Oxbow Oat Hay 425g

Oxbow Oat Hay 425g

Oxbow Oat Hay is companion forage that is similar in nutritional analysis to the western timothy. Your animals will love the immature oat grain that is contained in the seed head and will benefit greatly from the fiber in the leaf and stem. Oat Hay is a good source of fiber and also gives variety to your animal’s diet. This product also makes a good bedding alternative to wheat straw.

The stage of maturity at harvest determines the development of the seed head. If the hay is harvested immaturely, at the early bloom stage, the actual oat kernel is not mature. The seed heads consist primarily of oat husks, which are rich in fiber. It is at this early stage that Oxbow harvests its Oat Hay . The result is light green/tan hay with flaky oat husks at the top. Although there is no mature oat kernel present, the hay smells like oats and guinea pigs and rabbits love it.

Hay is absolutely vital to the health of small herbivores. It provides not only nutrition, but environmental enrichment that mimics the animal’s natural habitat. It also provides a long-strand fiber source that is needed to improve the digestive and intestinal functions by stimulating the digestive system. When animals are fed free-choice hay, it promotes their natural chewing behavior, which helps prevent molar spurs and other dental problems that are so common in these small herbivores.

Feeding Directions

Growing Animals: Unlimited amounts
Mature Animals: Unlimited amounts

Oat Hay can be fed free choice to rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, prairie dogs and other herbivores as an alternative to timothy, orchard grass, and organic meadow hay. Free-choice means that the feed is available at all times. If they finish what you give them, you need to give them more!

Not only should hay be used for nutritional purposes, but also for mental stimulation and the promotion of natural foraging behavior. Oat Hay is unique that it offers a high degree of foraging entertainment.

• Fill an infant wading pool with oat hay and let the guinea pigs loose.
• Rabbits like to eat hay in their litter box.
• Fill a cardboard tube, basket or animal-safe toy with hay and place it in your pet’s favorite spot.
• Put a layer of hay on the bottom of the cage and hide food/treats in the hay for foraging.
• Put hay everywhere: the hutch, the corner, behind the couch, etc.