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5 Best Hay for Rabbits Which One Is Right for Your Bunny?
Not all rabbit hay is created equal. See our top picks for everyday feeding, picky eaters, and bulk buying — plus how to store it right.
- Why Hay Comes Before Pellets, Every Time
- Hay Types at a Glance
- Best Overall: Oxbow Hay Blends – Western Timothy & Orchard Grass
- Best for Picky Eaters: Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay
- Best Orchard Grass: Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay
- Best Budget Pick: Kaytee Timothy Hay
- Best for Bulk Buyers: Standlee Premium Timothy Grass
- Storing Hay So It Doesn’t Go to Waste
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Round Out Your Setup
Hay isn’t just a supplement to a rabbit’s diet—it’s a major part of it. We’re breaking down the main types of hay and the options available, so you can skip the guesswork and feel confident you’re ordering the right bag.
80%
of a rabbit’s daily diet should be hay
24/7
access needed to fresh hay
4
grass hay types most rabbits rotate through
WHY HAY COMES BEFORE PELLETS, EVERY TIME
A rabbit’s digestive system is designed to handle a steady supply of long strand fiber. That fiber keeps their gut moving, helps wear down their constantly growing teeth, and supports the healthy bacteria in the cecum. Pellets and treats may be the easy part of feeding a rabbit, but hay is what makes up the foundation of a healthy diet.
When you’re buying hay, look for something that smells fresh and grassy rather than musty or damp. Good quality hay should also have a mix of green and golden strands rather than looking completely brown or dusty.
Below, we’ll compare the main types of hay you can find and take a closer look at which bagged options are worth adding to your cart.
HAY TYPES AT A GLANCE
| Hay Type | Protein | Best For | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy | Low to moderate | Adult rabbits, everyday feeding | Coarse, stalky |
| Orchard Grass | Low | Picky eaters, hay allergies to Timothy dust | Soft, sweet smelling |
| Oat Hay | Low to moderate | Variety rotation, added enrichment (seed heads) | Coarse with seed heads |
| Alfalfa | High | Kits, pregnant/nursing does — not adults | Soft, leafy |
⚠️ Safety Note
Skip alfalfa hay as a staple for any rabbit over seven months old. The extra calcium and protein that make it ideal for growing kits can contribute to bladder sludge and obesity in adults. It’s fine as an occasional treat, but not a daily bag.
BEST OVERALL Oxbow Hay Blends – Western Timothy & Orchard Grass
This is a great everyday hay option for rabbits, especially if you want to give them a little variety without mixing different bags yourself. This Oxbow hay blend combines Western Timothy and Orchard Grass into one blend, creating a mix of textures and flavors that many rabbits enjoy.
This hay is hand sorted and hand blended using ingredients harvested from Oxbow’s family farm. And there’s no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives!
Good for: rabbits that enjoy variety and owners looking for a convenient everyday hay blend
BEST FOR PICKY EATERS SMALL PET SELECT – 2ND CUTTING TIMOTHY HAY
Hand packed and noticeably softer than most first cutting hays, this is a great option for rabbits that turn their noses up at coarser stalks. Many owners with picky rabbits end up choosing this one after trying a few different options.
This second cutting hay has a nice balance of leafy pieces and enough texture to support healthy dental wear, while being easier for picky or older rabbits to chew. Because it’s softer and less coarse than first cutting hay, it’s a good idea to offer plenty of chew toys alongside it for additional dental wear.
Good for: picky or older rabbits, and bunnies that prefer softer hay
BEST ORCHARD GRASS OXBOW ORCHARD GRASS HAY
Sweeter smelling and usually less dusty than Timothy hay, orchard grass can be a great alternative if your rabbit tends to sneeze around hay or you’re sensitive to hay dust yourself. It has a softer texture and a slightly sweeter taste that many rabbits enjoy.
Orchard grass can be a great addition to your rabbit’s hay rotation, especially if you have a picky eater or just want to give them a little more variety.
Good for: dust sensitive households, picky eaters, and adding variety to your rabbit’s hay rotation
BEST BUDGET PICK KAYTEE TIMOTHY HAY
Kaytee’s All Natural Timothy hay is one of those easy to find options you’ll see at just about any pet store, and it’s usually one of the more affordable name brand hays viable. The quality can sometimes vary a little from bag to bag, and it may be dustier than options like Oxbow or Small Pet Select, so it’s a good idea to give each new bag a quick shake outside before adding it to your rabbit’s hay rack.
Good for: multi rabbit households and owners that are looking for a budget friendly everyday hay option
BEST FOR BULK BUYERS STANDLEE PREMIUM TIMOTHY GRASS
Standlee is better known for horse and livestock hay, but their small pet Timothy hay is a great option for rabbit owners who need to buy larger quantities. The hay is green and leafy, and the price per pound becomes much more affordable when you go with a bigger bag.
Good for: rescues, multi rabbit households, and homes with multiple small pets
Pro Tip
Buy two hay types and rotate them weekly instead of committing to one bag forever. Rotation keeps rabbits from getting hooked on a single texture, makes it easier to switch brands if one goes out of stock, and gives you an early warning sign — a rabbit that suddenly won’t touch a hay it used to eat is often a rabbit worth a vet check.
STORING HAY SO IT DOESN’T GO TO WASTE
Buying hay in bulk can save you money, but only if you can keep it fresh. To help your hay last longer, store it in a dry well ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. A breathable storage bin or the original perforated bag is usually a better choice than an airtight plastic container, which can trap moisture and lead to mold.
When stored properly, most Timothy and orchard grass hays can stay fresh for around 6 to 12 months. On the other hand, oat hay tends to have a slightly shorter shelf life because of its seed heads, so it’s better to buy it in smaller amounts.
Did You Know?
A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout its life — roughly 2 to 3 inches a year. Chewing coarse hay is what wears them down naturally; without enough of it, rabbits develop painful overgrown molars that often go unnoticed until they stop eating.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How much hay does a rabbit need per day?
Rabbits should have unlimited access to hay at all times. A good rule of thumb is to keep a pile about the size of your rabbit available throughout the day, rather than measuring out a set amount and letting it run empty. Most healthy adult rabbits naturally graze throughout the day instead of eating all their hay at once.
2. Is timothy or orchard grass better for rabbits?
Neither one is necessarily better, they just have slightly different benefits. Timothy hay is a popular everyday choice because of its coarser texture, which helps support healthy dental wear. Orchard grass is softer and tends to be lower in dust, making it a good option for picky eaters or households that are sensitive to hay dust. Many rabbit owners keep both on hand and switch between them for a little variety.
3. Can rabbits eat alfalfa hay every day?
Alfalfa is best suited for young growing rabbits and pregnant or nursing females because it’s higher in protein and calcium. For healthy adult rabbits, it’s generally too rich to be a daily staple. Once a rabbit is past about seven months old, alfalfa is better saved as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of the diet.
4. How do I know if a bag of hay has gone bad?
Fresh hay should have a pleasant, sweet, grassy smell. If it smells musty, sour, or damp, or you notice dark or fuzzy patches, it’s best to throw it away. Moldy hay can make rabbits sick, so it’s not worth taking the risk just to save a few dollars on a bag.
Round Out Your Setup
Hay Rack/Feeder
SunGrow Rabbit & Guinea Pig Hay Feeder Rack
SunGrow’s food rack keeps hay off the cage floor and out of the litter, so it stays clean enough for your rabbit to actually want to eat it.
Chew Toy
Oxbow Timothy Hay Waffle Enrichment Toy
Oxbow’s Timothy Waffle is woven from real timothy grass, so it helps wears down your rabbit’s teeth the same way hay does.
Rabbit Pellets
Oxbow Essentials – Adult Rabbit Food, All Natural Pellets
These pellets are Timothy based with no molasses or fillers, so they round out the diet without crowding out hay. It’s one of the highest rated rabbit foods, and the 25 lb bag makes sense for most households.
