3 best small animal food
Small animal food refers to specially formulated food products designed to meet the dietary needs of small pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, mice, and rats. These small animals have unique nutritional requirements, and their diets typically consist of a combination of dry pellets, hay, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Here are some key points about small animal food:
Pellets: Many small animals are provided with commercial pellet-based diets that are formulated to provide a balanced mix of nutrients. These pellets often contain essential vitamins, minerals, and protein to support the pet's overall health.
Hay: High-quality hay is an essential part of the diet for many small animals, particularly rabbits and guinea pigs. Hay provides fiber necessary for proper digestion and helps keep their teeth from overgrowing.
Fresh Vegetables and Fruits: Small animals can benefit from a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits added to their diet. These items can provide additional nutrients and variety to their meals. However, not all fruits and vegetables are suitable for all small animals, so it's essential to research which ones are safe for your specific pet.
Species-Specific Needs: Different small animal species have unique dietary requirements. For instance, rabbits and guinea pigs require higher fiber diets than hamsters or gerbils.It's important to tailor their food to their specific needs.
Commercial Small Animal Food Brands: Several pet food manufacturers offer specialized food products for small animals. These brands often have different product lines catering to specific species, age groups, and dietary needs.
Nutritional Considerations: When choosing small animal food, look for products that are nutritionally complete and balanced for your pet's specific species and life stage (e.g., young, adult, or senior). Reading the product labels and ingredients list can help you make informed choices.
Fresh Water: Along with food, providing fresh, clean water is crucial for small animals. Ensure they have a constant supply of water to stay hydrated.
Dietary Restrictions: Some small animals may have dietary restrictions due to health conditions or allergies. Consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has specific dietary needs or restrictions.
Treats: Treats can be given to small animals in moderation but should not replace their primary diet. Look for treats specifically designed for your pet's species, and be mindful of portion sizes.
Consult a Veterinarian: It's advisable to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in small animal care for guidance on your pet's dietary needs and any health concerns related to their diet.
Providing a balanced and appropriate diet is essential for the health and well-being of your small pet. Always consider your pet's specific needs and consult with experts or veterinarians when in doubt about their dietary requirements.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best small animal food on the marketProduct description
Kaytee feeds more hay to small pets than anyone else. We pride ourselves on providing fresh, tasty, all-natural hay. Kaytee timothy hay is hand selected to ensure long fiber strands and a proper leaf to stem ratio to support your small pet’s digestive health. At Kaytee, we understand that taste matters. Our hay tastes better because it is naturally grown and harvested with care. Our hay is grown in fertile farmland graced with abundant sunlight and nourished by cool, rocky mountain water. Naturally grown without pesticides or GMO, our farmers only grow supreme grade hay. This means, high quality and superior nutrition for your small pet. At Kaytee, we are committed to harvesting the best nature has to offer. Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back.
- Naturally grown without pesticides
- Grown specifically for small animals
- High fiber to support digestive health
- America’s #1 Hay Brand
- All-natural non GMO Ingredient
- No artificial preservatives
User questions & answers
Question: | How long would this last for three wild rabbits in the Winter |
Answer: | This type of bowl/dish is more suitable for a hamster as the size does not allow a Guinea pig to eat comfortably from the container. If you can find a larger size then it would be appropriate as the ceramic bowls tend to be the best. I currently have four Guinea pigs and they all use a larger ceramic bowl. |
Question: | Looking for timothy hay product for wild rabbits and if this is a good product or just for pet rabbits |
Answer: | This is a great bowl for cats/dogs. I don't know anything about parrots though. It is a sturdy dish and it can hold a parrots' weight. They could sit inside a 12" dish and eat. They might be able to perch on the edge if they can grab a ~1cm edge (feet can't curl under though). My suggestion is rig a stick across the bowl and strap it underneath for them to perch on. |
Question: | Is Kaytee Timothy Hay second cut |
Answer: | This bowl is 3" width and 1 1/2 inches deep. Thank you! |
Question: | how long would a 96 ounce bag last for a guinea pig |
Answer: | We do not recommend using this bowl in the microwave. Thank you for your interest. |
Product features
Kaytee Timothy Hay
Kaytee Timothy Hay is hand selected to ensure the long fiber strands and proper leaf to stem ratio to support digestive health. Kaytee Timothy Hay is grown in the ideal ecological location for moisture and climate control and is then stored in a protected environment to ensure the quality and superior nutritional value are maintained. Timothy Hay is ideal for animals over 7 months of age because it is higher in fiber to support digestive health and lower in protein and calcium than alfalfa hay to support urinary health.
Product description
Kaytee feeds more hay to small pets than anyone else. We pride ourselves on providing fresh, tasty, all-natural hay. Grown specifically for small animals, timothy hay is hand selected to ensure long fiber strands and a proper leaf to stem ratio to support your small pet’s digestive health. At Kaytee, we understand that taste matters. Our hay tastes better because it is naturally grown and harvested with care. It is grown in fertile farmland graced with abundant sunlight and nourished by cool, rocky mountain water. Naturally grown without pesticides or artificial ingredients, our farmers only grow supreme grade hay. This means, high quality and superior nutrition for your small pet. At Kaytee, we are committed to harvesting the best nature has to offer. Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back.
- Naturally grown without pesticides
- Grown specifically for small animals
- High fiber to support digestive health
- America’s #1 Hay Brand
- All-natural non GMO Ingredient
- No artificial preservatives
User questions & answers
Question: | Could this be used as a raised bed top mulching |
Answer: | it will depend on how much you feed your bunny. However, I still have a little over a 1/4 bag left and i received my bag on June 1st. My bunny wastes her food as well. The 10lb bag is a price for the money. Hope this helps. |
Question: | How long does this 24ounce bag of hay normally last 1 rabbit |
Answer: | Thanks for asking! The crude protein is a minimum 15.5%. For more help contact Wild Harvest at [email protected]. |
Question: | What are the little green flower parts in the hay |
Answer: | This food is made in a facility that also processes peanuts and tree nuts. The full ingredients are: Soybean Hulls, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Barley, Cracked Corn, Oat Groats, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Dried Peas, Timothy Hay, Soybean Meal, Sunflower Seeds, Ground Corn, Pork Fat, Wheat Middlings, Dried Carrots, Dicalcium Phosphate, Soybean Oil, Salt, Sodium Sulfate, Methionine, Valine, Tryptophane, Cane Molasses, Niacin, Threonine, Choline Chloride, Lysine, Wheat Germ Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Fish Oil, Silicon Dioxide, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Lignin Sulfonate, Urea Formaldehyde Condensation Polymer, Magnesium Oxide, Iron Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Acetic Acid, Benzoic Acid (Preservative), Propionic Acid (Preservative), Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Propylene Glycol, FD&C Yellow #5, Rice Hulls, Calcium L-Ascorbyl 2-Monophosphate, Beta-carotene, Calcium Propionate (Preservative), FD&C Red #40, Vegetable Oil, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Niacinamide, Mineral Oil, FD&C Yellow #6, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Copper Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, FD&C Blue #1, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Zinc Sulfate, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate. For more help contact Wild Harvest at [email protected]. |
Question: | is this food or does it go in the litter box while potty training |
Answer: | Although this food has timothy hay in it, it is always a good idea to mix plain Timothy hay in a rabbits diet. Mine rabbit is 9 years old and and he gets this food, timothy hay, treats, and 3 fresh mini carrots daily to promote a healthy digestive system. |
Product features
Kaytee Timothy Hay
Kaytee Timothy Hay is hand selected to ensure long fiber strands and proper leaf to stem ratio to support digestive health. Kaytee Timothy Hay is grown in the ideal ecological location for moisture and climate control and is then stored in a protected environment so quality and superior nutritional value are maintained. Timothy Hay is higher in fiber to support digestive health and lower in protein and calcium than alfalfa hay to support urinary health.
- Shapes and textures support dental health through natural chewing activity
- Kaytee is a Veterinarian Recommended Brand
- Prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health
- Assorted fruits, veggies, shapes and textures to provide enrichment and mental stimulation
- Rich in Natural antioxidents & immune support
- Naturally preserved for ideal freshness
User questions & answers
Question: | Can I get this on a 25 pound bag |
Answer: | The container is flimsy it lasted a little while but everything didn’t fit right back in as easy. Kids often tried to shove things in there which made it break. |
Question: | My guinea pigs are eating all the seeds/nuts out of this mixture, leaving the pellet bits behind. Is that healthy/normal? Anything I can do |
Answer: | Some will. If u get the real larger ones, they all will fit |
Question: | Why does this food now cost so much? Almost 10$ for a 5lb bag is ridiculous |
Answer: | Thanks for your question! The STAYbowl is made of hard, food-grade polypropylene plastic. It is not “chew-proof,” but it is very hard plastic. Most small pets are more interested in what’s in the bowl rather than chewing on the bowl. |
Question: | Can I get this put in a 25 pound bag from Amazon |
Answer: | Thanks for your question! Actually, the STAYbowl is made of a hard, smooth, food-grade plastic, so it will slide on most surfaces. The STAYbowl is ergonomically designed for guinea pigs, and so has a low-profile and a platform base, which help to prevent tipping. I would suggest putting your piggy's food on the lower level of her cage. If there is not enough room for that, you might want to consider upgrading your piggy's cage size, as it is likely too small. A larger cage may also help this bowl dumping issue. Sometimes piggies get frustrated when they don't have enough room to run around. A C&C cage made up of 3 x 2 grids or would be a great size. |
Latest Reviews
View all
Winter Blankets
- Updated: 11.01.2023
- Read reviews

Chi Titanium Flat Irons
- Updated: 11.07.2023
- Read reviews

Saltwater Fishing Setup
- Updated: 17.01.2023
- Read reviews

Penn Trolling Reels
- Updated: 06.06.2023
- Read reviews

Spinning Shimanos
- Updated: 26.05.2023
- Read reviews