Last Updated on February 20, 2023 by Marjon Ramos
When people say “horse hay,” they are often referring to Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, or timothy hay, as these are the most common hay fed to horses.
Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, timothy hay, or any kind of hay fed to horses can be fed to rabbits. But as much as possible, pick timothy hay, as this is the best hay to feed a rabbit.
A lot of rabbit owners often buy their hay from horse farms in bales to save money. Be warned though, hay from these places is often dusty, which can be a problem for rabbits that have respiratory problems.
Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article read on as I explain in more detail if rabbits can eat horse hay:
Table of Contents
Would rabbits intentionally eat horse hay?
Yes, horse hay or hay that is fed to horses like Timothy would be devoured by rabbits. Horses and rabbits have similar diets, so if the hay is “horse quality”, your rabbit would likely eat it.
What type of horse hay is best for rabbits?
In order to find the best hay for rabbits, we must first discuss what people refer to when they say horse hay.
Here are the most common types of hay that is fed to horses:
- Alfalfa
- Clover
- Timothy Grass
- Orchardgrass
- Fescue
- Reed Canary Grass
- Bluegrass
- Bromegrass
- Redtop Grass
- Cereal Hay
Out of all the horse hay above, the best are alfalfa and timothy hay. Alfalfa hay is best for young growing rabbits due to its high calcium content.
While timothy is the best hay you can feed to adult rabbits because they have lower calcium levels and the highest in fiber.
Is horse hay safe to be eaten by rabbits?
Yes, horse quality hay is safe for rabbits because horses and rabbits have similar diets. Just make sure to change your rabbit’s hay to timothy if it is already fully grown.
Alfalfa hay has too much calcium in it and should only be fed to young growing rabbits to maximize growth. Feeding alfalfa hay to adult rabbits would just increase their risk of renal problems due to the excess calcium in their urine.
How much horse hay can a rabbit eat?
The amount of horse hay you should feed your rabbits depends on your rabbit’s current weight and age.
You can use the diet portion calculator below to see how much horse hay (hay) you should feed your rabbits per day:
Diet Portion Calculator For Rabbits
Conclusion
Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, timothy hay, or any kind of hay fed to horses can be fed to rabbits.
Timothy hay is the best hay for rabbits because it is high in fiber and low in calcium. Alfalfa hay is best for young growing rabbits due to its high calcium content.
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