The best rabbit owners, ensure that they keep their fluffy friends happy, comfortable, and most importantly, thoroughly fed. You could achieve this by providing them with the best hay feeder for rabbits, along with good outdoor housing. Rabbits are such beautiful, fluffy creatures that all you want to do is ensure that they get the best treatment you can provide.
Considering that you’ve checked all the boxes and ensured that your rabbit has safe indoor housing with one of the best rabbit hutches, a clean litter box and that you’ve bunny-proofed your house, etc. Then the last, albeit not the least, the last box you’ll need to check is providing the best hay, fresh greens, fiber-rich pellets, and freshwater daily.
That said and done, where you feed your rabbit is as important as how you feed them. Rabbits are delicate creatures that need constant care and lots of love. If you want them to grow healthy, it would be best to make the extra effort to ensure that they consume their daily quota of food plus supplements.
You’ll also have to ensure that their indoor housing quarters are clean. There are two ways you could achieve this. One of them, as mentioned earlier, is to ensure that they have a litter box and that the litter box is cleaned daily. Second, you’ll have to ensure that you provide them with a suitable hay feeder. The best hay feeder for rabbits prevents them from littering their living space when eating.
Doing this ensures that their hutch stays clean. However, if you are new to this whole thing or are just learning about hay feeders, you may be asking yourself, “How do I feed hay to rabbits, and what’s the best hay feeder?” Don’t worry because that’s why we are here.
This article is meant to provide you with knowledge on how to feed rabbits and the best hay feeder for rabbits you could use to ensure your fluffy friend enjoys all the comfort you could provide. Let’s dive right in and discuss the why’s, where’s, and how’s you could go about ensuring your rabbit has a decent meal from the best hay feeder.
If you are unsure what to feed your pet rabbit, checkout our Kaytee timothy hay review.
How To Feed Your Rabbits
Rabbits primarily consume hay or grass, leafy greens, and a small, measured amount of pellets. The common misconception is that rabbits should be fed carrots. Technically rabbits can feed on carrots; however, you’d have to ration the carrots since they have high sugar concentrations, but you could use them as occasional treats.
Since rabbits are grazers, it is in their DNA to consume food almost constantly. The chances are high that if you provide your rabbit with food whenever, even after you’ve already fed them that they’ll probably still eat.
However, on average, rabbits that weigh about 6 to 10 pounds (this is the average weight for most adult rabbits) require around a quarter-cup of pellets in a single day. Rabbits that are larger than 10 pounds consume more pellets, while those who weigh less than five pounds consume 1/8 of a cup.
Hay is a rabbit’s staple food, and it would be best if you had this in constant supply. However, you also need to ensure that your rabbit gets fruit, i.e., bananas, melon, papaya, etc., at least once a week, and some greens, i.e., Bok Choy, cucumber, escarole, etc.
Now that you understand how and what to feed your rabbit, I think that we can safely move to where you could feed it. This section may be the most confusing since many products are available on the market; however, why worry? We’re here to help you out.
The Best Hay Feeders For Your Rabbit
Geegoods Hanging Rabbit Hay Feeder
Geegoods hanging hay feeder is a compact automatic hay feeder that you can use to feed small pets like guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. The product, manufactured by Geegoods, weighs 3.17 ounces with dimensions of 10.51 by 7.09 by 0.87 inches making it compact enough to fit in your rabbit’s hutch.
The product has convenient stickers and hooks that you could use to hold it in position while your pets feed from it.
Pros
Bite Resistant
The product is bite resistant, ensuring that your pet isn’t harmed if it nibbles on the material. The hay feeder is made with oxford fabric and reinforced on the holes’ edges providing resistance to bites and increasing its durability.
Ease of Use
The product is quite simple to use. It can be hung on almost any cage using snap closures. To hang the feeder, you only need to pull the straps through the cell and snap them on, keeping the feeder strapped to the cage securely.
Cleaning Convenience
The hay feeder helps keep the house and your pet’s quarters clean. It holds a generous supply of hay in a clean and organized manner, reducing waste and making it easy for you to keep your home clean and tidy.
Carrying Convenience
The Geegoods hay feeder offers convenience whenever you’re traveling to a different location. It is soft and foldable for easier packaging and storage. You can also hang it on the shoulder with a shoulder strap for easier carrying.
Cons
Placement
Unlike other hay feeders, such as those made from metal and wood, the Geegoods cloth hay feeder can prove a bit troublesome for you if your pet loves lying in odd spots. There have been some instances where some pet owners found their hamsters in the hay feeder; however, this won’t be a problem with your pet rabbit.
Rabbit Feeder Plastic Food Bowl
The chinchilla plastic food bowl is one of the best hay feeders designed for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small animals. The product comprises high-quality plastic with dimensions: 5.9 by 7.1 by 5.9 inches (LxHxW) and weighs 4.8 ounces.
Pros
Two in one Food Bowl
The hay feeder is made of two layers. The upper layer is a hay rack, while the bottom layer is a food bowl. With this hay feeder, you get a two-in-one feeder for your rabbit. You could place some hay on the top layer and add some pellets for your pet rabbit on the bottom layer.
Safe Materials
The hay feeder is made of safe plastic material that is durable and long-lasting. The high-quality plastic does not break easily, ensuring that your pet doesn’t accidentally consume any plastic material that may be harmful to their health. The bottom section, where your rabbit eats from, is covered by stainless steel, which also helps prevent your rabbit from biting into the plastic.
Easy Cleaning
The hay feeder’s design allows you to remove the top mesh for easier cleaning. Rabbits are very delicate creatures, and doing this ensures that you keep their hay feeders clean and disinfected, preventing any diseases.
Easy Installation
The hay feeder has an easily adaptable cross screw design to easily connect to the wire cage and adjust for the perfect height. No tools are required during this entire process; however, the cage’s wires’ distance should be 3.9mm to work effectively.
Cons
You may find attaching this hay feeder to the cage a bit challenging, especially if you have a bunny that loves getting to the hay before you even put it in.
andwe Hay Feeder With Removable Top Cover
The andwe stand hay feeder is a must-have accessory in your rabbit cage. The hay feeder’s design allows for easy loading and easy access to the hay by your pet rabbit. The hay feeder can be placed anywhere in your rabbit’s cage and can even double up as a nice decoration.
Pros
Easy to Fill
The hay feeder has a removable top that allows you to fill hay conveniently. The feeder’s design incorporated a broad base that supports it, which means that you can place the feeder wherever you want in the cage.
Bottom Table
The feeder has a bottom table, which means that you could use the hay feeder to serve two purposes simultaneously. You could use the cylindrical section to store hay for your rabbit, and you could also use the broad base as a manger for your pet rabbit’s pellets.
Big Storage Space
The andwe stand hay feeder is designed to provide the maximum amount of space you may require for your rabbit’s hay. The space provided by this hay feeder could feed your rabbit for an entire day.
Earth-Friendly Materials
The hay feeder is made with Birchwood with a natural texture. It also has a modern and good-looking design.
Cons
This hay feeder has one major flaw: it can topple over quickly if it’s not secured correctly. If you love this product, you’ll need to find a way to secure the feeder to the cage’s floor.
Super Pet Natural Wooden Hay Manger
This sizable natural hay dispenser is a great way to feed your rabbit because it dispenses a steady supply of hay that can last your rabbit for a whole day without making any mess. The device has been constructed with your pet’s safety in mind and has metal straps you could use to hang from your pet’s cage.
Pros
Size
The natural hay dispenser’s dimensions are 6.5 by 2.5 by 5.75 inches. The product is big enough to ensure that you don’t have to refill your rabbit’s feed every other hour. You only need to fill it once, and you are good for the entire day.
Safe Materials
This natural hay dispenser is made of wood, a safe material that provides a constant hay supply and keeps your furry friend safe simultaneously. The device has been constructed with staples or nails safely, ensuring that there aren’t any protruding pieces of metal that can harm your pet.
Easy to Fill
The hay feeder is easy to fill. All you’ve got to do is push the hay through the top section and place the hay feeder inside your rabbit’s hutch.
Cons
You may have a hard time installing this hay feeder since the metal clasps do not fit on all cages. You may have to be a little creative if the hay feeder does not fit naturally in your rabbit’s hutch.
Hay Feeder – 2 in 1
This two-in-one hay feeder is great since it allows you to feed your rabbit with hay on the top section and other feeds like greens, fruits, and pellets on the bottom chamber. It also has a back lock that adapts to most rabbit hutches. Dimensions: 5.9 by 7.1 by 5.9 inches (L x H x W).
Pros
Easy Installation
The button design on the hay feeder’s back allows you to fix it on almost any rabbit hutch. It also allows you to adjust the feeder’s height, ensuring that wherever you decide to place it, your rabbit will be able to eat comfortably.
Stainless Steel Edging
The hay feeder is fitted with a stainless steel edging on its bottom section to prevent your rabbit from chewing on the bowl while it is eating. This ensures your rabbit’s safety, the bowl’s integrity, and durability.
Non-toxic Plastic
The hay feeder is made from non-toxic, BPA-free plastic that’s 100% premium quality. This ensures that the feeder is strong, durable, and safe for your pet.
Cons
If your rabbit is small, it may have a hard time getting to the hay.
andwe Hay Feeder Cylindrical Stand Feeding Manager with Cover
If you want a practical, good-looking hay feeder for your rabbit, then this is it. The andwe cylindrical hay feeder is easy to load and makes it easier for your rabbit to feed. The hay feeder’s dimensions are 10.5 by 9.65 by 7.99 inches and weigh 1.63 pounds.
Pros
Cylindrical Shape
The hay feeder has a cylindrical shape and reasonable distance between each pillar, making it easier for your rabbit to reach and consume the hay from all angles.
Large Capacity
The hay feeder’s capacity holds enough hay for your rabbit to feed on for a more extended period than most other hay feeders currently on the market.
Easy to Fill
The hay feeder also comes with a removable top, which helps make filling it with hay easier. It makes the entire process convenient and also saves time.
Chic Design
You may have noticed the hay feeder’s modernistic design. You could place it in various appropriate spaces, and most of all, you don’t have to secure it in place. Your pet rabbits could roll it around to get access to the hay or for fun!
CalPalmy Hay Feeder for Rabbits
Suppose you’re tired of the mess that comes after your rabbit is done eating. The hay and alfalfa strewn about that get mixed with pee and poop; you should try this hay dispenser. The Hanging Alfalfa and Timothy Hay Dispenser is premium quality and designed to keep your pet safe.
Pros
Quality
This hay dispenser is made of premium quality plastic that’s BPA-free and non-toxic. The hay feeder is also designed with a spring mechanism that helps hold the hay in the hay feeder. While the spring holds the hay in, it’s not strong enough to trap your pet.
Screw Style Mount
The hay feeder comes with a screw-style mount that doesn’t require any tools to fix. You can place the screw mount on most hutches and adjust its height to fit your rabbit.
Perfect Size
The hay-feeder has the perfect dimensions: 5.5 by 3 by 7 inches. This size makes the feeder accessible for small and big rabbits alike.
Customer Service
Buying this product comes with US-based customer service. You could directly contact the manufacturer for customer service if you have any product-related queries.
Kaytee Food Dispensers
Our final item on the list is the Kaytee food dispenser. This hay dispenser is made of plastic and wood composite material and keeps a generous supply of food in a clean and organized manner. Dimensions: 5.75 by 5.75 by 7 inches.
Pros
Less Messy and Easy Access
Kaytee food dispenser is less messy and provides your rabbit with easy access to hay because of its wider bars on the top compartment.
Double Compartment
This hay dispenser comes in two compartments that you could use to provide your rabbit with hay and other essential foods such as vegetables and fruits. You could place hay on the top section and vegetables, fruit, or pellets on the bottom chamber.
Clips for Stability
The hay feeder comes attached with two metal clips that you could use to secure it to your pet rabbit’s hutch. These metal clips will help keep the feeder secure while your rabbit eats.
Cons
While the rabbit eats, some hay may fall into the lower compartment and cover the pellets. Instead of removing the hay, you could try filling the feeder with pellets, fruits, or vegetables in the lower compartment at a specific time during the day.
How To Find The Best Hay Feeder?
We picked some of the best hay feeders for rabbits to review and analyze so you can make an educated decision on which one you want to purchase. If you have read through everything we said about each hay feeder and you are still unsure, then think about which one is best for you and your situation. The best hay feeder may change depending on the type of rabbit hutch you have and also how big your pet rabbit is.
How do I find the best hay feeder for my rabbit?
The answer may be simpler than you expect. You’ll need to purchase hay feeders that are safe for your rabbit to use. They should also be stable enough that your rabbit doesn’t topple them over and big enough to ensure that your rabbit has enough to eat and you are not constantly refilling the hay after a short period.
What is Better: Metal, Plastic, or Wood?
Metal Hay Feeders
Metal hay feeders may be the best since they are more durable than those made from plastic or wood—however, metals rust. The process is accelerated if they come in contact with your rabbit’s pee.
Plastic Hay Feeders
Plastic hay feeders are great, especially if you get ones made from durable, non-toxic plastic. Such hay feeders are durable and can last for a long time.
Wood Hay Feeders
Wooden hay feeders look great; however, sometimes they aren’t the best. Wooden hay feeders can be delicate, mainly if they haven’t been constructed well. It would be best if you took your time and looked at feedback from customers who purchased the particular hay feeder you’re looking to buy.
Are two in one hay feeders better than ones with a single compartment?
Well, this depends on how patient you are and the hay feeder’s design. For instance, while some double compartment hay feeders seem to work well with other rabbit owners, others still complain that they aren’t working at all.
If you want to make a more informed decision, you’ll need to consider your pet’s size and the size of the feeder you want to purchase. It would be best if you bought a hay feeder that’s not too big for your rabbit. This will help the rabbit gain easy access to the hay in the top compartment and the lower compartment’s pellets.
What if the hay feeder is too small to hold enough feed?
You could compromise on height but still look for hay feeders that have a more extensive length. This will provide more space for you to place more feed that can keep your rabbit sustained for a more extended period.
If you own smaller pets like guinea pigs and hamsters, we would advise you to try smaller hay feeders that provide easier access to their food.
Conclusion
If you or your friend owns a rabbit, then I’m sure that you or they have already experienced the stress involved with having to clean after them and ensure that their food isn’t strewn about.
Hay feeders are also featured on our list of the best gifts for rabbit lovers for any occasion!
If you are looking to get yourself a rabbit as your pet, then you are in the right place. Get the best hay feeder for rabbits, and you’ll ensure that your rabbit stays fed and that its hutch is clean. You’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Which of these is the best hay feeder for rabbits?
I have always loved rabbits. A rabbit was my very first pet. Since owning my first rabbit I have gone on to own many more. I look forward to being able to get my kids their very own pet rabbits.
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