Hay for different small pets: why one type does not fit all

Not every small pet can thrive on the same hay. A rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla and dwarf hamster all have different digestive systems, teeth and activity levels. In this article we look at how to think about hay “by species” instead of assuming that one bag is suitable for everyone in the household.

Why one hay type does not fit all

All small herbivores need long fibre, but the optimal hay can differ in three main aspects:

• Energy and protein: growing, pregnant or very active animals may need richer hay, overweight adults do not.
• Fibre length and structure: some species benefit from very coarse, stalky hay, others do better with softer, leafier hay.
• Dust and sensitivity: animals prone to respiratory issues need extra clean, low‑dust hay.

Rabbits and guinea pigs – high fibre every day

Rabbits and guinea pigs both need unlimited access to hay, but they are not identical. Adult, healthy animals do best on diverse meadow hay, where stems, leaves and some herbs are all present.

• Rabbits: need plenty of coarse stalks to keep teeth and gut in constant work.
• Guinea pigs: often prefer slightly softer, leafier hay but still rich in long fibre.

Chinchillas and degus – ultra clean and structured hay

These desert‑adapted animals are extremely sensitive to rich, sugary or dusty feed. For them, hay should be very dry, clean and relatively coarse – too soft or rich hay can quickly lead to digestive upset.

Hamsters, mice and other small rodents

For granivorous species hay is not the main calorie source, but it is still valuable: for nesting, tunnelling and gentle nibbling. Here the focus is on safe, clean material and the right length of stalks for digging and hiding, not on volume eaten.

How to choose from our hay range

In the Hein24 shop you will find several hay options that can be matched to species and situation. As a rule of thumb:

• diverse meadow hay as the everyday base for rabbits and guinea pigs;
• very clean, well‑sieved batches for chinchillas and degus;
• softer, more nest‑friendly hay for hamsters and other small rodents.

The most important part is to observe your own pet – droppings, behaviour, coat quality and weight tell you quickly whether the chosen hay truly suits them.

In our range, the long‑stem meadow hay product Hay for a pet and the convenient Hay Cookies cover most everyday feeding needs – you can combine loose hay, cookies and, when available, crushed hay bedding so that each species gets both safe nesting material and enough long fibre to eat.