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Best Timothy hay for rabbits: three formats compared

Compare three adult-rabbit Timothy hays by pack size, cut, feeding format, and the dry storage space each order needs.

By How sources are checkedUpdated Jul 26, 20264 min read
An adult rabbit beside a generous pile of Timothy hay, an open storage box, and a blue water bowl

The best hay is the clean, dry grass hay your adult rabbit will reliably eat and your household can store well. This shortlist compares three Timothy options with genuinely different routines: a 10 pound loose-hay box, a compact 40 ounce bag, and a 60 ounce wafer cut that peels apart in layers.

The RSPCA rabbit diet guide and House Rabbit Society diet guide both put good-quality hay or grass at the center of everyday rabbit feeding. Keep it available, replace damp or soiled hay, and make food changes gradually. A younger rabbit or a rabbit with a veterinarian-directed diet needs an individual feeding plan.

Top picks at a glance

Three hay routines, plainly compared

Swipe or use arrow keys to compare every column.

Hay Pack Format Storage plan
Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting 10 pounds Loose second-cut Timothy Large cardboard box in a dry room
Oxbow Western Timothy 40 ounces Loose Western Timothy Compact bag with a secure closure or storage bin
Kaytee Wafer Cut 60 ounces Layered sun-cured Timothy 5.5 x 12 x 4-inch bag

Hay is an agricultural product. Color, stem thickness, leaf content, and seed heads can vary between harvests even when the brand and package stay the same. Check the actual order for a clean, dry feel and a fresh grass smell before it enters the feeding routine.

The picks

Small Pet Select second-cutting Timothy hay in its branded cardboard box

SMALL PET SELECT

2nd Cutting Timothy Hay

Best Overall$25-$50
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Pack size
10 pounds
Hay format
Loose 2nd cutting Timothy hay
Container
Cardboard box
Source statement
Manufacturer states 100% US-grown and hand packed in small batches

A 10 pound box of loose second-cutting Timothy hay. Small Pet Select describes it as 100% US-grown, hand selected, and hand packed in small batches.

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Strengths

  • Largest loose-hay pack in this comparison
  • The second-cut format is stated on the product
  • Box can remain the working storage container in a dry room

Weaknesses

  • Needs considerably more storage room than either bag
  • A cardboard box needs protection from humidity and household spills

Best for

Rabbit households with enough dry storage for a larger recurring hay order

Small Pet Select is the best fit for households ready for a larger recurring order. The 10 pound box contains loose second-cutting Timothy hay, and the company states that it is 100% US-grown and hand packed in small batches. The box can serve as the working container when it has a dry, protected place to live.

The tradeoff is space. A 10 pound hay box needs a real landing zone and protection from humidity. Measure the shelf, closet, or lidded storage area before ordering instead of letting a large box become an obstacle in the rabbit room.

Front of the Oxbow Western Timothy Hay 40 ounce bag

OXBOW

Western Timothy Hay

Compact BagUnder $25
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Pack size
40 ounces
Hay format
Loose Western Timothy hay
Container
Plastic bag
Product code
744845402758

A compact 40 ounce bag of loose Western Timothy hay. Oxbow describes the hay as all-natural and publishes the product code for this pack size.

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Strengths

  • Smallest storage footprint in this comparison
  • Loose hay is easy to place in several feeding stations
  • Exact 40 ounce variant is published on the manufacturer page

Weaknesses

  • Smallest refill in this comparison
  • The opened bag needs a reliable dry-storage closure or container

Best for

Owners trying a compact loose-hay bag before committing shelf space to a bulk box

Oxbow is the compact starting point. The 40 ounce bag occupies much less room than the bulk box and still provides loose hay that can be distributed among a litter-side feeder, a second station, or an enrichment setup. Oxbow publishes this exact 40 ounce variant on its Western Timothy product page.

The smaller pack will need replacing more often. Once the bag is open, close it securely or move the hay into a clean, dry container that does not trap moisture.

Front of the Kaytee Wafer Cut Timothy Hay 60 ounce bag

KAYTEE

Wafer Cut Timothy Hay

Easy PortionsUnder $25
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Pack size
60 ounces
Hay format
Wafer-cut sun-cured Timothy hay
Container
5.5 x 12 x 4-inch bag
Product code
071859947518

A 60 ounce bag of sun-cured Timothy hay packed in layers. Kaytee publishes the pack dimensions and describes the wafer cut as a way to peel off hay with less loose handling.

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Strengths

  • Layered format peels apart for easier handling
  • Published package dimensions help with shelf planning
  • Larger pack than the 40 ounce Oxbow bag

Weaknesses

  • Smaller pack than the 10 pound Small Pet Select box
  • Compressed layers are less flexible than fully loose hay for stuffing several enrichment stations

Best for

Owners who prefer a portionable layer over pulling loose hay from a box or bag

Kaytee is the tidiest handling format in this group. Its 60 ounce Timothy hay is packed in layers that peel apart, and the manufacturer page publishes package dimensions of 5.5 x 12 x 4 inches. Those details make both shelf planning and refill handling more predictable.

The wafer is a structured pack rather than a fully loose box. Owners who routinely stuff several cardboard tubes, baskets, or widely separated stations may prefer the flexibility of loose hay.

Before you buy

  1. Decide whether the hay is for a healthy adult rabbit or part of a veterinarian-directed feeding plan.
  2. Measure the clean, dry storage space before choosing the 10 pound box.
  3. Pick loose hay for maximum placement flexibility or a wafer cut for simpler handling.
  4. Check the delivered hay itself for dryness, freshness, and contamination.
  5. Keep the previous hay available while introducing a new product gradually.

The package is only part of the decision. The daily win is easy, continuous access in places the rabbit already uses. A good storage setup makes that routine easier to maintain.

Read what rabbits eat for the complete feeding routine. Then browse current rabbit Timothy hay listings when you want additional pack sizes and formats beyond these three researched options.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.

Read our methodology for how we source and review every claim on this site.

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