I’ve spent some experimenting with different types of hay to see which Dexter prefers. The three main types I’ve tried are Timothy, Meadow, and Oat Hay. Weirdly hay is not just hay, so here’s my findings on the three types we’ve tried.
Timothy Hay – The best hay for quality
Timothy hay is usually pimped out as the premium hay for rabbits. It’s high in fiber, which is essential for your bunny’s digestion and overall health. I’ve found that Dex likes Timothy hay the most, it tends to come shorter cut than meadow hay, I’m not sure why, just something I’ve found, but it does help make it easier to pull out of the bag.
I suffer from mild hay fever, and I’ve found that Timothy Hay tends to be the least irritating compared to other types. It’s also pretty consistent in terms of quality, especially if you buy it from a decent brand.
The only real downside to Timothy Hay I guess is it can get a bit expensive, especially if you’re buying it in larger quantities, meadow hay tends to be the cheaper option.
Meadow Hay – Best for budget
Meadow hay is often a more affordable option, and it’s readily available in most stores. It’s a mix of different grasses, so it’s not as uniform as Timothy hay, it also tends to be hard to pull out of the packet or is that just me?
We stopped getting Dex meadow hay however because of the previously mentioned allergies. Something about meadow hay just sends my eyes scratchy as heck in a way that Timothy Hay doesn’t. But that’s not to say he won’t eat it, so I guess if you don’t suffer from hay allergies then meadow is a perfectly valid option.
Oat Hay – I kinda hate it
I bought oat hay a few times because I noticed in as a new brand in store, or if it’s the only thing I can get hold of online quickly. While oat hay is nutritious and provides a good amount of fiber, Dex turns his nose up at it every time.
I read a lot of benefits of Oat Hay online and the general consensus I see is that oat hay is good for mixing in with other hay types, but not suitable as a standalone. It’s apparently good for bulking up your bunny, but I guess we’ll never know since Dexter won’t touch it.
My recommendation
I’m pretty consistent with my support and purchasing of Excel’s products, and for Dexter I tend to go for their Long Stem Feeding Hay. It’s not the cheapest on the market, but hear me out, you can feel the quality difference compared to other brands. Notably they extract dust particles from the hay which is probably why it’s a godsend for my allergies, but I can just tell Dex is being well fed on this stuff.