Is Timothy and Alfalfa Hay Always the Best Rabbit Food for My Pet?

Timothy and Alfalfa Hay, depending on your rabbit's age, are a necessary part of their diet in order for them continue to have a happy and healthy life. However, what are some health problems that seem to coincide with a rabbit eating hay or other rabbit foods?

Click Here For a Guide to Understanding Your Rabbits Diet.

Read below to see when Timothy and Alfalfa Hay is best for your rabbit along with a few health issues to look out for.

When Alfalfa Hay is Best

Alfalfa Hay is best for baby rabbits between the ages of 3 weeks and 7 months. It can also be given to nursing mothers and elderly rabbits who have issues staying a consistent weight. While it is commonly referred to as Alfalfa Hay, it's actually a legume (beanstalk) making it high in fiber along with also being high in protein and calcium. It's because of the high protein and calcium content that it can only be given to mature/adult rabbits in limited amounts, such as a treat. If adult rabbits are given large amounts of Alfalfa Hay the excess protein will cause them to gain an abundance of weight and introduce other health issues.

Again, Alfalfa Hay is only the best food for your rabbit if they are babies (3 weeks to 7 months) because it will help them grow and gain the proper amount of weight while also keeping their digestive system healthy. Rabbits older than 7 months need to be given grass hays that are high in fiber and low in both protein and calcium such as Timothy Hay or Orchard Grass.

Allergies

Some rabbits tend to have allergies to certain types of hay. You may be able to tell if your bunny is allergic to the food you are feeding them if your bunny starts to sneeze or if they seem to have watery eyes. While you might think that your rabbit is allergic to hay there could be other reasons. Your rabbit could be allergic to any of the following:

• Build-up of ammonia

• Lack of ventilation in the hutch

• A reaction to using wood shavings as bedding

• Poor quality and/or dusty hay

• Snuffles/Pasturella/Tooth Problems

If you do find that your rabbit seems to be allergic to the Timothy Hay you're feeding them, we suggest doing several things. If you are currently feeding them First Cut Timothy Hay, try feeding them Second Cut Timothy instead as My House Rabbit says that because Second Cut is a softer hay and contains more leaves and few seed heads it can significantly reduce allergic reactions.

Some rabbits are allergic to all cuts of Timothy Hay. If this is your rabbit then move them over to one of the two Orchard Grasses. Coarse Orchard Grass is the best for them if you want them to be able to have both their dental and digestive health covered by eating one type of hay. Soft Orchard Grass is one of the softest hays we offer and works great to keep their digestive system running smoothly, but lacks the needed roughness to keep up their dental health. If you feed them solely Soft Orchard make sure you mention it to your veterinarian and add a few chew toys like Apple Sticks into their routine to keep those teeth in check!

Lastly, talk with your veterinarian about the best options for your rabbit if switching cuts or hays doesn't seem to do the trick. You'll want to make sure your rabbit is getting all the nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy.

Muesli

RSPCA states that muesli-type foods can be bad for your rabbit’s diet and that they can cause stomach and teeth problems. Keep this in mind when you are trying to get your rabbit’s diet set up.

What are muesli-style foods? RSPCA states that, “Muesli is a type of commercial rabbit food that contains a number of different components such as flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains, and seeds.” If you currently feed your rabbit muesli-style foods, be sure to consult with a veterinarian for advice on how to ease your bunny into a healthy diet of Timothy Hay or Orchard Grass.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Am I giving my rabbit too much hay? Nope! If your rabbit doesn't get a sufficient amount of grass hay they won't get enough fiber in their diet, which is extremely dangerous to their health.

Fiber is essential to keep your rabbit healthy and if they don't get enough fiber it could lead them to getting Gastrointestinal Stasis, also known as GI Stasis, and in the worst case can cause death. GI Stasis happens when your rabbit is not being fed enough fiber and their stomach essentially shuts down causing them to not eat or drink anything which leads to other serious health issues.

This disease can be prevented by feeding your rabbit plenty of hay containing fiber, like Timothy Hay or Orchard Grass, and by keeping them on a low fat, low protein diet. We recommend that their diet consists of at least 80% grass hay. Alfalfa Hay is not a grass hay and while it's high in fiber, it is also high in fat and proteins making it great for baby rabbits under 7 months but not so great for adult rabbits as a mainstay.

Proper Medical Attention

While some symptoms may not seem very alarming, Zooh Corner states that it's important to contact your local rabbit veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Drinking or urinating too often

• Loss of appetite - no eating or drinking at all

• Not defecating

• Unable to urinate or noticing blood in urine

• Unable to move properly or loss of coordination

• Grinding teeth (often accompanied with dull eyes and a tight uncomfortable posture) is a sign that your rabbit is in great distress or pain

It is important to keep an eye on your rabbit and notice if your rabbit is acting differently than normal. If you have any indications that something seems seriously wrong with your rabbit, don’t hesitate to contact your local veterinarian to figure out what is going on.

While rabbits do suffer from certain health problems from time to time, it is usually easy to get them back on track with the proper diet and type of hay. Providing your rabbit with an abundance of Timothy Hay, the best rabbit food, or Orchard Grass will provide them with the necessary amount of fiber that they should have in their diet to provide them with a happy and healthy life.

To help you pick the best hay for your rabbit you can download our Hay is for Rabbits eBook. You'll learn all about the different types of hay, the best ones to feed your rabbit based on their age, allergies, and more!