What Hay Can Guinea Pigs Eat
Guinea pigs should have constant access to fresh, good-quality feeding hay or grass. Hay provides the fibre their digestive system needs and the long chewing action that helps wear down teeth that grow continuously.
Timothy hay and meadow hay are suitable everyday choices for most healthy adult guinea pigs. Other grass hays can add variety, but the hay should always be clean, dry, sweet-smelling and intended for feeding.
Explore our range of guinea pig hay to find options for your guinea pigs’ daily feeding routine.
Why guinea pigs need unlimited hay
Hay and grass should make up most of a guinea pig’s diet. PDSA guidance places the proportion at around 85 to 90 per cent. A constant supply supports normal gut movement and encourages many hours of natural grazing.
Chewing fibrous hay also helps wear the teeth evenly. Pellets, vegetables and treats cannot replace this function. When choosing guinea pig food, remember that it should complement their hay intake, rather than replace it. If a guinea pig suddenly eats less hay or stops eating, contact a vet promptly.
Timothy hay
Timothy hay is a popular feeding hay for adult guinea pigs. It is high in fibre and usually has a mixture of leafy strands and firmer stems. The texture encourages chewing, although individual guinea pigs may prefer softer or leafier batches.
Offer it freely throughout the day and replace damp or soiled hay. Putting hay in more than one area can help pairs or groups eat without competing.
Meadow hay
Meadow hay contains a natural mixture of grasses and may vary in texture from one crop to another. Many guinea pigs enjoy the variety. It can be fed as the main hay when it is good quality, dust-extracted where possible and free from mould or contamination.
Other grass hays
Orchard grass, oat hay and other grass hays can be offered for variety. A different aroma or texture may encourage a reluctant hay eater. Introduce any new hay gradually and keep the existing familiar hay available during the change.
Oat hay may contain seed heads and can be more energy-dense than some other grass hays, so it works well as part of a varied selection rather than automatically replacing the usual hay.
Is alfalfa hay suitable for guinea pigs
Alfalfa is a legume rather than a grass hay. It contains more calcium and protein than typical grass hay. It may be recommended for growing, pregnant, nursing or underweight guinea pigs, but it is not normally the best everyday hay for a healthy adult.
A vet can advise whether alfalfa is appropriate for a particular guinea pig. Adult guinea pigs with urinary problems need an individual feeding plan.
Feeding hay and bedding hay
Choose fresh feeding hay for eating. Bedding hay may be coarser, less nutritious or less carefully selected for palatability. A guinea pig may nibble bedding, but it should not be the only hay available for food.
Good feeding hay should smell fresh, not musty. Avoid hay that is wet, mouldy, excessively dusty or contaminated. Store it somewhere cool and dry with enough airflow to prevent damp.
Can guinea pigs eat fresh grass
Fresh grass can form part of a guinea pig’s high-fibre diet, but introduce it gradually if they are not used to it. Pick it from an area free from pesticides, weed killers, traffic pollution and animal fouling.
Never feed lawnmower clippings. Cut grass heats and ferments quickly, which can make guinea pigs unwell.
How to encourage more hay eating
Refresh the hay several times a day, provide different textures and place it near favourite resting or toilet areas. You can also use loose piles, safe hay racks and forage boxes to make grazing more interesting. Make sure racks do not create a trapping risk.
Try scattering a small amount of suitable guinea pig forage through the hay to encourage natural searching and grazing behaviour.
Do not fill the diet with pellets or treats in an attempt to compensate for poor hay intake. A guinea pig that continues to avoid hay should be checked by a vet for dental pain or another health problem.
The answer
Most healthy adult guinea pigs can eat unlimited Timothy hay, meadow hay and other suitable grass hays. Alfalfa is richer and is usually reserved for specific life stages or veterinary needs. Whatever type you choose, keep fresh feeding hay available at all times.
