Why Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Are Fibrevores, Not Just Herbivores

If you’ve ever heard rabbits and guinea pigs described as herbivores, that’s not exactly wrong, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

A better way to think of them is as fibrevores. While they do eat plants, their bodies are specifically designed to thrive on one thing above all else: fibre.

In the wild, rabbits and guinea pigs spend much of their day grazing on grasses and other fibrous plants. Their digestive systems rely on a constant supply of long-strand fibre to keep food moving through the gut, maintain healthy gut bacteria, and support overall wellbeing.

This is why hay should make up around 80 to 90% of their daily diet. Fresh vegetables, pellets, and treats all have their place, but they’re the supporting cast. Hay is the main event.

Thinking of your pets as fibrevores instead of simply herbivores can completely change the way you look at feeding them. Instead of asking, “What vegetables should I give today?”, the first question becomes, “Do they have plenty of fresh hay?”

Everything else builds from there.

At Hooked on Hay, we believe hay should always come first. Our forage (chaff) blends and treats are designed to complement a hay-based diet, encouraging natural foraging behaviours while keeping fibre at the heart of every meal.

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