As a rabbit owner, it is very important that you provide your pet rabbit with all the things they need to thrive. Hay is arguably the most important part of your rabbit’s diet as it has a lot of health benefits for your furry friend. For this reason, you need to make sure they are eating a decent amount of hay every day.
A rabbit hay feeder can be a great way to get your rabbit eating hay, as well as keeping their hay in one place and ensuring their hutch stays cleaner and tidier. But there are a lot of rabbit hay feeders out there, so how do you know which one is best?
Fortunately for you, we have complied a buying guide all about hay feeders so you can learn everything there is to know about them, from what they are useful for to the features you should be looking for. We have even included some of our top picks available to you on Amazon. Keep reading on to find out more.
The Benefits Of Rabbit Hay Feeders
While a hay feeder is not absolutely necessary for keeping your bunny healthy and safe, it can be a fantastic accessory to have for a number of reasons.
Firstly, a hay feeder keeps your rabbit hay in one place! This is excellent if your bunny is mischievous and likes to move their hay around, creating a mess that you have to clean up. A hay feeder also keeps their hay off the ground, so they are much less likely to poop and pee on it. This means you won’t be as much wasted hay and they hay will be kept fresher for longer.
Keeping the hay off the ground, a hay feeder keeps your bunny’s hay at the right height for them. This means they don’t need to bend down to get to it, which can hurt their necks. Some rabbits can also be reluctant to eat hay and, if they are particularly lazy, a hay feeder keeps the hay easily accessible to them.
Rabbit hay feeders can also make eating hay a little more fun for your bunny, because they have to pull the hay out from between the bars of the feeder. This makes it more of a game for them, which is a great way to entice rabbits that do not want to eat hay.
Things To Look For In A Rabbit Hay Feeder
There are a few things to take into consideration when buying a rabbit hay rack to make sure you are purchasing the right one for your bun.
Safe Design
There are different designs of hay racks and you want to make sure the one you pick is going to be safe for your bun. Rabbit hay feeders can be made of different materials, including plastic, wood and metal. All have their benefits, but you should make sure the hay feeder has a smooth design, with no sharp edges or nails that could cut or hurt your rabbit in any way.
Ease of Cleaning
Rabbits need to be cleaned out often to keep their home sanitary and to avoid infection and diseases. You will need to clean their hay feeder often to help with this, so a complicated feeder that takes time to assemble and dissemble is not going to work! Look for rabbit hay feeders that easily attach to your rabbit cage or can be placed inside simply, and is just as easily taken out again for cleaning.
Durability
All rabbit owners know that rabbits can be destructive, so check that your rabbit hay feeders are durable! If the material is thin or flimsy, your rabbit will easily be able to chew through it and destroy it. You’ll have to keep buying a new hay feeder, which can become expensive over time. Make sure the hay feeder is chew-proof and made of thick material.
Versatility
There are different types of rabbit hay feeders. Many hay feeders just contain space for hay, but some are more versatile and also contain an area for pellets. This way, your rabbit has all their food in one place. This will keep their hutch tidy and mean their food is less likely to get dirty.
Size
A rabbit eats a lot of hay and so, unless you want to be refilling their rabbit hay feeders multiple times a day, go for one of a decent size that can hold a considerable amount of hay. The hay rack should always be filled and your rabbit should always have access to fresh hay.
You should also check that the spaces between the bars on the hay feeder you buy aren’t too big. If they are, a lot of hay will fall onto the floor and risk being soiled, so you may end up wasting a lot of hay.
Does My Rabbit Need Hay?
The short answer is yes! Experts recommend that a rabbit diet should be largely hay based, purely because it has so many health benefits.
Hay is good for your rabbit’s digestive system. A rabbit needs to keep their insides moving, with food passing quickly, to stay healthy. The indigestible fiber that is found in hay and grass helps to keep their digestive system working properly, while also giving them nutrients that are absorbed as it is passed through the gut.
Another reason that hay is very important for rabbits is that it helps to grind down their teeth. Rabbit’s teeth are open rooted, which means they are constantly growing throughout their life. If their teeth are not worn down, then they can grow too long and become very painful. This can lead to further health issues through loss of appetite and can sometimes even be fatal within bunnies.
Hay provides your rabbit with just the right amount of nutrients. For thousands of years, rabbits have eaten hay in the wild and this is because it is so beneficial to their health. It contains 12% protein, less than 2% fat and 14-20% fibre for maintenance.
If you’re ready to find the right hay feeder for your rabbit, take a look at the fifteen best hay feeders below, all available to you on Amazon.
The Best Rabbit Hay Feeders — Reviewed
1) STKYGOOD Rabbit Feeder
This hay feeder from STKYGOOD is a two-in-one — it is both a hay feeder and a food bowl! With an area for keeping hay and a food bowl area for pellets below, this feeder keeps your bunny’s food in one place so they know where to find it. It also keeps their food clean and sanitary, and they won’t be able to tip the food out; particularly useful if your bun can be mischievous!
Made from high-quality plastic, the edge of the lower layer is covered by stainless steel which effectively prevents your rabbit from biting it. The hay feeder is easily removable for easy cleaning and the whole feeder connects easily to your bunny’s hutch and can be adjusted to the right height.
2) andwe Hay Feeder
Made from birch wood, this andwe hay feeder is a great hay feeder for smaller rabbits with smaller homes. This feeder can be easily filled by removing the top and placing the hay inside, and the bottom pan can be used as a food bowl area for your rabbit’s pellets. This keeps all their food in one place and prevents extra mess and contamination from the rest of their hutch.
As this feeder is made of wood, it may not be suitable for those rabbits who have a tendency to chew and destroy things! However, it is completely safe and natural wood and will not harm them. It can also be used for other small animals, such as guinea pigs and ferrets.
3) Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Manger with Seat
This hay feeder from Niteangel comes with a lid, perfect for those bunnies that live outside and don’t want their hay getting wet! This lid also doubles as a seat, providing your rabbit with a place to sit, rest and watch the world go by! This hay feeder is large and great for homes with more than one rabbit. It connects easily to any wire hutch or cage and can simply be taken off again for cleaning.
The lid can be opened to refill the hay easily, too. With no sharp edges, there is nothing that can harm your rabbit and the pine wood used to construct this feeder is safe for all bunnies.
4) andwe Cylindrical Hay Feeder
Another feeder from andwe, this cylindrical hay feeder is made from birch wood and provides your small pet with easy access to their hay. The design means they can access their hay from all angles and the large volume means it can be used in homes with more than one bunny. You can easily refill this hay feeder by taking the top off and it can simply be moved around your rabbit’s hutch or cage as it does not need to be attached to wire. The wood is completely safe for rabbit’s to chew on and there are no sharp edges that can hurt your bun on this feeder.
5) Kaytee Natural Wooden Hay Manger
This hay feeder from Kaytee is made of natural, dye-free wood providing a safe and easy way to dispense hay to your bun without making a mess of their hutch. The feeder attaches easily to a wire hutch with clips and can easily be taken off again for cleaning. Because the wood is safe, they can chew on it without doing themselves any harm and there are no sharp corners or nails of this feeder that will hurt them. 6.5 inches long, this feeder fits well into most hutches, without taking up too much room.
6) Niteangel Grass and Food Double Use Feeder
Another feeder from Niteangel, this feeder is another that has a double use — it can be used both as a hay feeder and as a food feeder for your rabbit. Keeping their food in one place, this feeder will help to keep your rabbit’s cage tidy, without wasting any pellets or hay that may be soiled otherwise. The feeder itself is made of natural wood and is completely safe for them to chew, and also does not have any sharp edges or nails that could hurt them. It connects easily to any wire hutch and can simply be taken off again when it is time to clean.
7) SunGrow Rabbit Hay Feeder Rack
This hay rack from SunGrow is made from a combination of metal and plastic, making it very durable and chew-proof. The edge of the lower layer is covered by stainless steel for further protection from chewing, too. The wire is spring loaded to hold the hay in place and the entire feeder can be adjusted so that it is the right height for your bun. It attaches easily to their hutch or cage and is therefore easy to take off and clean, and is also simple to refill. This hay feeder is the perfect size for many different hutches — whether you have one rabbit or a whole litter!
8) GABraden Nylon Hay Bag
This nylon bag from GABraden is a little different to the other hay feeders on our list. This bag is made of 1200D nylon and has two openings for your rabbit to access the hay. Made completely of material and without any plastic, metal or wood, this hay feeder is completely safe for your rabbit and ensures they won’t hurt themselves while eating. While the bag itself can seem flimsy, it is very durable and resistant to chewing and biting.
This hay bag attaches easily to any hutch and can simply be refilled. It is also easy to clean when needed. Even better, it has an adjustable hand-held design which means it is great for taking with your bun on vacation.
9) Ware Manufacturing Hay Feeder with Salt Lick
This bunny hay feeder from Ware Manufacturing is made of all metal and is great for homes with smaller rabbits. The metal is powder coated, making it chew proof, as well as being safe for your bun and less likely to harm them. This hay rack is simple to attach to their hutch using the hooks and can be used either inside or outside of the hutch, so you can adjust it to the perfect height for your rabbit. It also features a snap lock lid that reduces wasted food and helps keep the cage mess free. Even better, this hay feeder comes with a complimentary salt lick for your furry friend!
10) Kaytee Food Dispenser
Another hay feeder from Kaytee, this is a two-in-one — it is both a hay feeder and a food bowl for your rabbit. Keeping all your bunny’s food in one place so they know where it is, this feeder means less mess and less wastage of hay and food. Made of a plastic and wood composite, this feeder is completely safe for your rabbit and will not hurt them.
It is also chew-proof and durable, lasting you a long time. The hay is kept in place by metal bars, and carabiner clips allow you to attach the feeder to the hutch easily and take it off again for cleaning. These clips also allow you to adjust it to the right height for your rabbit.
11) Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball
This hay ball from Ware Manufacturing is a fun and exciting way to dispense hay to your rabbit! Perfect if you’re having trouble getting your bun to eat hay, this ball turns eating into a game for them as it hangs from the top of their hutch. Easily attaching with a clip, this fun ball not only keeps their cage clean and reduces hay waste, but is also completely safe.
Made from powder coated metal, there is no chance of your rabbit hurting themselves as they try to get the hay out. There is a buffet bell attached to the ball for further fun and the whole feeder can easily be cleaned as and when is needed.
12) WINNIGUINEAPOO Rabbit Hay Feeder
This hay feeder from WINNIGUINEAPOO is not just a feeder, but it is also a fun toy that encourages exercise and foraging behavior within your rabbit. While this toy keeps your rabbit’s teeth filed down, this feeder will will also keep them active and entertained. This is particularly useful for bunnies who don’t naturally want to eat hay and need a little encouragement.
The cylinder shape of the toy will keep them moving as they try to chase it around the room as it rolls! The cardboard that this toy is made with is rolled tightly for maximum durability, but if your rabbit is an aggressive chewer then this might not be the feeder for them.
13) Oxbow Enriched Life Apple Stick Hay Feeder
This apple stick hay feeder from Oxbow is another great feeder to entice those rabbits who don’t want to eat hay. Stuff the feeder with hay and, as they pull it out, they can also gnaw on the apple sticks — keeping them happy and entertained! Excellent for their dental health, this feeder helps to grind down their teeth while also encouraging and satisfying their chewing and foraging needs. It also keeps them both physically and mentally stimulated while eating the hay. This feeder easily attaches to any hutch and can simply be removed for cleaning when needed.
14) Wontee Rabbit Hay Ball
This hay ball from Wontee is made of stainless steel, providing a durable and completely safe hay feeder for your rabbit. Chew-proof, this hay ball combines both a feeder and a toy in one. While it can easily be hung from their hutch as a feeder, keeping their hay clean and off the ground, it can also be used as a toy that your rabbit can push around. This will encourage them to eat hay, while also keeping them mentally and physically stimulated. When not being used as a hay feeder, you can also hide snacks in this metal ball, keeping your rabbit occupied as they try to get retrieve it!
15) Little Giant Steel Animal Feeder
This hay feeder is perfect for any home, particularly if you have more than one rabbit and need a large amount of hay easily accessible. Made from heavy-gauge, galvanized steel, this feeder is perfect for both indoor and outdoor homes as it is weather-resistant and rust-resistant. The rounded edges of the feeder also ensure that your rabbit is safe while accessing their hay, so there is no chance of them hurting or cutting themselves on the steel.
This feeder can also be used as a pellet feeder and has a sifter bottom to filter particles and dust out of the rabbit’s food or hay. Easily attachable to any rabbit hutch, this feeder can be refilled using the hinged lid and the gravity design means it can dispense several days’ worth of feed a little at a time.
Rabbit Hay FAQ’s
What else can my rabbit eat aside from hay?
While it is recommended that your rabbit eats a diet that primarily consists of hay, you can also feed them other food. This could be some fresh vegetables every morning (such as leafy green vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower leaves, radish, rocket etc) and a small amount of pellets. Pellets should only be fed to your rabbit in moderation. Some owners even choose not to feed their bunnies pellets, sticking to a vegetable and hay diet.
How much hay should my rabbit be eating?
Hay should make up at least 80 to 90 percent of your rabbit’s diet. You should aim to feed them an amount that is the same size as their body size every day, and it should always be fresh and available to them. You will need to throw away any wet or soiled hay, but you can leave day-old hay in their hutch and keep topping up.
Summary
Rabbit hay feeders can be a fantastic addition to your rabbit’s hutch. As hay is an important part of their diet, it can be a good idea to keep it somewhere safe and secure, where your rabbit knows where it is and where it is not going to get dirty or pooped and peed on! A hay feeder keeps your rabbit’s hay in one place, and can even encourage them to eat more if they are reluctant. Do you think you’ll be purchasing one for your bun?