What the Hay: The Difference Between Alfalfa and Timothy Hay

Why your small pet should eat alfalfa.

While alfalfa and timothy hay are both high in fiber, alfalfa is the best option for young, ill or nursing rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other herbivores. It can also help senior pets who struggle with keeping on their weight. Besides whom it’s ideal for, what makes alfalfa different than timothy hay is:

• It’s a hay made from legumes, so it has higher amounts of protein and calcium than grass hays like timothy hay
• The rich flavor and sweet smell
• The softer and leafier texture

Since alfalfa is so nutrient-dense, it’s great for animals that have increased nutritional and energy requirements. Yet the reasons why alfalfa is so good for the young, growing, nursing and healing are the same reasons why an alfalfa-based diet is unhealthy for other adult herbivores:

• Continuously eating too much calcium can contribute to bladder sludge (i.e., urine thickened with calcium salts that never fully form into stones)
• Over time, excessive amounts of proteins could cause the animal to get overweight or obese
• The combination of eating high amounts of calcium and protein for long periods of time can put extra strain on an animal’s kidneys
• A regular diet of alfalfa can lead to your small pet becoming a super picky eater

It’s okay to feed your healthy, non-nursing adult herbivore pet some alfalfa as a treat. Moderation is the key and you’re not a meanie. And even if your rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla does require an alfalfa-heavy diet, they should still eat some grass hay (like timothy hay) to meet the nutritional needs of your small animal.

Why your small pet should eat timothy hay.

Unless your rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla is young, pregnant, nursing, ill or recovering from surgery, timothy hay should be their everyday food. Yes, alfalfa and timothy hay are both high in fiber, but unlike each other, timothy hay is:

• A hay made from grass, so it’s lower in calcium and protein than alfalfa
• More balanced in taste and texture than alfalfa

Since healthy adult herbivores tend to have lower energy requirements, they don’t need as much calcium and protein as what’s found in alfalfa. But remember, you can still give them some alfalfa as a snack because you’re the cool pet parent.

Closing Thoughts

Your rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla’s diet should be about 70% hay, with the rest being a combination of hay-based feed (i.e., pellets), well-washed leafy greens and colored vegetables. You should also know that when alfalfa is used as an ingredient in a feed we offer at Pet Supplies Plus, its higher nutrient levels are accounted for and mixed in with other appropriate ingredients for a complete and balanced meal.

In conclusion, alfalfa is a legume hay that should be fed to young, ill, nursing or (sometimes) senior rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other herbivores. Timothy hay is a grass hay that should be the staple food for a healthy adult herbivore. It’s important to remember these suggestions because what your small pets eat is no joke.