Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay Review
A Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting timothy hay review: stem to leaf balance, uncompressed packing, price per pound, and when first cutting is the better buy.
What a second cutting actually is, and why it is the hay for a rabbit that snubs the coarse stuff.
The verdict: Second cutting timothy sits between the coarse stem of first cutting and the soft leafiness of third, and Small Pet Select ships it uncompressed in a box, which is why it wins over rabbits that reject stalky hay. Buy it if your rabbit picks at hay or you have a small mouth or a senior to feed. Skip it if your rabbit already eats coarse hay happily, because first cutting has more of the tough stem that wears molars and costs less per pound.
Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Perfect Blend Timothy Hay, 12 lb
~$37
Twelve pounds of hand-packed, US-grown second cutting timothy hay shipped uncompressed in a corrugated box.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Quantity | 12 lb |
|---|---|
| Cut | Second cutting timothy |
| Balance | Stem, seed head and leaf, described by the maker as a balance of the three |
| Packing | No compression packing, shipped in a high-strength corrugated box |
| Origin | 100 percent US grown |
| Handling | Hand-packed in small batches |
| Guarantee | 100 percent satisfaction guarantee from the maker |
Specifications above come from Small Pet Select's published product information. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Uncompressed packing is the real difference. Compressed hay arrives with broken strands, and long strand structure is what makes a rabbit chew properly.
- Second cutting is softer and greener than first, which reliably tempts rabbits that walk away from stalky hay.
- The corrugated box is a hay storage container out of the gate, and rabbits dig in it happily, which is free enrichment.
- Hand-packing in small batches means less of the dust and stalk that mass-baled hay carries.
- The satisfaction guarantee is unusual in this category and takes some of the risk out of trying a $37 box on a picky rabbit.
Where it falls short
- It costs more per pound than buying timothy in bulk, and hay is a lifelong repeat purchase where price per pound compounds.
- Softer hay means less tough stem, and tough stem is what grinds molars down. A rabbit fed exclusively on soft hay gets less dental wear than one eating coarser first cutting.
- Twelve pounds is a modest quantity for a bonded pair, so a two-rabbit household will be reordering often.
- Hay is farmed, so batch variation is unavoidable. Some boxes arrive greener and softer than others regardless of brand.
- Second cutting is often described as the compromise cut, and for a rabbit with no hay problem to solve there is no clear advantage over first cutting.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of Small Pet Select's second cutting are unusually enthusiastic on smell and colour, with owners repeatedly describing it as fresher and greener than supermarket or pet shop hay and noting that fussy rabbits took to it when other hay had failed. The uncompressed packing is singled out often, since compressed hay comes out of the bag as a broken mat. The box itself gets a surprising amount of praise, because rabbits use it as a digging box and a hide.
The consistent criticism is price per pound. It is meaningfully more expensive than buying timothy in 20 or 40 lb bulk, and owners who need a lot of hay tend to move to the bigger boxes once they know their rabbit will eat it. Owners also note the same batch variation that affects every hay brand, which is a fact of agriculture rather than a failure of the company.
On which cut to buy, the honest answer is that most rabbits do best with a mixture, because coarser stem does the dental work and softer leaf keeps intake up. Our Oxbow versus Small Pet Select comparison covers the brand question, and timothy versus orchard grass covers the next option to try if a rabbit still refuses. For bulk value once your rabbit has chosen, see our Oxbow 40 lb review and our orchard grass review, both in the timothy hay roundup. If a rabbit that previously ate hay has stopped, that is a dental question for a vet before it is a hay question.
Who it suits
- Owners of rabbits that pick at or refuse coarse, stalky hay.
- People with dwarf breeds or seniors, where a smaller mouth or worn teeth make stem hard work.
- Anyone who wants hay that arrives with its long strands intact.
Who should skip it
- Owners whose rabbit already eats first cutting happily, who are paying more for no benefit.
- Multi-rabbit households, where 12 lb goes quickly and bulk makes far more sense.
- Anyone whose rabbit needs maximum dental wear, where coarser hay does more work.
Alternatives worth considering
Small Pet Select 1st Cut Timothy Hay, 10 lb
~$35
Coarser, stemmier and higher in the tough fibre that grinds molars flat. It is the better hay for a rabbit with no appetite problem, and the one to choose if dental wear is your main concern.
Check price on AmazonOxbow Western Timothy Hay, High Fiber, 40 lb
~$85
Far cheaper per pound once you know your rabbit will eat timothy. The strands compress in shipping and it is coarser than second cutting, so it is the step to take after the fussy phase is over, not during it.
Check price on AmazonOxbow Orchard Grass Hay, 40 oz Bag, Pack of 2
~$24
If a rabbit refuses timothy in any cut, orchard grass is the usual next step, being softer and sweeter smelling. It is also the answer for owners whose own timothy allergy makes handling the hay unpleasant.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Oxbow vs Small Pet Select hay
- Timothy vs orchard grass hay
- Why won't my rabbit eat hay
- Hay types compared
- Best timothy hay for rabbits
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Editor's Pick ยท Affiliate link
A Chew-Proof Two Storey Hutch
Rabbits chew everything, and a wooden hutch becomes a repair project and a health risk once it is soaked and gnawed. A full metal frame with two levels gives the vertical space rabbits actually use, and it survives the chewing that destroys cheaper housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 1st, 2nd and 3rd cutting timothy hay?
They are successive harvests from the same fields in one growing season. First cutting is coarser, stemmier and higher in the tough fibre that wears molars. Second cutting is a balance of stem, leaf and seed head, softer and greener. Third cutting is very soft and leafy with little stem. Most rabbits do best on first or second, and offering a mix is a reasonable approach. Third cutting alone is generally too soft to do the dental work grass hay is supposed to do.
Is second cutting timothy hay good for rabbits?
Yes, and for many rabbits it is the easiest hay to get them eating. The balance of stem and leaf gives enough tough fibre for chewing while staying palatable. The thing to avoid is drifting from second cutting into progressively softer hay because your rabbit prefers it, since softer hay means less dental wear. If your rabbit will only eat very soft hay, that preference itself is worth mentioning to a vet, because it can point to molar pain.
Small Pet Select or Oxbow hay: which is better?
Both are good, and the difference is mainly packing and price. Small Pet Select ships uncompressed in boxes, so the strands arrive intact and it smells fresher out of the box. Oxbow is easier to find, comes in bigger bulk sizes and costs less per pound. If your rabbit is fussy, start with Small Pet Select. If your rabbit eats anything, buy Oxbow in bulk. Our Oxbow versus Small Pet Select comparison goes through it properly.
How much hay does a rabbit need a day?
As a working guide, a pile roughly the size of the rabbit itself, refreshed at least once a day and available at all times. Hay should be 80 to 90 percent of an adult rabbit's total intake, which is far more than most new owners expect. The practical trick is to put hay where the rabbit already spends time, most obviously beside or in the litter box, because rabbits eat and pass droppings at the same time and that habit works in your favour.
My rabbit stopped eating hay. What should I do?
Treat it as a health question first. Dental disease, and molar spurs in particular, make chewing long fibre painful and are the most common reason a rabbit that used to eat hay stops. Other causes include gut slowdown, pain elsewhere and stress. Book a rabbit-savvy vet rather than working through hay brands, and if your rabbit has eaten nothing at all for twelve hours or has stopped passing droppings, that is an emergency and needs same-day veterinary contact.
Need more help caring for your rabbit?
Browse our guides by topic to find practical solutions.
Wellness Planner: $39