Hay vs Pellets: Do Rabbits & Guinea Pigs Need Both?

If you’ve ever stood in the pet shop aisle looking at bags of pellets/bikkies and bales of hay, you might have wondered:

“If hay is so important, do they really need pellets too?”

The answer isn’t quite as simple as yes or no.

Hay and pellets each have a role to play, but they aren’t equally important.

Hay Comes First

Hay should always be the foundation of your rabbit or guinea pig’s diet.

It provides the long-strand fibre needed to keep the digestive system moving properly, supports healthy teeth through hours of natural chewing, and encourages instinctive foraging behaviours.

No pellet can replace what hay does.

Think of pellets as a supplement to an already healthy diet, not the main event.

What Are Pellets For?

Good-quality pellets provide a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals that can help support a balanced diet.

For guinea pigs, pellets are often fortified with vitamin C, an essential nutrient they cannot produce themselves.

However, pellets should be offered in appropriate amounts - as too many can reduce hay consumption.

If a bowl is always full of pellets, some buns and piggies may choose the easier option instead of spending time chewing hay.

Why Too Many Pellets Can Be a Problem

While pellets are convenient, eating large amounts can lead to less chewing and less fibre intake.

Over time, this may contribute to digestive problems, weight gain, or reduced natural tooth wear.

A rabbit or guinea pig happily munching through a pile of hay is generally doing exactly what nature intended.

Hay, Greens, and Pellets

A balanced diet usually includes:

• Unlimited fresh hay

• Fresh water available at all time

• Appropriate portions of fresh greens

• A measured amount of good-quality pellets

Together these provide variety while keeping hay as the star of the menu.

Choosing Good Pellets

Not all pellets are created equal.

Looks for pellets that are:

• High in fibre

• Plain and uniform in appearance

• Free from colourful pieces, seeds, nuts, and/or sugary extras.

Those colourful mixes may look exciting to us, but they often encourage selective feeding and aren’t the healthiest option.

The Foundation Never Changes

Pellets can be a useful part of a healthy diet, but they should never replace fresh hay.

When in doubt, remember the simplest rule:

Hay first. Everything else follows.

A bun or piggy with a nose buried in a fragrant pile of hay is usually making an excellent nutritional choice all on their own.