Guinea pigs and rabbits are perhaps the most underrated types of pets found in Australian households. Gentle, social, well-behaved and surprisingly long-living, both rabbits and guinea pigs are fantastic animal companions for people who are looking for something other than a dog or cat, or, for those who are living in housing arrangements that don’t permit more conventional pet choices.

Both rabbits and guinea pigs are prey animals that, in their natural environment, are characterised by their skittish and shy nature. They are never aggressive, they avoid confrontations at all costs, and they have a predictable temperament that makes them ideal for families with small children. Rabbits are capable of showing affection through grooming, guinea pigs are vocal and quite expressive little animals, and their metabolism and dietary requirements make them much cheaper to own than dogs or cats.

In fact, this is probably the number one reason for considering rodents as your next pets. The average Australian pet owner spends a small fortune, each year on the specific needs of their cat or dog. It’s worth it, sure. Our pets are loyal companions that deserve the best of the best. However, there is no denying that owning a rabbit or a guinea pig is cheaper. In fact, to keep them happy, you just need to invest in some Oxbow Timothy hay, a playpen or a cage, and a toy or two.

Why Go for Oxbow Rabbit Food or Guinea Pig Hay?

It’s simple, when it comes to the reputation developed in Australia, no other rodent-focused brand is perhaps better seen than Oxbow. The product lines commercialised by Oxbow make use of Timothy hay, and they are designed to fulfil the nutritional requirements of constantly grazing animals, which need to wear down their teeth, and that sometimes might suffer from low gut motility.

Yes, you can perhaps purchase a bunch of Orchard or Oat hay and call it a day. But let’s be honest here for one moment. You will make a mistake. Products like Oxbow Timothy hay or Oxbow rabbit food are formulated by specialised nutritionists. They are especially high in top-quality fibre, they are free from artificial colourants or filler materials, and sometimes even include vitamins and minerals required for the proper development of our pets.

Is There a Difference Between Guinea Pig Formulas and Oxbow Rabbit Food?

Oxbow Timothy hay, for example, when used in the formulas intended for guinea pigs, makes use of added Vitamin C. That’s because guinea pigs, just like us, are unable to synthesise it on their own, and they are surprisingly vulnerable, in fact, to scurvy. Rabbits, on the other hand, don’t have this problem, and the lack of added Vitamin C is perhaps the biggest difference between Oxbow rabbit food and the formulas designed for guinea pigs.

Other than that, the Oxbow Timothy hay can be fed to both guinea pigs and rabbits. They both have the same base diet, their teeth follow a similar growth pattern, and even their digestive systems have things in common. The main difference is made by Vitamin C. A guinea pig cannot survive long-term on Oxbow rabbit food, not without the occasional vegetable treat from time to time. Rabbit, on the other hand, can do fine on guinea pig food. The supplementary Vitamin C will just leave their body. Is it ideal? No. But it’s not the end of the world.  

Why Is Oxbow Timothy Hay the Default in the Industry?

Timothy hay has transformed into the default choice for the formulation of rabbit and guinea pig food. There’s a good reason for this. This hay is rich in fibre, is defined by low levels of calcium, has a nice, easily digestible consistency, and it’s widely available and also quite cheap. It’s the best option around when it comes to the density of long-strand indigestible fibre.

Both rabbits and guinea pigs are exclusive herbivores that, in their natural environment, spend most of their time foraging and chewing on fibrous plants. They need to do so in order to prevent gut blockages, which, in their case, can even become fatal. Since it's rich in fibre, Timothy hay prevents GI stasis, contributes to the formation of consistent stools and also gives rodents something to chew on.

Is it the most nutritious hay around? Not really. But it doesn’t matter that much as long as it’s available in large quantities. Timothy hay is lower in calcium than Alfalfa hay; it’s highly palatable for most guinea pigs and rabbits, it has a moderate amount of protein, and its consistency is rough enough to contribute to natural tooth wear. It simply checks all boxes, and so, it has become the preferred choice in the industry.

What Treats Can You Offer Them?

I never had a pet rabbit, but when I was a kid, my first real pet was a guinea pig I called Arthur. I’ll be honest, I was really young and I don’t remember him that well, but what I do know is that one of my favourite activities at the time was giving him specific treats.

At least 80% to 90% of a rodent's diet should consist of Timothy hay. But if you want to keep them playful and happy, you can also provide them with treats. Romaine lettuce, for example, is a safe choice. But I remember Arthur was especially fond of cucumbers and bell peppers. You must be careful, though, as some legumes that might seem safe at first hand are actually toxic for our fluffy friends.

No matter what, you should never feed onions, leeks or chives to your guinea pig or rabbit. Likewise, you cannot give them garlic, rhubarb or mushrooms. Plus, some nuts, such as sunflower seeds, can prove to be too fatty for their digestive system and also present a high risk of choking. As a simple rule: Around 90% of their food should consist of Timothy hay, and the rest, try to limit to simple vegetables rich in Vitamin C but safe for their digestive system.