What is Ultra Premium Soft Timothy Hay?

Ultra Premium Soft Timothy Hay is our softest timothy cut—mostly tender leaves with thin stems—for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small herbivores who turn away from coarse hay or struggle with harder blades.

It matches what many shoppers mean when they ask for “third cut”: a soft, leaf-heavy profile. Harvest timing varies, so we grade every batch to that soft standard instead of promising a specific cutting.

Is soft timothy hay like third cut timothy?

Similar goal, not the same guarantee. True third-cut timothy needs a warm spring and a dry, warm fall for a late-season harvest, and that weather pattern is not reliable every year.

We work with farmers who can produce softer hay from high-elevation fields—thinner stalks, fuller leaves, and a texture close to what many shoppers expect from third cut. For season-level analysis and photos, see our Soft Timothy harvest report.

Who is soft timothy hay best for?

Soft timothy is often the right choice for picky eaters, senior pets, and animals with sensitive teeth. The leafier texture can make daily hay eating easier while still providing long-strand fiber for digestion.

Because this cut is softer, it may not provide as much coarse chewing resistance as stem-heavy hay. If your pet eats soft timothy exclusively, mention it to your vet at checkups. Chew toys such as apple chew sticks, or mixing in coarse orchard grass or coarse timothy hay, can help add more chewing variety.

What are the key benefits?

Soft grass blades — Leafier cut for picky eaters, seniors, and pets with sensitive teeth.
Hand-packed fresh — Packed by hand for fresh hay with minimal dust.
High fiber, naturally lower protein — Supports healthy digestion and steady weight in a grass-hay diet.
Single ingredient — 100% timothy hay with no fillers or additives.
Made for small herbivores — Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and similar pets.

How much timothy hay should I feed?

Keep grass hay available at all times. For adult rabbits 7 months and older and guinea pigs 6 months and older, grass hay should make up at least 80% of the diet. For chinchillas older than 1 year, aim for at least 75% grass hay.

Pellets and treats are supplemental. When switching hays, mix the old and new hay over 7–14 days and watch appetite and droppings. Younger animals, nursing mothers, and pets with health concerns may need different portions—check with your vet if you’re unsure.

What is in this hay?

Ingredients: 100% timothy hay

Guaranteed analysis:

Crude protein — min 10%
Crude fat — min 2%
ADF fiber — min 22%, max 39%
NDF fiber — min 41%, max 58%

How do we pack, source, and report on hay quality?

We visually inspect and hand-pack every bag so you get fresh hay with minimal dust and fewer fines to sort through at home. Long strands support natural foraging and digestion. Bagging also helps protect freshness from drying out or picking up odors in storage.

Store hay in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Avoid sealing hay in plastic long-term; if hay smells musty, feels damp, or looks unusually discolored, discard it and open a fresh bag.

We’re based in Northern California and source hay from trusted growers in the surrounding Northwest regions. Those grower relationships help us stay close to harvest quality, grading, and the standards behind every bag we ship. Batch updates post every 4–6 weeks through Fresh From The Hopper.

This product is eligible for Subscribe & Save, with savings up to 15% on recurring deliveries. The first three subscription orders receive 10% off, and the discount increases to 15% starting with the fourth order. Bundle & Save promotions may also appear when available.

For current RHDV2 policy and hay-safety information, see our RHDV2 information hub and the RHDV2 section of our FAQ.

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