As we all know, hay is the cornerstone of every bunny’s diet, and it is essential that they are eating enough of this fibrous, dried grass. Without the right amount of hay, rabbits’ guts stop working effectively and their teeth can become overgrown, leaving them with issues such as GI stasis and dental disease. Therefore, ensuring they have unlimited access to good quality hay is a non negotiable of rabbit ownership. 

However, bunnies have a habit of not always playing ball. And we can’t honestly blame them in thinking a bunch of treats look far more appealing than their day to day hay. Whilst sometimes we are blessed with a bun that will constantly snack on the healthy stuff, with beautiful golden, healthy poops, often this is just not the case. Is your bun incredibly fussy when it comes to eating hay? Don’t worry we have got you covered. We are going to discuss some very simple ways to encourage your bunny to eat some more hay and, most importantly, enjoy it.

So, this may seem like an obvious statement, but the hay you are buying for your bunny matters. They are more likely to tuck in to a fresh pile of premium timothy hay than they are some dusty, brown, sad looking hay you got from a local pet store. Bedding hay and feeding hay are not created equal, and your bunny will know the difference. Not only will their health be so much better when eating good quality hay, as it is packed full of fibre and nutrients, but they will also *want* to eat it. 

However, we do understand that premium feeding hay can be extortionately expensive. Why should that box of 1st cut timothy hay be costing you an absolute bomb? Frankly, it shouldn’t. That is why we created our range of premium, dust extracted timothy hay for the best quality hay at a good, honest price. If you sign up to receive a subscription of 2 x our 4kg boxes you will be spending only £23.99, working out at about £3 per kg. Which makes that 1kg bag you usually get for £8.99 seem extortionate, because it is. We don’t believe that the most important part of your bunny’s diet should cost you a fortune, because all bunnies deserve to be the happiest and healthiest they can possibly be.

Has your bunny suddenly gone off their hay? As much as rabbits love consistent routine, they also get bored. A catch-22, we know. So, if you are just topping up their litter box with their hay everyday, we are sorry to say this but… it is not enough. Yes, unlimited hay is essential, and their litter box is the perfect place to provide it (eating whilst pooping for the win), but buns need things to be mixed up every now and then. Keeping them interested is half the battle.

So, how do we stop the boredom? Enrichment activities, chew toys, and feeders. This does not have the break the bank, or take hours of your time, but by simply mixing up how you feed your bunny their hay can spark some interest. Leftover toilet roll tubes? Stuff them with hay. Invest in a hay rack or a play tunnel and stuff them with hay too. Create a forage box with some hay and some of their forage favourites. If you really want to spend some time and effort to bond with your rabbits then there are all sorts of fun, DIY enrichment activities you can create for them, and you, to enjoy. The possibilities are endless, which is the fun part. Follow along on our social media to see some of our favourite enrichment activities.

But wait, you buy them the best quality hay and you have all of the chew toys and enrichment activities they could possibly want, but they still don’t want their hay. We feel you. You may do all the right things and your bunny *still* won’t play ball. This pampered prince/princess just won’t budge, but even most of the stubborn buns can be persuaded. This is where our favourite thing comes into play: forage. 

Dried forage is fantastic at making your bunny’s hay more appealing, stimulating appetite, and providing a wealth of nutrients and fibre. By simply mixing some of your bun’s favourite forage in with their hay can encourage their natural foraging behaviour and get them to chow down on some hay. We are all about making hay exciting and we wholeheartedly believe that forage is the way forward. Some of our favourite choices for fussy eaters include:

• Flower Mix or Premium Flower Mix - let’s be honest, flowers smell amazing for both you and your bunnies, which naturally helps to stimulate appetite. These tasty flowers also provide dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals, keeping your bunny happy and healthy.
• Premium Dandelion Leaves or Plantain Leaves - pretty much staple forage choices that most buns go wild for. Packed with dietary fibre as well, meaning that if your bunny is refusing hay, it can help encourage them to get enough fibre for their guts.
• Premium Vegetable Medley - for the buns that like the sweeter things in life. Whilst we would highly encourage to not overfeed on fruit and vegetables, due to their high sugar content, a small sprinkling of this medley into your bun’s hay can make all the difference. We know how made bunnies go for sweet snacks, and mixing some veggies into your bunny’s hay can help keep it exciting, encouraging them to partake in some of the healthy stuff, as well as the sweet stuff.

Looking for the simplest way to keep your fussy bunny interested in their hay? Our favourite recommendation will always be our Premium 1st Cut Timothy Hay Box with Flowers. Our usual 1st cut, dust extracted timothy hay with a layer of our delicious flower mix on top. Easy enrichment ready to go the second you open the box. These flowers help stimulate appetite, whilst also providing additional dietary fibre and nutrients, encouraging your fussy bunny to love their hay again. Use in your bunny’s litter box or stuff in some cardboard tubes, this hay is exciting and appealing, without any added effort, meaning it is great even when you are strapped for time. Your bunnies will thank you for it.