TLDR Review: Oxbow Western Timothy Hay
Pros
- •Smaller bags (under 40 ounces) of this hay tend to be fresher, moister, and higher quality than larger bags.
- •The 1unce size is well-liked by guinea pig owners due to the softer, fluffier parts of the hay.
- •Packaging keeps the hay fresh for a long time after opening in smaller quantities.
- •Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is generally considered a nutritious and appealing option, especially for guinea pigs.
- •This hay often outperforms other brands in terms of quality and enjoyment by guinea pigs.
Cons
- •Larger or bulk bags of the Western Timothy hay tend to be dry, brown, limp, and brittle, resulting in disappointing quality.
- •This dryness and poor quality can make the hay unappealing or wasted by pets, especially guinea pigs who avoid dusty chaff, seeds, and stalky parts.
- •Timothy hay contains a lot of stalks and stubble, which guinea pigs reject in favor of seed heads, causing significant waste.
- •Multiple users reported that the hay’s quality has declined compared to previous purchases, especially in larger quantities.
- •There are serious health concerns reported with this product: at least two rabbits reportedly died after consuming this hay within a few days, likely due to quality or safety issues—definitely a red flag for rabbit owners.
- •This variation of hay is not recommended for rabbits due to these safety incidents and dryness concerns.
- •The bottom of the hay bags often contains less desirable hay particles that pets tend to avoid.
Bottom Line
If you have guinea pigs and want a small quantity of Timothy hay, Oxbow Animal Health Western Timothy Hay in the 15-ounce bag can be a solid and nutritious choice with good freshness and pet appeal. However, **rabbit owners should avoid this product** due to reported health risks and dryness, especially in larger bags. Also, beware that the hay is somewhat stalky and prone to waste with guinea pigs, so consider supplementing with other hay types like Orchard Grass for more leafy material and less rejection. Overall, sticking to smaller bag sizes will offer better quality and freshness if you choose this brand. For a different experience with leafier hay that guinea pigs prefer and tend to waste less of, you might want to consider trying Orchard Grass varieties instead.
How we researched this
About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 68 retailers to give you the short version.
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