What is Hay, and why does it matter?

Hay is the name for legumes and grasses which are grown harvested to feed herbivores as a substitute to grazing. In agriculture, it has been cultivated to ensure enough feed is available when there is not enough pasture land. Hay fields and meadows form a natural food filled habitat for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, etc, and hay is essential to the nutrition of these small pets. Hay provides fiber that keeps their digestive systems healthy, supplements important dietary nutrition, and provides essential chewing material that keeps pets continuously growing teeth short.

Most of hay’s nutritional value comes from the leaves, flowers, and seeds that are present when it is harvested. Farmers work to time their cuttings for optimal maturity and nutritional balance in the hay they produce, and to ensure that they handle hay in a way that preserves the leafiness and plant structure that is naturally created on the field.

Over the life of pets, we recommend that you feed progressively more grassy hay varieties – this ensures adequate fiber intake while providing more nutrients to growing pets, and an age-appropriate amount of calcium and protein at all life stages as pets age.

Alfalfa HayTimothy & AlfalfaTimothy Hay
Characteristics

  • perennial legume valued for its hardiness and higher feed value than most grasses
  • small  clover-like leaves
  • branching stems
  • clusters of small purple flowers
  • rich scent
Characteristics

  • a naturally grown mixture of legumes and grasses to blend the qualities of each in a single crop
  • small leaves and flowers of alfalfa
  • long leaves, heads, and smooth stems of timothy
  • uniform mixture of plants
Characteristics

  • perennial grass that’s high in protein and fed to herbivores in many parts of the world
  • timothy heads
  • long leaves
  • smooth stems
  • rich scent and often pollen

image of alfalfa

image of timothy & alfalfa

image of timothy

Feeding

  • most pets prefer this flavor over timothy
  • high feed value – lots of energy
  • richer in protein and calcium – promotes growth and strong bones
  • Good for younger pets, but older ones need to be weaned to a grassy hay.
Feeding

  • combines rich feed value of alfalfa with higher fiber content of timothy
  • helps your pet adjust to the taste of timothy hay
  • a more nutritious substitute to timothy for pregnant, nursing, or older pets that have trouble maintaining their weight
Feeding

  • higher in fiber and lower in protein
  • promotes good digestion and a healthy weight
  • appropriate for pets of all ages
for Babiesfor Weaningfor Adults

How is hay is made

Hay is a farm crop – that means that it’s grown in the warm months of the year. Farmers harvest hay several times, each harvest is called a ‘cut’. It’s mowed, allowed to dry and cure in the sun, and then gets baled up and stored by the farmer.

GrowingCuttingHarvestingStorage

Lots of care is taken to ensure that the crops are healthy, and that the harvested hay is dried and stored to ensure it keeps its freshness.

Dunlea Farms Pet Hay works with Canadian farmers, and we package our Tidy Feeders right on the farm to make sure you get the freshest and best of what’s available.

Learn more:

  • Various external links
  • And so on and so on
Characteristics

  • perennial legume valued for its hardiness and higher feed value than most grasses
  • small leaves, branching stems
  • clusters of small purple flowers
  • rich scent