We stock Oxbow Animal Health because it’s a brand that fits right in with what we care about at HayPigs!: quality, welfare first nutrition, and products that small pets can genuinely benefit from. It’s a trusted name in the small pet world, with a range that covers the everyday essentials as well as the bits and bobs that support good care, healthy routines, and a happy little life for your small furries.

For piggies, the big essentials are hay, a suitable daily food, and the right extras for support and enrichment. Popular picks from our Oxbow range include Western Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass Hay, Hay Blends, Essentials Adult Guinea Pig food, Natural Science Vitamin C Support, Critical Care, and Simple Rewards treats.

Western Timothy Hay is the classic, high fibre everyday hay that many guinea pigs and other small herbivores thrive on. Orchard Grass Hay is also a brilliant grass hay, and because it’s softer, it can also work well as bedding for some small furries, as well as being a lovely hay option in its own right.

Hay Blends combines Western Timothy and Orchard Grass in one bag, so your small furry gets a bit of variety without you having to play hay mixologist at home. It’s also more stimulating from an enrichment point of view, because they can forage through it, pick out the best bits, and enjoy the little treasure hunt along the way.

Yes, but alfalfa hay is usually best suited to young, growing, pregnant, or nursing guinea pigs because it’s richer in protein and calcium than grass hay. For healthy adult piggies, we’d suggest giving it sparingly, or not at all, depending on their needs and any advice from your vet.

Unlimited hay, always. Your piggy should have hay available all day, every day, because it supports digestion, helps wear teeth down naturally, and frankly, they love it! (Disclaimer: This excludes Alfalfa Hay which is super rich in protein and calcium so should be given to adult guinea pigs very sparingly, or not at all)

If they’re keen, they’ll usually let you know very quickly. If they turn their nose up at a new hay, it doesn’t always mean they dislike it — sometimes it just needs a bit of time, because it’s unfamiliar. The best approach is often to mix it gradually with their usual hay so they can get used to the new texture and smell without the full “what on earth is this?” moment.

It’s a complete daily food designed for adult guinea pigs, made to be fed alongside unlimited hay. It’s intended to support a balanced diet; not replace the glorious pile of hay your piggy should be scoffing through the day.

Follow the feeding guide on the bag and adjust for your piggy’s size, age, and overall condition. Our HayPigs!® Junior Food Tamer™ – Mini Food Bowl also helps with portion control, so dinner doesn’t turn into an unplanned feast.

Yes, they absolutely do. Guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C, so they need it from their diet, which is why products like Oxbow Natural Science Vitamin C Support can be useful alongside a good pellet and fresh veg.

It’s a supplement designed to help support vitamin C intake in guinea pigs and other small pets, made with timothy hay and stabilised vitamin C. It’s best thought of as a supportive extra, not a replacement for a proper, balanced diet.

Follow the product instructions and your vet’s guidance. Daily use may be appropriate for some piggies, but it’s always worth checking what suits your individual small furry, especially if they have existing health issues.

Critical Care is a high fibre recovery feed for herbivores who are not eating properly or need extra nutritional support due to illness, dental issues, or surgery. It’s a healthcare product, so it should always be used with veterinary guidance, not treated like an everyday food.

It’s usually mixed with warm water to create a soft feed that can be offered by syringe, spoon, or in a bowl if your pet will self feed. Your vet can advise on how much to use, but in general it’s given in several small feeds across the day to help support your pet until they are eating properly again.

It’s best to speak to a vet or guinea pig specialist first if you’ve never used it, rather than relying only on the instructions or videos. Critical Care is a support feed that can help bridge the gap while you’re getting veterinary help, but it does not replace the need to see a vet if your piggy or other small furry is unwell.

It’s a flavoured version of Critical Care that’s designed to be more appealing to some patients while they’re unwell, with an apple and banana taste. The important bit, though, is still the nutritional support and fibre content, not the flavour.

Yes, in sensible amounts. Treats should be just that: treats, not a core food group, however expertly your piggy may campaign for another round.

We stock Simple Rewards Baked Treats in Carrot & Dill, Apple & Banana, and Cranberry, all designed as small, occasional snacks for small animals. They’re a handy little extra for bonding, training, or just because your small furry deserves a bit of something special now and then.

A little and often is usually better than loads all at once. Treats should fit into a balanced diet and never crowd out hay, pellets, or the important business of being a healthy small animal.

Not always. Always check the packaging and feeding advice for the specific species, because what works for one small furry may not be right for another.

Oxbow Enriched Life products are designed to add stimulation, interest, and variety to your pet’s day. They’re there to support play, foraging, chewing, and general small furry mischief in a welfare friendly way.

Some Enriched Life items include natural, chewable materials, but not everything in the range is meant to be eaten. Always check each product carefully, supervise your pet, and remove anything that becomes damaged or unsafe.

Yes, absolutely. A good setup often includes a base of hay, a suitable daily food, a little enrichment, and the occasional treat, all chosen with your pet’s species and needs in mind.

Start with your pet’s species, age, health, and daily routine, then build from there, focusing first on hay and appropriate daily nutrition. If in doubt, prioritise hay, proper nutrition, and welfare first choices over anything that looks exciting but doesn’t suit your small furry — and of course, here at haypigs.com, we’ve got a team of experienced piggy parents who are here to help, so just reach out!