The Little Hay Co, a specialist producer of high-quality grass hay and feeding products for small species, has launched three new feeding hay boxes designed to provide optimal nutrition and enrichment for pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and other rodents.
Having originally focused on bundled dried hays, using innovative new farming techniques to preserve mineral content and achieve ideal moisture levels, the Cotswold-based firm has expanded rapidly with a growing selection of treats, bedding and cost-effective bundles.
New Forage Boxes Available From The Little Hay Co
The three new products feature colourful, natural and UK-produced grasses and pellets, each blending texture and food sizes to ensure mealtimes are engaging and health-positive for domestic pets and species that require a large proportion of tough fibres to support digestion and dental health.
Spring Forage Festival Boxes
Available in one and two-kilo haybox sizes and mixed with a choice of hay variety, the Spring Forage Festival box comprises a generous layer of either Silky Soft or Cotswold Sweet hay based on pet preferences – buyers can also combine their selection half and half.
Layers include alfalfa pellets, barley rings, dandelion roots, edible dried florals and a Spinach Little Hay Co Cookie, with a lid for storage purposes and to keep the contents preserved between meals or foraging interactions.
Fruity Forage Boxes
The Fruit Forage Box is also available in two sizes and with both hay variants. The smaller one-kilo box is assembled with applewood sticks and fruit sticks, doubled to a 300g mixture for the three-kilo forage tray.
Designed for play, bonding and enrichment, the Fruity Forage Box includes selected fruits from the company’s five-a-day fruit mixture, such as flaked peas, banana chips and sliced strawberries, apples and carrots.
Sunshine Forage Boxes
The newly launched Sunshine Forage Box is available in one-kilo or two-kilo sizes and made with Canadian Premium Timothy Hay, Cotswold Sweet or Silky Soft Hay, designed to stimulate foraging by blending rich summer colours with dried marigolds, sunflowers and banana along with pear sticks, grass pellets and a chewy cookie.
Delivery is available UK-wide through DPD, and buyers are recommended to have an assigned safe place without exposure to rain, if they are unlikely to be at home to accept delivery due to the potential for rainfall to damage the outer eco-box.
The Health Benefits of Foraging for Small Animal Species
Foraging is proven to be beneficial for various small pet species, replicating their instinctive eating habits in the wild and providing both physical and mental stimulation, alongside the advantages of a varied and nutritious mixed diet.
Animals such as chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs spend around 70% of the day eating foods such as grass and plants. Owners are advised to scatter or hide food alongside feeding pellets in bowls or placing grass and hays in feeding nets and dispensers to encourage natural behaviour.
Using forage boxes is an ideal way to encourage pets to sniff, climb, explore and play, where largely inactive animals are incentivised to engage their senses and to climb and move more frequently, where sniffing and searching provide mental stimulation.
There are several ways to create an environment for foraging, such as hiding or spreading treats around a run or hutch, weaving grasses between the bars on a cage, or providing several smaller bowls with different foods in each.
Feeding Guidelines for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Other Pets
RSPCA feeding advice indicates that good quality hays should form the largest proportion of a rabbit or guinea pig's diet, with natural grazing ideal, along with access to grass and native plants such as dandelions.
The charity also recommends feeding fresh grass-based pellets, small amounts of fruits and root vegetables as treats, and leafy weeds or greens like broccoli and kale.
The farmer behind The Little Hay Co, Alexander, says: "We are delighted to announce our new, broader selection of forage boxes and have been grateful for the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers – on behalf of their happy, healthy pets!
Each box is designed to provide a different balance of texture, flavour and sensation to ensure small animal species look forward to meal times or have the diversity within their diet that leads to long-term health and wellness.
Owners can use their forage boxes as they wish – either by introducing their pets to the box for a limited period to prevent overfeeding or by scattering or laying trails, with all ingredients locally produced and without any synthetic additives. Our forage boxes are limited edition since all the contents are sourced here in the Cotswolds, so we advise ordering swiftly to avoid disappointment."
Read more about The Little Hay Co - Small Pet Experts at The Little Hay Co Explain the Science Behind 'Magic' 12% Hay Moisture Content
Media Contact:
Masie Copestake
The Little Hay Company
Instagram: @littlehayco
About The Little Hay Co
The Little Hay Co is a producer of premium, high-quality, delicious hay for rabbits and other small animals, based in the heart of the Cotwolds, UK. The premium hay producer grows specially selected grass species, harvested at the optimum moment to ensure the creation of quality pet hay, to encourage the best daily intake of food and the best welfare for pets, clean from harmful spores.
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Source Company: https://littlehayco.com/
Original Source of the original story >> The Little Hay Co Launches Three New Foraging Hay Boxes
