Do you have discerning dry grass eaters who are picky about what hay they munch on? Our nutritious, naturally delicious hay range will tempt even the fussiest hay connoisseurs!
15th May 2025
If you’re a small animal, you’ll know that there’s more to hay than meets the eye. While we humans think dried grass is, well, just dried grass, it could be time to open up our eyes to the wonderful world of hay!
For example, did you know that worldwide there are about 10,000 species of grass, with about 160 grass species in Britain and Ireland?
And, when it comes to grass that makes the best feeding hay, there’s a reason why Timothy hay and meadow hay are popular choices.
As well as being super tasty so that small pets really enjoy eating it, these hay varieties provide essential fibre and just the right kind of nutrients that rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchilla and degus require to thrive.
In fact, hay is the staple diet for these small furries and should make up around 85-90% of their daily diet – as a guide, that’s around their own body size in tasty feeding hay every day.
Hand over the hay, human!
Hay provides a whole host of benefits for small furries. Top quality feeding hay is an excellent source of fibre and plays a vital part in ensuring rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus have a healthy digestion. Munching on delicious hay also keeps continuously growing teeth in check, helping to prevent dental disease.What’s more, feeding plenty of high-quality feeding hay, some grass-based nuggets and a few fresh greens will help your rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus maintain healthy skin, coat and eyes.
That’s why it’s essential to choose high quality feeding hay that’s grown especially for eating and is sweet smelling and naturally nutritious. Importantly, munching on top quality hay makes small furries feel good and provides a fantastic boost to their emotional wellbeing.
Hay variety is the spice of life
And, with a choice of deliciously chewy hay mixes available, there’s plenty for your small pets to keep happily chomping on, such as:
- Munchable meadow hay – A natural field-grown product from the Yorkshire countryside that comes in a handy, resealable and fully recyclable box!
- Tasty Timothy hay – Always a favourite with small furries, it’s high in Beneficial fibre, which aids digestion.
- Satisfying long stem feeding hay – The long stems satisfy both chewing for dental health and natural foraging, giving rabbits the emotional enrichment they need.
- Sweet-smelling feeding hay with Dandelion & Marigold – As well as being delicious to eat, it aids urinary tract health and helps build a healthy immune system.
- Dried fresh grass – A delicious, complementary food made from barn-dried grass harvested straight from the field, ideal for those times of year when your lawn is past its best and not so good for grazing on.
Check out our value-for-money mix and match hay bundles! >>
Hay-based treats can be fed every day!
Plus, don’t forget to include some yummy hay-based treats to show your small pet friends just how much you love them.
Nature Snacks are a fantastic way to add variety to your small pets’ diet and are great for hand feeding, to help you build your bond with your small furry friends.
And, because they’re hay-based, your small pets can enjoy them as part of their daily diet. Why not try:
- Forage & Feast Mini Bales – Bite-sized bundles of hay topped with a choice of flavoursome flowers – Cornflower, Rosehip or Marigold.
- Forage & Feast Hay Bars – Perfect for hand feeding, these hay bars come in three appetising varieties – Marigold, Cornflower or Rose.
- Meadow Munchies – Little nibbles of compressed meadow hay mixed with dandelion and camomile – naturally yummy!
- Fruity Feasts – A complementary grass-based healthy snack for rabbits and guinea pigs made with tasty banana and blueberry.
- Herby Hearts – Baked grass-based treats with mixed herbs and apple that are irresistible to rabbits and guinea pigs – and they're naturally healthy too!
- Wildflower Forage – Made with a tempting mix of rose, hibiscus, marigold and cornflower, it’s deal for sprinkling in hay to encourage natural foraging behaviour.
- Luscious Leaves – A healthy treat made with an enticing mix of dandelion leaves, nettle leaves, red clover and ribwort that’s a particular favourite with chinchillas and degus who naturally eat dried foliage along with their hay.
Check out our top tips on hand feeding small pets
Hand feeding some tasty treats is a great way to build a closer bond with your little pets, helping them to associate you with good things and enhancing and enriching your relationship with them.
However, it will take time and patience – but once your small pet pals are happily accepting a tasty treat from your hand, it’s incredibly rewarding. The key is to take things slowly, so that your little chums begin to place their trust in you.
- Am I in danger? Small pets are prey animals, which means they think anything approaching is a potential predator – even you. Don’t loom over them (as a predator in the wild might), but crouch down to meet them at their level.
- What’s happening? Keep your approach slow and steady – small pets can be easily startled and will simply run for cover. Speak to them in a soft, happy voice as you gradually get closer.
- That looks like it could be tasty! Offer some food, so they learn to associate your approach with something good happening. If your pets won’t come close enough to take food from your hand, lightly toss the food to them whenever they come in your direction. Wait until they come a little closer each time before offering food again, while continuing to talk to them in a soothing voice.
- I think I’ll risk it... If your pet does take the food, sit beside them and continue chatting to them. Then, offer them another treat. If your pet looks comfortable and doesn’t back off, you could try giving them a gentle stroke. Do this every day and your pet will begin to approach you, creating some magical animal moments.
- On my own terms Most rabbits will pick this up pretty quickly, as will super smart chinchillas and degus. Shy guinea pigs may take a little longer to gain confidence, but every pet is an individual and it’s essential that they choose to interact with you on their own terms – and it’s that which makes it so rewarding. When your small pet decides that he or she trusts you enough to want to engage in some hand-feeding time with you it’s a great result!
At Burgess Pet Care, we take our hay very seriously indeed...
- We have a long tradition of supporting British farmers. As part of our ongoing commitment, we actively source our ingredients as close to our Yorkshire mill as possible.
- The grass used in our nutritious Excel nuggets for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas and degus is sourced from the UK to meet our stringent specifications and we know exactly which field each batch comes from and the date it was harvested. It’s also exclusive to Burgess. No other pet food manufacturer has access to our grass!
- The grass is harvested when it’s at its lushest to ensure the optimum level of nutrients and fibre, helping to ensure that it delivers all the goodness pet animals require.
- Our grass is grown on an estate that works in partnership with the local wildlife trust and ensures that the grassland is managed to reduce environmental impact and positively encourage biodiversity.
92% OF UK VETS RECOMMEND OUR BURGESS EXCEL SMALL PETS RANGE!
*****With a whole host of five-star reviews, Burgess Excel customers who have purchased our hay have told us: * “Great quality, smells amazing!” * “Excellent quality hay for a very reasonable price. The hay is green and healthy, it smells great, and the strands are long and thick. My rabbit absolutely loves it.” * “Great product. The bunnies loved it!! Big hit.” * “Such fresh smelling hay and beautifully green in colour. My rabbits get so excited when I'm giving them the feeding hay and it’s so beneficial for them.” * “Our guinea pigs love this hay!” *
Check out the Burgess Excel feeding hay range of boxes, bags and bundles! >>
SERVE UP ONLY THE VERY BEST DINNER FOR YOUR SMALL PETS
Our small pets deserve a high-quality diet that’s created just for them. At Burgess, all our foods for small pets is made at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications. We have also launched many innovations. These include the world’s first food specifically formulated for indoor rabbits and the world’s first indoor guinea pig nuggets which are made with a calm formula.
Are your small pets Burgess small pets? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers and rewards.
LET’S GET SOCIAL! Sign up to the Excel Bunny Base or become part of theExcel Squeak Squad on Facebook. Find lots ofadvice and friendly discussions from likeminded owners – and there are lots of cute bunny and piggy photos and videos! Also join us on Instagram.
CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for all your pets from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care. It’s all here >>
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