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Lucky dressed in a rabbit costume

Discover the Best Rabbit Hay

Compare products using researched specifications, features, and retailer information.

Last reviewed:

Overview

About Rabbit Hay

Unlimited fresh grass hay should make up the bulk of a healthy adult rabbit's diet. Timothy and orchard are both grass hays; cut number describes harvest texture, not a guaranteed nutritional grade. Young, pregnant, underweight, or medically complex rabbits need individualized rabbit-savvy veterinary guidance.

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Our Top Picks

Oxbow Timothy Meadow Hay product image
Premium Choice

Oxbow Timothy Meadow Hay

A straightforward timothy forage with verified 35-ounce, 84-ounce, and 9-pound sizes.

Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay product image
Best Value

Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay

Six second-cut box weights make it easy to match consumption without guessing.

Oxbow Western Timothy & Orchard Grass Hay Blend product image
Most Popular

Oxbow Western Timothy & Orchard Grass Hay Blend

A widely available timothy-orchard blend that adds texture without sugary mix-ins.

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Oxbow Timothy Meadow Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Oxbow Timothy Meadow Hay

Timothy Hay

Straight timothy grass hay offered by Oxbow in 35-ounce, 84-ounce, and 9-pound packages. It is an everyday long-strand forage for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other herbivores, not a compressed treat or complete pellet.

Why we recommend it

A clearly labeled timothy forage with several verified package sizes.

Pros

  • Single-grass timothy hay
  • Three package sizes
  • Manufacturer feeding directions are explicit

Cons

  • Natural stem and leaf ratios vary by harvest
  • The 9-pound bag still needs cool, dry storage

Best for

Healthy adult rabbitsHouseholds wanting a mainstream timothy hay
Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay

Timothy HayBulk Box

Second-cut timothy with a medium balance of leaves, soft stems, and flower heads. The direct listing offers 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 25-, and 40-pound boxes; buy only a size that will stay dry and fresh in your home.

Why we recommend it

The broad verified box-size range makes this a practical delivered timothy option.

Pros

  • Six box weights
  • Balanced second-cut texture
  • Hand-packed corrugated boxes

Cons

  • Needs ventilated storage
  • Color and texture naturally vary

Best for

Multi-rabbit householdsRabbits that accept medium-texture timothy
Small Pet Select Orchard Hay product image
Orchard Grass

Small Pet Select Orchard Hay

Orchard GrassBulk Box

Straight orchard grass hay packed in 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, and 40-pound corrugated boxes. The manufacturer positions it as a softer grass-hay alternative and notes that some timothy-allergic people prefer handling orchard hay.

Why we recommend it

A verified orchard-only option with useful bulk sizes and resealable box storage.

Pros

  • Five box weights
  • Straight orchard grass
  • Softer texture than stemmy timothy

Cons

  • Large boxes require dry storage
  • A human timothy allergy does not guarantee symptom-free handling

Best for

Rabbits preferring soft grass hayTimothy-sensitive households
Oxbow Western Timothy & Orchard Grass Hay Blend product image
Timothy Hay

Oxbow Western Timothy & Orchard Grass Hay Blend

Timothy HayOrchard Grass

A two-grass blend of western timothy and orchard grass in verified 20-, 40-, and 90-ounce packages. It provides mixed stem and leaf textures without adding fruit, seed, or sugary treat pieces.

Why we recommend it

An easy way to introduce orchard texture without abandoning familiar timothy.

Pros

  • Two named grass species
  • Three package sizes
  • No treat mix-ins

Cons

  • Not suitable when timothy must be avoided entirely
  • Blend proportions can vary naturally

Best for

Rabbits transitioning toward orchard grassHouseholds wanting forage variety
Oxbow Prime Cut Soft & Lush Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Oxbow Prime Cut Soft & Lush Timothy Hay

Timothy Hay

A softer, leaf-forward timothy grass hay sold in 20-, 40-, and 80-ounce bags. Oxbow lists timothy grass hay as the ingredient and a guaranteed maximum crude fiber of 32 percent; it remains forage for daily feeding rather than a low-fiber treat.

Why we recommend it

A verified softer timothy format for rabbits that leave coarse stems behind.

Pros

  • Soft leafy cut
  • Single listed hay ingredient
  • Three verified weights

Cons

  • Softer hay may provide less coarse texture
  • Harvests still vary

Best for

Selective hay eatersRabbits preferring leafy timothy
Oxbow Prime Cut Hearty & Crunchy Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Oxbow Prime Cut Hearty & Crunchy Timothy Hay

Timothy Hay

A coarse, stem-forward timothy grass hay offered for rabbits that prefer crunchier forage. The product is a distinct texture choice within Oxbow's Prime Cut line, not a claim that every rabbit should prefer first-cut-style stems.

Why we recommend it

A useful contrast to soft timothy when a rabbit enjoys sturdy stems and seed heads.

Pros

  • Coarser texture
  • Straight timothy grass
  • Useful for texture rotation

Cons

  • Picky rabbits may leave stems
  • Package must be checked for excessive dust

Best for

Strong hay chewersTexture-variety rotations
Oxbow Botanical Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Oxbow Botanical Hay

Timothy Hay

Western timothy grass hay blended with chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and red-clover herbs. The verified 15-ounce package is best used to add aroma and variety alongside a rabbit's regular unlimited grass hay.

Why we recommend it

A clearly disclosed botanical blend for occasional forage rotation without fruit pieces.

Pros

  • Timothy base
  • Named botanical ingredients
  • Aromatic variety

Cons

  • Small 15-ounce format
  • Not appropriate if any included herb must be avoided

Best for

Hay rotationRabbits encouraged by aromatic forage
Kaytee Second Cut Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Kaytee Second Cut Timothy Hay

Timothy Hay

Long-strand second-cut timothy selected for a softer leaf-to-stem balance than Kaytee's first cut. It is everyday grass forage for rabbits and other small herbivores, with the same need for a freshness and moisture check on every bag.

Why we recommend it

A mainstream second-cut counterpart to Kaytee's coarser first-cut product.

Pros

  • Second-cut timothy
  • Long strands
  • Direct manufacturer documentation

Cons

  • Exact package weight varies by retailer
  • Harvest texture naturally varies

Best for

Adult rabbits preferring balanced textureLocal-retail replacement
Small Pet Select 1st Cutting Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Small Pet Select 1st Cutting Timothy Hay

Timothy HayBulk Box

Coarse first-cut timothy with more stems and flower heads than later cuts, sold in 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, and 40-pound boxes. The maker recommends dry, ventilated storage in the original box or another breathable container.

Why we recommend it

A stem-forward timothy with verified bulk formats and clear storage guidance.

Pros

  • Five box weights
  • Coarse high-fiber texture
  • Breathable box format

Cons

  • Less appealing to some picky rabbits
  • Large sizes require rapid enough use

Best for

Rabbits that enjoy stemsHigh-consumption households
Small Pet Select 3rd Cutting Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Small Pet Select 3rd Cutting Timothy Hay

Timothy HayBulk Box

Very soft, leafy third-cut timothy with little stem, available in 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, and 40-pound boxes. Small Pet Select describes it as richer than earlier cuts, so use individual veterinary guidance when weight or metabolic concerns matter.

Why we recommend it

The softest verified timothy option here, with box sizes from trial quantity to bulk.

Pros

  • Very leafy texture
  • Five box weights
  • May tempt reluctant hay eaters

Cons

  • Richer than first or second cut
  • Not the best default for every rabbit

Best for

Picky hay eatersVeterinary-guided softer diets
Kaytee First Cut Timothy Hay product image
Timothy Hay

Kaytee First Cut Timothy Hay

Timothy Hay

Long-strand first-cut timothy selected for a higher stem proportion and coarse texture. Kaytee states it is naturally grown without pesticides or artificial ingredients; inspect the actual bag because agricultural color and dust still vary.

Why we recommend it

A direct-manufacturer option for shoppers seeking first-cut texture through mainstream retail.

Pros

  • Long-strand timothy
  • Coarse first-cut texture
  • Broad retail distribution

Cons

  • Exact harvest texture varies
  • Package weights vary by retailer

Best for

Rabbits that eat sturdy stemsLocal-retail replacement
Kaytee Orchard Grass product image
Orchard Grass

Kaytee Orchard Grass

Orchard Grass

Straight orchard grass hay sold for rabbits and other small herbivores. Its softer, leafier material provides a non-timothy daily grass-hay option, though the bag should still be rejected if damp, moldy, or unusually dusty.

Why we recommend it

A mainstream orchard-only product with a stable direct manufacturer page.

Pros

  • Straight orchard grass
  • Soft leafy texture
  • Mainstream availability

Cons

  • Bag size depends on retailer
  • Natural batches differ

Best for

Adult rabbits preferring orchard grassTimothy-sensitive households
Buying Guide

How to Choose Rabbit Hay

Choose a grass hay your rabbit eats enthusiastically and keep it continuously available. First-cut timothy is usually stemmier, second cut balances leaf and stem, and third cut is softer and richer; orchard grass is a softer non-timothy alternative. Product weights above come from current manufacturer variants, but a large box is economical only if your household can use it while fresh.

Inspect every delivery. Safe hay smells grassy, stays dry, and has no mold, damp clumps, insects, or foreign material. Store it cool, dry, and ventilated in a breathable box or hay bag rather than sealing moisture into plastic.

Do not use cubes, pellets, or botanical toppers to displace unlimited long-strand grass hay. A sudden reduction in hay intake, appetite, or droppings is urgent and warrants prompt rabbit-savvy veterinary care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cutting of timothy is best?

The one your rabbit reliably eats and that fits any veterinary needs. First cut is generally coarser, second cut balanced, and third cut softer and richer.

Can orchard grass replace timothy hay?

Yes for many healthy adults: both are grass hays. Transition gradually and confirm individual medical needs with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian.

How should a bulk box be stored?

Keep it cool, dry, off damp floors, and ventilated. Never feed hay that smells musty or shows mold or wet clumps.

Methodology

How We Reviewed This

Last reviewed:

We checked each exact manufacturer product page for grass species, cut or blend, listed package weights, and intended small-herbivore use. Small Pet Select variant feeds verified box weights; Oxbow and Kaytee pages verified ingredients and formats. We excluded alfalfa-only products from adult defaults, omitted prices, and made no claims that one harvest is uniform.

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