Oxbow vs Small Pet Select Timothy Hay
Two of the most bought rabbit hays. Cutting, freshness, bag size, cost per pound and what actually changes between them.
The short version
The meaningful difference is not the brand but the cutting and the freshness. Second cutting timothy, which is what most rabbits are offered, balances leaf and stem. First cutting is coarser and stemmier with more of the abrasive fibre that wears molars. Third is soft and leafy and often refused by rabbits who want something to chew. Small Pet Select sells by cutting and in large boxes, which usually works out cheaper per pound and arrives fresher. Oxbow is available almost everywhere in smaller bags, which suits one rabbit and limited storage. Buy the biggest quantity you can store dry.
At a glance
| Oxbow Western Timothy Hay, 20 lb | Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay | |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting specified | Not usually | Yes |
| Typical cost per pound | Higher | Lower in the big boxes |
| Packaging | Compressed bags | Loose in a box |
| Storage space needed | Less | More |
| Availability | Almost everywhere | Online |
| Freshness on arrival | Variable | Usually good |
Choose the Oxbow Western Timothy Hay, 20 lb if…
Choose the widely stocked option if you have one rabbit, limited storage, or you want to be able to buy more locally when a delivery is late. Compressed bags take up less room, though the hay comes out flatter and some rabbits prefer it fluffed. Open the bag when it arrives and smell it. Sweet and green is right, musty or dusty is not, and a bad bag should go back rather than into the litter box.
Check Oxbow Western Timothy Hay, 20 lb on Amazon
Choose the Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay if…
Choose the boxed loose hay if you have two rabbits, storage space, and want the lowest cost per pound with the cutting specified. Second cutting suits most rabbits. If your rabbit is a poor hay eater, ordering a sample of different cuttings is a cheap experiment that often solves the problem, since preference between cuttings is real and individual. Store it in something breathable such as a fabric bin or a cardboard box, never sealed plastic, which traps moisture and grows mould.
Check Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay on Amazon
Each hay has a full review of its own: Oxbow Western Timothy 40 lb and Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting.
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Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between first, second and third cutting?
First cutting is harvested earliest and tends to be coarse and stemmy with more seed heads, which gives good chewing but is refused by some rabbits. Second cutting is the usual all rounder, with a mix of leaf and stem. Third cutting is soft, leafy and richer, and it is often used to tempt a poor eater or a rabbit with dental problems, though it gives the teeth less work. Many owners feed a mix.
How should hay be stored?
Somewhere dry, dark and airy. Sealed plastic bins trap moisture and cause mould, which is the main risk to watch. A cardboard box, a hay bag or a fabric storage bin in a cool room works well. Do not store it in a damp garage or a shed that heats up in summer. Mouldy hay can make a rabbit seriously ill and should be discarded, not sorted through.
Is expensive hay better?
Not necessarily, and price mostly tracks packaging and shipping rather than quality. What matters is that it is fresh, green, sweet smelling, free of mould and dust, and that your rabbit eats a lot of it. A cheap bale from a local farm can be excellent, provided it is horse or rabbit quality grass hay stored properly, and provided you can inspect it before buying.
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