Rabbits and guinea pigs love grazing fresh grass, but whether they live outdoors or stay inside year-round, hay is essential for their health. Hay for rabbits and guinea pigs supports digestion, keeps teeth healthy, and should always form the bulk of their diet.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to safely let your pets enjoy the garden, why hay remains crucial, and how forage blends bring the goodness of nature indoors.

Grazing the Garden: Safe Outdoor Time for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

When the weather allows, letting your pets graze the garden is a wonderful way to enrich their day. Here’s how to do it safely:

✔ Inspect the garden first – Make sure the area is secure, free from poisonous plants, and protected from predators.
✔ Introduce fresh grass slowly – Gradually increase outdoor time to avoid upsetting delicate tummies.
✔ Supervise carefully – Always watch your pets while they’re outdoors, even in a fenced garden.
✔ Provide shelter and water – Shade and access to fresh water are essential, especially on warmer days.

While grass offers natural variety, it contains less fibre than hay. Even rabbits and guinea pigs who graze outside must have unlimited access to hay every day.

Why Hay Is Essential for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Hay isn’t just a snack—it’s the foundation of a healthy diet. It should make up at least 80% of what your rabbit or guinea pig eats daily.

✅ Promotes healthy digestion and prevents gut stasis.
✅ Wears down teeth naturally, preventing painful dental issues.
✅ Encourages natural chewing behaviour for mental stimulation.

Fresh grass alone doesn’t provide enough fibre. Feeding high-quality hay is vital for maintaining your pet’s wellbeing, whether they spend time outdoors or live inside full-time.

For Indoor Pets: Bring the Garden Inside with Forage Blends

If your rabbits or guinea pigs stay indoors all year round, they can still enjoy the flavours and variety of nature! A forage blend offers a wonderful way to enrich their diet and environment.

Look for blends that include:
✔ Tasty herbs – Such as dandelion, parsley, and chamomile.
✔ Edible flowers – Like marigold, hibiscus, and rose petals.
✔ Safe twigs and leaves – Including apple wood or dandelion roots

Adding a forage blend to your pets’ daily routine helps:

✅ Encourage natural foraging behaviours.
✅ Provide mental stimulation and prevent boredom.
✅ Support healthy digestion and dental care through variety and texture.

Forage is the perfect way to bring the goodness of the garden indoors, keeping your pets happy, healthy, and engaged all year round.

Final Thought: Hay First, Forage Always

Whether your rabbits and guinea pigs are munching grass outdoors or snuggled safely inside, their diet must always be based on high-quality hay. Fresh grass and forage blends are wonderful additions, but hay remains the most important part of keeping your small pets healthy.

🐰 Looking for premium hay and natural forage blends?
Shop our range of premium hay here

Treat your pets to the taste of nature every day—because a happy pet starts with the right nutrition. 🌿