Hay is an important part of a chinchilla’s diet, since it can be given often and provides a great deal of nutrients. However, there are many options available, so choosing the best chinchilla hay can be a challenge. Here, we look at quality, cost, and quantity to review some of the best hay choices.
10. Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra Premium Hand Packed Alfalfa
Ideal for: Chinchillas, rabbits, and guinea pigs
Although it must be given in moderation, alfalfa hay is a nutritious treat for chinchillas. It’s packed with calcium and protein, and is especially good for growing chinchillas. This particular hay is packaged fresh and is high quality, so it’s a good choice for the best chinchilla hay.
- Healthy treat option
- Packaged fresh
- Contains calcium and protein
- Must be given in moderation
9. Viking Farmer Alfalfa Hay for Small Pets
Ideal for: Chinchillas and other small pets
This hay is packed with calcium and protein, so it’s the perfect choice for a chinchilla treat. This hay is grown without pesticides or GMOs by a small farmer. In addition, the hay has no additives, so it’s safe and healthy.
- Grown by a small farmer
- No pesticides or GMOs
- No additives in the hay
- Must be given in moderation
8. Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra Premium Hand Packed Soft Orchard Grass
Ideal for: Chinchillas and rabbits
Orchard grass is a grass hay, which is low in calcium and protein, so it’s safe to give often or even leave available for free grazing. This hay is soft and easy to digest, so it’s a good choice for all chinchillas, even those with sensitive digestive systems.
- Different sized bags available
- Soft and easy to digest
- Low in calcium and protein
- May be drier than other hays
7. Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting “Perfect Blend” Timothy Hay Pet Food
Ideal for: Small pets such as chinchillas
Timothy hay is one of the top choices for chinchilla hay because it’s low in calcium and protein, so it can be fed as a staple of a chinchilla’s diet. This particular hay is the second cutting, so it’s largely made up of flowers and leafy pieces, which are softer and easier to digest.
- Leaves and flowers for easy digestion
- Low in protein and calcium
- Quality may be inconsistent
6. Standlee Hay Companion Premium Timothy Grass Hand-Selected Forage
Ideal for: Chinchillas and other small pets
Grown naturally without pesticides, this hay is mostly made up of stem pieces. These pieces are a bit tougher than other pieces, but this encourages natural chewing behavior and also helps to promote good dental health. In addition, this timothy hay has no additives, so it’s safe for chinchillas.
- Promotes dental health
- Grown naturally
- No additives
- More expensive than other hays available
5. Kaytee Timothy Hay
Ideal for: Chinchillas, rabbits, and other small pets
Because this timothy hay is a blend of the first and second hay cuts, it’s a good mix of both soft leaf pieces and somewhat tougher stem pieces.
This is easier to digest than all stem pieces, but also promotes dental health and natural chewing behavior. This makes it a good choice for the best chinchilla hay.
- First and second cutting blend
- Stem and leaf pieces included
- Quality may be inconsistent
4. Kaytee Timothy Hay for Rabbits and Small Animals
Ideal for: Small pets such as chinchillas
Available in four flavors—mango, mint, carrot, or cranberry—this timothy hay also has dried fruits and vegetables added to increase both taste and nutritional value.
Chinchillas are more likely to eat foods that are flavorful and interesting, so this is a good choice for the best chinchilla hay.
- Available in four flavors
- Fruits and vegetables added for flavor and nutrients
- Hay may be dustier or finer than other options
3. Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra Premium, Hand Packed Third Cut Timothy Hay
Ideal for: Chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets
This timothy hay is packaged when it’s fresh so it’s greener and fresher once it reaches the customer. Because this is the third cut of hay, it’s made up mostly of the softer grass blade parts.
It has few stems, which makes it a good choice for a daily meal or for chinchillas with sensitive digestive systems.
- Packaged fresh
- Third cut
- Mostly soft grass blades
- More expensive than other hay options
2. FarmerDavePetSupply 3lb First Cut Timothy Hay
Ideal for: Chinchillas and other small pets
This hay is the first cut, so it’s made up mostly of stem pieces, which is good for dental health. It’s grown organically, without pesticides, and there are no chemicals added. In addition, this hay is sun dried, so there’s much less of a risk of mold.
- Sun dried
- Grown organically without chemicals
- Mostly stem pieces
- More expensive than other hay options
1. Oxbow Timothy Hay
Ideal for: Small animals such as chinchillas
High in fiber but low in protein, this timothy hay is a good choice for the best chinchilla hay. It’s hand selected and is also sorted by hand so that only the best hay is included in the package. Because it’s timothy, this can be fed daily or offered for free-grazing.
- High in fiber
- Packed for freshness
- Hand selected and sorted
- Quality may not be consistent
Conclusion
Choosing the proper diet for your chinchilla is key to your pet’s health and hay is a large part of that diet. However, with so many different options it can be difficult to choose correctly.
Taking quality and type of hay into account can help owners pick the best chinchilla hay. Talking with other chinchilla owners can also help—share your favorite hays and what your chinchillas love to eat!
The TPR Team invites you to read informative pieces and specialized opinions from experts in all things dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, rabbits, and all things pet, in general.
