Hay? Needed in hamster diet?

[Anthorn]

Hay is an integral part of both hamster nutrition and hamster well-being since it is abrasive and helps to wear down teeth and is high in protein and fibre. It's highlighted on the web sites of many if not most hamster feed manufacturers. But typically we don't give hay to our hamsters which is something of a shortcoming.

Hay is dried grass, pure and simple and dried lawn clippings is hay. The most recommended is Timothy hay which as might be expected is dried Timothy grass and is said to be the most abrasive and better for rodents' teeth.

The big problem is that you get a lot of it and so there's a lot of waste if all you have is one hamster. The other problem is that hay can harbour mites which can be killed by microwaving a portion of hay for around 10 secs. Another problem is storage: If you've bought your hay in a plastic bag it can be left in the bag for a month because in order to pack it as such it has to be drier than in a bale. If you've bought a bale of it then you'll need a hay storage bin and also turn over the hay regularly. Stale hay is easy to recognise because it's mostly brown and not green. Lastly, it has to be kept in the dark away from light.

I have two recommendations which my hamsters love: JR Farm Flower Meadow (zooplus) and Oxbow Western Timothy Hay (Amazon)

Edit: Forgot to mention that the JR Farm Flower Meadow hay is a lot thinner than the Oxbow Western Timothy so possibly more suitable for hamsters. However my hamsters seem to prefer the Oxbow.

Edit 2: Most packets and bales of hay have some harder stems and seed heads. The stems need to be removed and only the softer grass "leaf" used. The JR Farm flower meadow is a lot softer than the Oxbow if that's a concern but some hamster won't like the marigold flowers in it. The seed heads are much enjoyed by hamsters that like millet sprays and can be left in.

[BrainGirl]

Be careful about giving lawn clippings. For one thing most people cut their lawns with power machinery and there will likely be traces of petrochemicals left behind. Furthermore, even if you don't spray pesticides yourself and even if your local government has banned them, if your neighbours are anything like mine they will have a stash of them that they spray without regard to weather conditions and the wind could well carry them to your lawn...or into your house.

[icklemunch]

Thanks for this. I have oxbow infact a huge 4kg box for my bunny. Will try my two hams with some.

[mouseandstrawberry]

You can buy sample packs of hay in most shops.

chinchilla2shop sells natural flowers, grasses and hays in smaller quantities.


Weeds are much better for them than hay and can be bought dried out or be done yourself. All my pets love weeds, clover dandelion, plantain that sort of thing

[BrainGirl]

Originally Posted by mouseandstrawberry

You can buy sample packs of hay in most shops.

chinchilla2shop sells natural flowers, grasses and hays in smaller quantities.


Weeds are much better for them than hay and can be bought dried out or be done yourself. All my pets love weeds, clover dandelion, plantain that sort of thing

Actually, that's a good point. Chickweed and nettle are especially healthy greens and are easily found in herbal shops. At least around here. People make tea out of them

[SamanthaJane]

So we should give hamsters hay? I have rabbits so have bales of farm hay. How much they have and how often?

[icklemunch]

Mine love dandelion leaves i grow them for my bunny.

[Amethyst_ice]

I would be careful giving hamster hay as the sharp points can damage the pouches, not worth the risk imo x

[Anthorn]

Originally Posted by SamanthaJane

So we should give hamsters hay? I have rabbits so have bales of farm hay. How much they have and how often?

I just throw a handful of it in the bottom of the cage and replace it every day. Some of it does get mixed up in the bedding and taken to the nest. Trixie make an 8cm hay rack which fixes to a wire cage and which is good if you have a platform but pretty much useless if you don't and you have a deep base to your cage.

[Gazmo]

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

I would be careful giving hamster hay as the sharp points can damage the pouches, not worth the risk imo x

Agreed, I wouldn't risk it