Timothy vs Orchard Grass Hay for Rabbits
Two grass hays that do the same nutritional job. Texture, dust, allergies and how to move a fussy rabbit from one to the other.
The short version
Both are grass hays and both are appropriate as the unlimited daily forage that should make up the great majority of an adult rabbit's diet. Timothy is coarser and stalkier, which gives the molars more work, and it is the default most rabbit vets name. Orchard grass is softer and sweeter smelling, which wins over a lot of fussy rabbits, and it is the usual recommendation for owners who react to timothy themselves. Choose on what your rabbit will actually eat in quantity. The best hay is the one that gets consumed, and mixing the two is entirely reasonable.
At a glance
| Oxbow Western Timothy Hay | Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Coarse and stalky | Soft and leafy |
| Molar wear from chewing | Good | Good, slightly less abrasive |
| Acceptance by fussy rabbits | Variable | Usually high |
| Human allergy friendliness | Some people react | Often better tolerated |
| Suitable as the main hay | Yes | Yes |
| Calcium level | Low, appropriate for adults | Low, appropriate for adults |
Choose the Oxbow Western Timothy Hay if…
Choose timothy as the default grass hay for an adult rabbit. The stalky texture means more chewing per mouthful, and that side to side grinding is what keeps continuously growing molars worn down. Buy it in quantity if you have the storage, keep it somewhere dry and airy rather than sealed in plastic, and refuse anything that smells musty or looks grey. Fresh hay smells sweet and green.
Check Oxbow Western Timothy Hay on Amazon
Choose the Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay if…
Choose orchard grass if your rabbit picks at timothy, if you find timothy sets off your own hay fever, or if you want to offer variety to keep intake up. It is softer, so it goes down more easily with an older rabbit, though a rabbit that has suddenly started preferring soft hay may be telling you its mouth hurts. Mix the two rather than switching wholesale, and watch that total hay intake stays high whichever you feed.
Check Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay on Amazon
Both grasses have a full review here: Oxbow orchard grass, Oxbow Western Timothy in bulk and Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting.
Related
- Oxbow orchard grass
- Oxbow Western Timothy in bulk
- Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting
- Oxbow vs Small Pet Select Hay
- Hay Rack vs Hay in the Litter Box
- Rabbit diet guides
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much hay should a rabbit eat?
A body sized pile every day, and realistically hay should make up around eighty to ninety per cent of what an adult rabbit eats. It should be available at all times, not rationed. Pellets are a small measured supplement and fresh leafy greens are a daily addition, but the hay is the diet. A rabbit eating little hay is at higher risk of both dental disease and gut stasis.
Should adult rabbits eat alfalfa?
Not as the main hay. Alfalfa is a legume rather than a grass, and it is high in protein and calcium, which suits growing rabbits under about six months and rabbits a vet has asked you to put weight on. Fed long term to an adult it contributes to urinary sludge and obesity. Grass hay is the adult staple, with alfalfa as an occasional handful at most unless your vet says otherwise.
My rabbit has stopped eating hay. What should I do?
Treat that as a warning sign rather than fussiness. Rabbits that go off hay are frequently in pain, and dental disease is the most common reason, since overgrown molar spurs make grinding hay painful long before an owner notices anything. Other signs are dropping food, drooling, a wet chin, weight loss and eye discharge. Book a rabbit vet who will examine the back teeth properly, which needs equipment rather than a look with a torch.
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