Rat Hay

Irresistible hay for your Rat, from the heart of the Cotswolds

Our ultra-premium hay is the ideal product for healthy, happy rats, with a delicious botanical aroma, natural fibrous texture and packed with minerals and nutritional content for small pets and rodents.

Rats can eat considerable amounts of hay as part of a balanced diet to keep their teeth strong and in great condition, with fragrant hay promoting natural foraging skills which encourage movement and keep rats engaged and mentally active.

Rat Hay FAQs

  • What makes Little Hay Co hay different?

    • Regular hay is made outside in the field which risks getting rained on to greatly reduce quality, staying near soil after harvest for too long and being infected by spores and getting bleached in the sun.

      At The Little Hay Co we cut the grass conventionally and leave it in the sun for 24 hours - but then we pick it up loose and dry it with dehumidified air in our specially built hay drying barn prior to packaging it up for you.

      The difference in quality from most other hays is clear to see - and all grown, made and packaged on our farm in the Cotswolds, UK.

  • What are the different cuts of hay you sell?

    • We sell a variety of cuts, including first, second and third cut and these encompass differing textures, grasses and hardness.

  • Why do you use different grasses?

    • In nature your pet species would naturally graze throughout the four seasons, during which grasses taste different and have different textures.  This variety is what we replicate for you, but try to offer your pet the Spring to Autumn choice as Winter grasses are not always very appetising.

  • Why do you grow different grasses?

    • We grow different grasses to suit your rat’s needs but also due to different species ripening at different times, it also extends our harvest window as we endeavour to make enough to keep you stocked up all year round.

  • How do you control and ensure the quality at Little Hay Co throughout the year?

    • We tend our pastures very carefully throughout the year to ensure that they are in tip top condition when it comes to harvest.  By use of the hay drying barn we then preserve this quality, even in the most British of summers!  We make enough stock to store over the winter to provide you wherever possible a steady supply.  In Spring we start our harvest all over again to bring you a fresh supply.

  • Which type of hay should I buy?

    • Timothy Hay is quite a hard hay with deliciously large seed heads.  It is good for nutrition and dental care.

      Silky Soft Hay is not quite so hard as Timothy but slightly more nutritious.

      Cotswold Sweet Hay is very, very palatable but offers less wear on the teeth - great to build condition, great to burrow in and great to hide and sleep in.  This is often the most sought after hay.

  • How much hay should I feed my rat?

    • The general rule is to feed your rat the same volume of hay as their furry bodies are - but as always do consult your vet if you have detailed questions on your individual pet.

  • What else should I feed my rat as well as hay?

    • Rats like treats, but this should be no more than 15% of their diet.  Without this balance of 15% treats to 85% hay dental and digestive problems can occur.  If you notice any worrying symptoms, please consult your vet.

  • What are the key benefits of high quality hay for my rat?

    • If you cannot feed enough hay to your rat, its teeth and digestive system will suffer.  As rats are notoriously selective (even fussy!) it's ideal to offer them the best choice you can to encourage a regulated and balanced daily consumption of their own volition.  We want your rat to be excited to see our hay each day!

  • How long will it take for my order to arrive?

    • Orders placed before 1pm weekdays will be sent for next day delivery, excluding bank holidays and weekends.

  • Which carrier will deliver my order?

    • DPD are our chosen carrier

  • My order has arrived damaged, who should I contact?

  • What is your refund & exchange policy?

    • We welcome your feedback and are happy to provide a no quibble replacement if there is dissatisfaction. If we cannot correct an issue, of course we will refund you.  This works for only one incident a year - more than that and we will arrange with you a collection of the product to provide both parties with a better understanding.

      If your question isn’t answered above, please email our team and we will be happy to help: info@littlehayco.com

Nutritional Breakdown of Hay and Grass*

Cotswold Sweet/Rye Timothy Silky Meadow
Moisture 9.0% 9.0% 12.5% 10.5%
Crude protein 6.7% 4.7% 10.6% 6.1%
Oil 2.0% 2.0% 2.7% 2.5%
Ash 6.2% 4.9% 8.4% 6.1%
Sugars 6.7% 8.2% 9.1% 8.1%
Calcium 35% 21% 46% 30%
Crude Fibre 23.9% 29.8% 22% 30.1%
DE 8MJ/KG 7.5MJ/KG 9.5MJ/KG 9.0MJ/KG

The Little Hay Co. Refined Production Methods

Each bale of sweet, green hay we produce has been collected directly from the field within 24 hours of cutting, preserving those essential ingredients and flavours that are enticing for rats and other pet rodents.

We use a barn-drying technique to retain a consistent 12% moisture content all year round, using special weather-controlled processes to ensure each box and bale is as fresh and nutritious as possible.

Rats and mice often eat hay, with a fantastic texture for their teeth, and as a nutritional supplement to support healthy digestion. They also use hay for nesting, so superior hay without dust, damp, mould, or spores is vital to their health – poor quality hay can be severely detrimental to cage hygiene. In contrast, our exceptional hay is warm, healthy and a multi-purpose product.