While both Alfalfa and Timothy provide the necessary
fiber for a small herbivore’s digestive system, each hay has different
qualities, beneficial to specific animals.
Alfalfa Hay is a high-fiber legume hay with the same
long-strand fiber found in grass hays, but with more protein, energy and
calcium. This hay is perfect for young or lactating animals that need
concentrated nutrition. The succulent taste stimulates the appetite of ill or
post-surgical animals. Once an animal reaches adulthood or completes recovery,
this nutritious forage should be replaced with a grass hay. Alfalfa Hay, mixed
with other grass hay, creates a rich, flavorful and nutritious treat. Pellets made with alfalfa hay contain much
more protein, energy and calcium than those with timothy hay, perfect for
animals that have special nutrition needs, such as growing, sick, pregnant or
nursing animals.
Western
Timothy Hay is a good basic hay with high quality nutrition, and a fresh
fragrance that’s irresistible to small herbivores. It is the ideal long-strand fiber source for
keeping small animal digestive tracts functioning properly. With high fiber,
low protein and low calcium content—timothy is widely recommended by
veterinarians. Oxbow Pet Products was
the first pet food company to introduce timothy hay as a staple in the small
animal diet. It is now an industry standard. Pellets made with this high-fiber, low
protein and low calcium hay are recommended for adult animals.
