Pets are becoming more and more like part of the family, and we all want the best for our loved ones.
Guinea pigs are small, cute, and a big ball of love, so if you are a new guinea pig owner and want to know how to take care of your new pet, you need to start by ensuring it has all its essentials.
Provided you have chosen the best cage for your little one, deciding on the best guinea pig hay feeder would be one of your next steps.
A hay feeder is an essential item for your new pet because if you just spread the hay and it gets mixed with its bedding, it can become spoiled by the guinea pig’s feces, urine, or spilled water. This will cause bacteria and fungi to appear, and your little one may get sick. And, let’s not forget the smell of the cage, which will not be pleasant.
So, now you know you need a hay feeder, but what kind of feeder should you buy? What things do you need to take into consideration when making a decision? Should you choose a hanging feeder or one that rests on the floor?
It may seem a little bit overwhelming and confusing, but that’s why we are here. Below we answer all these questions, including our top picks for guinea pig hay feeders.
What’s the best hay feeder for my guinea pig?
There are so many varieties and choices on the market, but not all are good-quality hay racks. And we always want the best for our furry friends.
In this part, we will discuss a few key points you would need to consider before making the best choice for you and your pet.
Material matters
One of the most important points is the material from which the hay feeder is made. It must be non-toxic because it can be harmful to your little ball of love.
Durable, non-toxic material is a feature you need to look for in the best hay feeder for your guinea pig and you.
Is it safe?
You don’t want your pet to get injured from its hay feeder. In relation, choose a feeder that doesn’t have sharp edges and surfaces. So, no nails or screws that can harm your guinea pig.
Hay feeders with smooth surface would be a great choice for the safety of the little one.
Furthermore, pay attention to the opening of the hay rack. Some feeders may have openings that could trap the little head of your guinea pig. By getting stuck, it can hurt itself.
Choose a feeder that has a small opening, so your pet can’t put its head all the way through and get stuck. Or, you could decide to go for a hay rack that contains a larger opening, and it will allow the little one to move its head freely.
The safety of your guinea pig is the most important thing to consider when you are making your decision.
Hay, pellets, or both?
Some feeders are made for holding hay and pellets, while other feeders are made only for hay. Which one you are going to choose depends on your needs. There isn’t a specific reason to choose one over the other, so know what your guinea pig needs before making a choice.
The size of the hay feeder
Firstly, think about the size of the cage. Guinea pigs need a big area to run around, so the feeder shouldn’t take up much space.
Before making the purchase, check if the rack will fit in the home of your little one. Moreover, ensure that the size of the connectors is appropriate as well.
With the bedding and the other necessary items that will be in the cage, you want to be certain that the feeder won’t cram the free space the guinea pig needs.
Secondly, the size of the feeder will determine the quantity of hay it can contain. You would want to ensure that the rack can contain enough hay for at least a day.
Is it easy to clean?
This is something to consider, and it is important for you as well as for your pet. Selecting a hay feeder that is easy to clean will ensure that your little one stays healthy and safe. And this is the reason you would want to use the rack anyway.
When cleaning, check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Following the instructions will provide more durability, and you will avoid damaging the hay rack.
Attached or not?
We recommend that you choose a rack that can be attached to the cage. If the hay feeder is just resting on the floor of the cage, it may get mixed with the bedding, and that will defeat the purpose of having a feeder in the first place.
Guinea Pig Hay Feeder – Top Six Picks
Taking into consideration the characteristics we mentioned above, we will go over our top picks for guinea pig hay feeders.
The list contains feeders with different styles, made of different materials, and meeting different needs.
We are confident that this will be of great help to you and your little ball of love.
All Living Things – Small Pet Hay and Pellet Feeder
All Living Things is a brand that offers accessories, grooming supplies, habitats, and specially formulated food for pets. They even have starter kits for new pet owners.
This feeder is a suitable container for hay and pellets. The divider between the part for hay and the part for pellets is removable in case you want to use the feeder for only one item.
Furthermore, the rack is made of ceramic, which means it is safe for your little one, it is chew-proof, and it is durable.
You can lock it securely to a wire cage, and it is safe to wash it in a dishwasher.
Pros
- It has space for hay and pellets
- It can last for years because it is made of durable material
- It is chew-proof and safe for the little ball of love
- The divider is removable
- It is dishwasher friendly
Cons
- It may not hold enough quantity of hay for one day
- The pellets may get mixed with the hay
All Living Things – Hay Rack Small Pet Hay Feeder
This is another great and easy-to-use product from All Living Things. The hanging hay rack prevents hay from falling on the floor of the cage because it attaches to the outside of a wire cage.
Furthermore, the style of this hay rack is curvy, with no sharp edges or surfaces, which makes it safe for your guinea pig.
It is really simple to use and clean because you won’t have to open the cage every time you need t to refill it or wash it. Just ensure it dries completely before using it again.
Pros
- It is simple and easy to install
- It attaches from the outside, which prevents hay from mixing with the bedding
- It is made of smooth plastic
- It is very affordable
Cons
- It doesn’t hold a big quantity of hay, which means you will need to refill it several times a day
- It has space only for hay
Precision Pet Products – Hay Rack
Precision Pet Products is a company that provides a range of items for pets that are made of durable materials suitable for even the most active pets.
This hay rack from Precision Pet Products is constructed from a durable metal material.
It doesn’t have any sharp edges or exposed hooks, which makes it safe for your little one.
Moreover, it can be used as a dispenser for vegetables, fruits, or other treats you wish to give to your guinea pig.
And, to add another good feature, it is simple to install and easy to clean.
Pros
- Its material makes it durable and safe for your pet
- It is easy to attach to the cage
- It is easy to clean
- It can be used as a dispenser for other treats
- It is very affordable
Cons
- If you attach it to the inside of the cage, hay may fall on the floor
- If this feeder is your choice, you need to ensure it can fit in your cage
Kaytee – Hay N Food Bin with Quick Locks Small Animal Feeder
Kaytee is an industry leader with a history of 140 years. Throughout, they have provided a variety of products for pets with consistent quality.
Kaytee’s feeder has two compartments, one for pellets and one for hay. The divider keeps the hay and the pellets separate.
The material is a combination of wood and plastic, which makes it safe, durable, and easy to clean. You can wash it with warm water and mild detergent.
You can attach it easily to the wire cage of your little ball of love, and it will keep the food clean and off the floor.
Pros
- It is easy to clip it to the wire of the cage
- It is easy to clean and wash
- Its material is durable
- It has two compartments, one for hay, and one for pellets
Cons
- The clips may not be the best quality
- It may be difficult for the guinea pig to reach the hay
Ware – Small Animal Hay Feeder
Ware offers a wide range of accessories for pets that are quite affordable. One of those items is the small animal hay feeder.
The integrated metal clasps make it easy to install and attach anywhere you want on the wire of your pet’s cage.
The material is sturdy, and the powder-coated wire makes a durable and safe rack for the little one.
It has a locking lid, and it comes with a free salt licker which the little ball of love will enjoy.
Pros
- It is made of sturdy, durable, and safe material
- It is easy to install and attach to the wire cage
- It includes a free salt licker
- It is easy to clean
Cons
- Hay can easily fall through the space between the wires on the floor of the cage
- It has space only for hay
Kaytee – Small Animal Natural Hay Manger Feeder
This small animal natural hay manger feeder is another amazing pet product from Kaytee.
What we love about this feeder is that it is made of natural, dye-free wood, which makes it non-toxic for your little furry friend.
You can hang it easily in the cage of your pet and use it as a hay rack or put any other type of food.
It doesn’t contain any nails and staples that could hurt your little one.
Pros
- It is made of natural, dye-free wood
- It is very easy to set it up in the cage
- It is safe for your pet
- It can be used for hay or other types of food
Cons
- You may need to refill it several times a day because it is quite small
- It has space only for hay
- Food can be scattered on the floor of the cage
- Wood may not be very easy to clean
Few more words…
Hay plays an important role in the health of your guinea pig’s digestive tract. Therefore, it is a must to be included in its nutrition plan. However, the hay must be placed in good quality, safe rack. Your choice will depend on your and your little furry friend’s needs. The best guinea pig hay feeder is safe for the pet, durable, and easily maintained.
