all animals, your guinea pig thrives on a varied diet. Feeding your piggy pellets and fresh veggies is always a good idea, but providing hay is even more important as it’s a vital part of a well-rounded, healthy diet. Timothy hay is the best option but other low-calcium hays are also great additions.

Types of Hay for Guinea Pigs

There are many different hays that a guinea pig can eat, but when it comes to bare basics, there are only two types: grass hay and legume hay. Let’s talk about each kind and their varieties so you can decide what hay is the best for your pet.

Grass Hay

Grass hay should make a staple of your guinea pig’s diet as it contains high amounts of fiber and low amounts of protein. The right balance of these macronutrients is important because too much protein can overwhelm your pet’s kidneys, while too little fiber can lead to digestive issues. There are many varieties of grass hay that you can feed your piggy, including:

• Timothy hay
• Orchard hay
• Oat hay
• Barley hay, and more

Out of all grass hays, timothy hay is the most popular type as it contains the ideal balance of nutrients: it’s high in fiber and low in protein, calcium and calories. It’s also pleasantly aromatic and palatable. Indeed, timothy hay is the best kind of hay for all guinea pigs. That said, oat hay, orchard hay and other low-calcium hays are also excellent and can add variety to your piggy’s diet.

Legume Hay

Legume hays are quite high in protein and calcium and are lower in fiber than grass hays. They’re also higher in calories, which can be a huge minus for overweight piggies. Because this type of hay doesn’t provide the optimal balance of nutrients, it shouldn’t be fed every day but only occasionally, or mixed (in very small amounts) with timothy hay more regularly. Popular varieties include:

• Alfalfa hay
• Clover hay

While not ideal for everyday consumption for adult guinea pigs, legume hays are perfect for pregnant and lactating females as they require more calcium and protein. Young piggies can also benefit from the extra protein in their diet as it helps them grow, as well as extra calcium because it’s good for their bones. Likewise, recovering guinea pigs (whether from an injury or illness) may also benefit from legume hays because they’re higher in nutrients and calories.

Best Hay for Guinea Pigs FAQ:

Q: How much timothy hay should I give my pet?

A: Timothy hay should make up the bulk of your guinea pig’s diet. And while there is no exact number of grams or calories your should feed your pet – some vets recommend that timothy hay should comprise at least 10% of your piggy’s diet, while others recommend a much larger percentage – it’s safe to say that you should provide an unlimited amount of timothy hay. Basically, give as much as your pet will eat!

Q: How often should I give my guinea pig timothy hay?

A: Because timothy hay has an ideal balance of nutrients for guinea pigs, it’s wise to make sure your piggy has access to it at all times. Just make sure it’s fresh (green in color), high-quality timothy hay!

Q: What is the difference between “first cut” and “second cut” hay?

A: You’ve probably noticed that some hay packages come with “first cut” label, while others come with “second cut” label. What is the difference?

• First cut hay is harvested (cut) for the first time around May or June. It’s coarse in texture, high in fiber and low in protein, and it contains larger seed heads which guinea pigs love. While pretty good in nutrition, it’s not ideal as these seed heads have a much lower nutritional value than stems. Also, piggies tend to prefer softer, more palatable hay.
• Second cut hay is the hay that the farmers let regrow after the first cut. It’s usually harvested in late summer. This is the ideal hay for guinea pigs because it’s high in fiber, low in protein and soft in texture. It’s also leafier than the first cutting and it contains fewer seed heads, which allows piggies to focus their attention on the fibrous stems.

There is also third cut hay, which is harder to come by. This type of hay is soft, tender and delicious, however, it’s not particularly healthy as it’s lower in fiber and higher in protein than first and second cut hays.