Guinea pigs can surely be messy pets, especially when it comes to food. No matter how hard you try to keep your pet’s cage clean, they always find a way to kick hay, pellets, and veggies all over the place!
My two piggies are exceptionally untidy, whether they’re throwing hay out of the cage, sleeping in their litter box, or throwing toys around. Wasting hay was by far their most frustrating trait, though.
They used to drag it around the floor and pee or poop on it, which meant I was replacing it at least five times a day. Changing hay this many times daily got pretty expensive, as you can imagine.
That’s when I decided to give a hay feeder a go. Even after a day of using one, I couldn’t believe how much hay (and time) I was saving.
If you’ve also got a messy guinea pig, a hay-only feeder could finally put an end to your pet’s untidy habits. Here I’ll be looking at some of the best guinea pig hay feeders to help you find the right one.
The Best From The Review
Top Pick
Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Manger
Sporting a robust and strong wooden construction, this hay rack from Nitangel keeps your guinea pig’s food secure so it doesn’t create a mess.
Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Manger
This feeder for guineas is my overall top pick as it’s strong, durable, and keeps hay off the floor.
Best Value
Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball
The Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball has a unique ball design that keeps your guinea pig’s food tidy and clean. It’s straightforward to use and install too.
Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball
This feeder is a great option if you need a functional feeder that doesn’t cost too much money.
Editor’s Choice
JanYoo Hay Feeder
Suitable for multiple piggies due to its multi-directional openings, this rack features a heavy-duty wooden construction to increase its longevity.
JanYoo Hay Feeder
My personal favorite feeder for piggies due to its high-quality materials and structure.
Top 5 Best Guinea Pig Hay Feeders
Top Pick
Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Manger
The Niteangel Wooden Hay Feeder sports a sturdy and robust construction, which is ideal for even the most destructive guinea pigs! It comes with a lid that keeps hay securely inside the unit and doubles up as a climbing platform!
Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Manger
First up is the Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Feeder/Manger, boasting a sturdy wooden construction.
The reason why this feeder is my top pick is because it comes with a lid. This keeps your pet’s hay securely inside the hay rack, preventing any untidy messes.
Climbing Platform
It can also serve as a climbing platform for your guinea pig, so it doubles up as a sort of lookout post.
My piggies love to explore, and I think they’d love something like this in their hutch.
The guinea pig hay rack can be connected to any wire cage using the provided nut kit with relative ease too. Even if you’re not the best at DIY, you shouldn’t have any problem installing it.
Misleading Size
My main gripe with this wooden manger is its misleading size. The image makes the hay rack look a little bigger than it actually is.
That said, I still think it’s a decent size for a pair or trio of piggies. It would also be a good option for a more compact cage as it doesn’t take up a lot of room.
Specs
- Dimensions: 9.96” x 7.91” x 7.01”
- Weight: 1.9 lbs
- Material: Plywood
Pros
- Sturdy and strong construction
- Comes with a lid so hay stays securely inside
- Doubles up as a climbing platform
- Easy to install
Cons
- Smaller than it looks
Best Value
Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball
The Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball is an affordable but functional feeder for your small pet. It’s easy to attach to any cage, and features a ball design that helps keep your guinea pig’s hay clean.
Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball
Next up is the Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball, a fun and affordable way to keep your guinea pig’s mealtimes tidy. It has a ball shape design that helps prevent wasted food.
Food-Safe Material
The feeder is made from powder-coated metal that is both pet safe and chewproof. My two piggies are big chewers and will munch through anything they can get their paws on, so this is a feature I’d find useful.
I also really like how easy the feeder is to install – simply attach it to any wire or mesh cage using the clip. It’s that straightforward!
The feeder even comes with a bell so you know when your pet is using the device.
Durability Issues
However, this feeder from Ware Manufacturing can suffer from durability problems.
The clip is not very sturdy, so it could fall off if your guinea pig pulls on it too much. Additionally, the bell can fall off, which could be a choking hazard.
You might want to remove the bell before use just to be on the safe side.
Specs
- Dimensions: 4” x 4” x 8.5”
- Weight: 0.8
- Material: Powder Coated Metal
Pros
- Ball design that keeps your pet’s hay clean and secure
- Easy access and simple to attach
- Made from powder coated metal that is chewproof
Cons
- Clip is a little flimsy
- Bell could be a potential choking hazard
Editor’s Choice
JanYoo Hay Feeder
Featuring a strong wooden construction, the JanYoo Feeder is an excellent choice for a pair or group of piggies as it has multiple openings. The unit stops hay or other food leaking onto your cage floor to make for a tidier habitat.
JanYoo Hay Feeder
My personal favorite guinea pig hay rack is the JanYoo Feeder due to its good-quality and strong construction, as well as its adorable design.
Accessibility
The feeder has multiple openings, making it a good option for a pair or small group of piggies. It’ll fit right in guinea pig cages for 2.
This discourages fighting as it makes sure each guinea pig gets enough hay.
It’s made out of all natural wood that is completely safe for small pets. You don’t have to worry about your guinea pig gnawing on the feeder!
Form Factor
The rectangular shape of the feeder allows it to hold food securely so it doesn’t spill all over your guinea pig’s cage floor.
My piggies are pretty untidy and love to make a mess, especially when it comes to food, so I could really benefit from a feeder like this.
I also really like how easy the food bin feeder is to use. All you need to do is fill the unit with hay from the top and you’re done.
Ease Of Use
Another great aspect of this hay rack from JanYoo is its easy installation.
You can either attach it to your cage using the provided wingnuts (the unit also comes with two pre-drilled holes) or leave it free standing.
Unfortunately, a small number of units can have sharp or rough edges which could scratch your small pet. I’d recommend smoothing down the edges with some sandpaper before you give this feeder to your guinea pig.
Specs
- Dimensions: 11.81” x 6.3” x 6.5”
- Weight: 1.9 lbs
- Material: Oak Wood
Pros
- Sturdy and strong construction
- Multiple openings
- Can be installed two easy ways
- Easy to use
Cons
- Some models can have sharp edges
Zswell Hay Food Bin Feeder
The Zswell Hay Food Bin Feeder is great for keeping your pet’s hay clean, ensuring it doesn’t leak out the sides. It also has a tray-like bin that can be used to store pellets or other guinea pig food.
Zswell Hay Food Bin Feeder
Another solid feeder for your pet is the Zswell Hay Food Bin Feeder as it can hold hay, pellets, and other types of food. It has a durable plastic construction that is relatively sturdy so it shouldn’t slide around once it’s installed.
The rack keeps both your pet’s hay, pellets, or other food secure to reduce spillage and waste. It’s a little different than some of the other feeders I’ve looked at as it comes with a tray-like bin.
Space Saver
This can save space in your cage as you won’t need to use two separate feeding devices for your guinea pig’s food! You could use it to hold hay, water, pellets, or some fruits/veggies
The rack is available in a couple of fun colors: yellow and pink. It’s pretty simple to install as it comes with a predrilled hole so you can attach it to your cage. You can also leave it free standing.
Minor Bin Issues
As much as I like this food bin feeder, I did find a minor issue with it. The white metal retaining fence meant to hold the hay can fall off easily, especially if your guinea pig is a bit clumsy.
Specs
- Dimensions: 7” x 7” x 6.2”
- Weight: 11.22 oz
- Material: Plastic and Metal
Pros
- Durable plastic construction
- Comes with a tray bin that can hold pellets or other food
- Can be attached directly to your cage or left free standing
- Available in a couple of fun colors
Cons
- White grid can fall off easily
Living World Hay Feeding Station for Pets
This feeding station by Living World has a wheel design that keeps hay clean and encourages natural foraging behavior.
Living World Hay Feeding Station for Pets
Last but not least is the Living World Hay Feeding Station, sporting a wheel design that is both easy for your pet to use and simple to install.
It effectively keeps hay clean and prevents food spillages while also being easy for your pet to access.
Ease Of Use
The best feature about this hay feeding station is it requires zero assembly and installation.
All you need to do is place the unit in your pet’s cage – that’s all there is to it.
Healthy Design
I also really like that the design of the feeder encourages natural foraging behavior. This is ideal for mental stimulation and helps replicate a more natural environment for your guinea pig.
However, the bars on this feeder can be a little too close together, which could make it difficult for your pet to access any food inside. This can be fixed by bending the wires apart, so I don’t think it’s a huge concern.
Specs
- Dimensions: 5.8” x 6.3” x 6.3”
- Weight: 0.55 lbs
- Material: Plastic and Metal
Pros
- Requires no assembly or installation
- Keeps hay clean and fresh
- Wheel design encourages natural foraging behavior
Cons
- Bars are a little close together
Things to Consider When Buying a Guinea Pig Feeder for Hay
There are a few things you should keep in mind when buying a guinea pig feeder for hay to ensure you select one that is safe and reliable.
Sharp Edges or Hardware
The best hay racks have smooth edges so your pet can’t injure themselves. Before you put a hay rack (or any toy/accessory for that matter) inside your pet’s cage, run your finger along each edge so you can check for any jagged edges.
The best hay racks have smooth edges…
If you spot any rough sections, use a bit of sandpaper to try and smooth them out.
Size
If you own a pair or a group of guinea pigs, it’s important to use a hay rack that can hold sufficient hay for each piggy.
Guinea pigs need plenty of hay in their diet, so using an overly small feeder could result in underfeeding your pet. Besides, you don’t want to constantly fill up the rack throughout the day as this would be pretty time consuming.
Shape and Style
Guinea pig hay racks and feeders come in all shapes and styles, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages.
Here’s a video overview of the different hay rack options you can have.
Ball-style feeders are easy to use and attach, but you need to make sure you’re hanging them low enough so your guinea pig can reach them.
Free-standing feeders require no installation and are easily reached, but they could be knocked over if they’re not sturdy.
FAQs
How Do You Set Up a Guinea Pig Feeder for Hay?
How you set up a feeder depends on the shape and design. The majority of hay racks come with predrilled holes and screws so you can attach them directly to your cage.
TIP
Some feeders can be connected to your cage using clips. Others require no installation at all and can simply be placed on the floor in your cage.
Are Hay Feeders Bad for Guinea Pigs?
Some hay racks or feeders might be unsuitable for piggies, especially if they have small openings or holes. Your pet could get their paws, head, or other parts of their body trapped.
Additionally, some guinea pig owners believe that feeders can restrict how much food your pet gets.
If your pet has any health issues that inhibit their movement or chewing ability, feeders might not be the best choice.
You might want to use a guinea pig bowl or simply scatter the hay on the bottom of the cage instead.
Why Guinea Pigs Waste Their Hay?
Most of the time, guinea pigs waste hay unintentionally when they’re eating. However, some piggies can be fussy eaters, so they might refuse to eat certain types of fresh hay or only consume a small amount.
One of my piggies is a bit picky as he will only eat Timothy hay – he won’t touch any other types, including alfalfa hay (which most piggies love as a treat).
How to Keep Guinea Pigs From Wasting Hay
Using a hay rack can help prevent your pet from wasting hay as it keeps it in the same place.
However, if your guinea pig is a bit of a fussy eater when it comes to hay, there’s not much you can do to stop them wasting food.
Hay is vital for your guinea pig’s health as they need it for digestion.
A guinea pig’s diet should be primarily made up of high-quality grass hay. Even if your pet doesn’t appear to enjoy this type of hay, you should still offer it to them every day.
Final Thoughts
Top Pick
After looking at a range of hay racks, I think the best one overall is the Niteangel Pet Wooden Hay Manger due to its sturdy and durable construction.
It holds a good amount of hay (it’s even big enough for rabbits) and helps prevent feed wastage and messes. I like that it’s made from all natural wood that’s guinea pig-safe so it can be used for chewing too.
The rack comes with a lid that not only keeps hay secure, but also provides your pet with a climbing platform.
Best on a Budget
If you’re looking for a more affordable hay rack, the Ware Manufacturing Hay Ball is a good choice. It’s simple to use and install, and has a fun ball design that is large enough for a pair of piggies.
Editor’s Choice
Alternatively, if you can afford to spend a little extra, the JanYoo Hay Feeder is definitely worth considering.
It has multi-directional openings that are big enough for rabbits, so it should be plenty large enough for a group of piggies. It’s also made from pet-safe wood that is suitable for chewing.
I hope I helped you find the best hay racks for your pet. Which one is your favorite?
Be sure to let me know in the comments or on our social media platforms! If you’re looking for more guinea pig advice or product recommendations, take a look at our other posts! We have this guide can help you find the best hay for guinea pigs that you might want to check out.
