How Much Hay Does Your Nibbler Need?
If you’ve ever glanced at an empty hay rack and wondered how it vanished so quickly, you’re in familiar territory. One moment it’s full, the next it’s bare, and you’re left questioning whether you’re overfeeding.
You’re not. For rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small nibblers, fast-disappearing hay is usually a sign that things are exactly as they should be.
Hay isn’t a side dish in their world. It’s the foundation of digestion, dental health, comfort, and daily routine. And the amount they go through isn’t fixed, it shifts gently with seasons, life stages, and appetite.
The easiest guideline is this:
Hay should be availale
Hay isn’t a side snack. It should make up around 80–90% of your nibbler’s diet. Rather than measuring, think visually. A good hay pile is at least the size of your nibbler. When you top it up, there should still be some left underneath. Your nibbler should never be waiting for more.
A good visual check:
- The pile should be at least as big as your nibbler
- When you top it up, there should still be some left underneath
- They should never be “waiting” for hay
Even short gaps without hay can slow digestion, and that’s when issues can start. Constant access keeps everything moving the way it should.
Does the season change things? 🍃❄️
Yes. Seasonal changes often change appetite and resting time, so difference in hay use is normal.
During cooler months:
- Pets often eat more hay
- They burn more energy staying warm
- Hay also doubles as nesting and comfort
You might start to notice:
- Hay racks emptying faster
- More lounging in the hay
- Extra munching overnight
During warmer months:
- Some pets eat slightly less
- They may nap more and graze slowly
- Fresh veg intake often increases
Just plan to top up a little more or less often, as eating and resting usually go through changes during these phase.
Age matters more than people think 🐣🐰
Young nibblers are hay machines. Growing bodies need fuel, and constant chewing supports jaw and tooth development. Their eating is often messy, with plenty pulled out and scattered. That waste is part of learning.
Adults usually settle into steady, predictable patterns. Most graze all day rather than eating large amounts at once. Because their habits are consistent, sudden changes in hay interest are worth paying attention to.
Seniors still need unlimited hay, but preferences may shift. Softer, dust-free strands often win, and they may eat smaller amounts more frequently. For older nibblers, freshness and texture can matter just as much as quantity.
What hay habits quietly tell you 👀
Hay is one of the best health indicators, if you watch without rushing to judge.
Healthy signs include long strands being pulled out, hay eaten evenly rather than only the “nice bits,” and plenty of regular droppings.
Things worth pausing over include only nibbling soft pieces, hay being left untouched, or droppings becoming smaller or fewer. When hay interest drops, it’s rarely simple fussiness. A refresh, a different cut, or a quick health check often makes a big difference.
And yes, waste is normal
Hay isn’t just food. It’s bedding, enrichment, and comfort. Some of it will be sat on, dug through, dragged out, and ignored. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t needed. If waste feels excessive, small tweaks help. A combination of a hay rack and a floor pile often works well. Refreshing little and often, and removing old hay before topping up, keeps things appealing. Clean hay invites eating; stale hay gets snubbed.
The calm takeaway 🌾
There’s no perfect scoop size. No exact daily number.If hay is always available, smells fresh, and keeps disappearing, you’re doing it right. Your nibbler doesn’t need precision, they need availability, quality, and consistency.
And possibly another top-up…
right after you’ve just filled it.
Stock Up on Hay Now →