The Importance of Timothy Hay

The Excel Feeding Plan

Humans, in optimal circumstances, have a varied diet. Even vegetarians eat a wide variety of food on a daily basis. Perhaps even university students get a decent variety of foods in their stomach on a regular basis. But, not all animals are created around the need for such a diverse group of nutrients and vitamins. Some, like fibrevores, really focus in on a few nutrients – and they need those in bulk. And, just like humans, animals that depend on just a few nutrients will suffer poor health if they do not receive what they need on a regular basis.

Not sure what a fibrevore is or what one needs to eat? This quick guide will provide you with all the information you need.

What Is a Fibrevore?

Fibrevores are like vegetarians insomuch as they do not need (nor are they likely to eat) animal products. But, fibrevores are a special kind of herbivore. Not only do they not eat meat, but they also (rather unsurprisingly given their name) need an incredible amount of fibre in their diet. This is a need as basic as water for these animals. A diet that does not consist almost entirely from the fibre (which, once again unsurprisingly, is best found in timothy hay) can actually harm these animals.

So just who are the fibrevores of the world? There really are only a few of them. The best known fibrevores are rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. These animals have special digestive systems centred, almost entirely, on fibre and timothy hay. That’s not to say that they don’t need a few leafy greens here and there, or that other treats will go amiss. It simply means that most of the food these fibrevores receive must contain a great deal of fibre.

And there are side benefits in addition to the proper digestion of fibre. Rabbits, for example, have teeth that must be worn down, or they become painful and sharp. The only natural way to wear teeth down is through the grinding that rabbits do when eating hays and grasses.

How Do Fibrevores Digest All That Fibre?

In truth, fibrevores have a rather complicated digestive system. In order to make it work properly, they must consume both digestible and indigestible fibre. One or the other will only get half the system working.

Indigestible fibre, although it would be easy to assume is not needed is the beginning of a fibrevore’s digestive process. Indigestible fibre passes through the stomach without being broken down into food. It then passes into the intestines, ensuring that it stimulates the development of healthy intestinal flora as it goes. And then, finally, this indigestible fibre is excreted as waste. Although this may not seem like an important part of the process, it is completely necessary to ensure that these animals remain in fine form. Not only does it keep things moving, but it also stimulates their desire to keep munching away on their hay.

Digestible fibre, on the other hand, follows a completely different path through the body. As it is eaten, it moves into the stomach. Here, as much of the fibrey goodness that these animals can get from timothy hay is extracted and broken into food. Unfortunately, this is simply not enough fibre

So, instead of passing into the intestines, fibre passes into an appendix like organ called the caecum. Fibre stays in this organ where it becomes fermented until it is easier for fibrevores to digest. However, because it has already passed the stomach, it is now excreted as a caecotroph. While this may seem a little gross to the uninitiated, fibrevores need to eat these caecotrophs in order, finally, to pull all the fibre they need to thrive.

 

Don’t panic, caecotrophs are nothing at all like excrement. They are just food on a two part journey through the body. Typically, you can distinguish them as the softer, stickier looking balls of excrement. And, don’t worry too much if you don’t catch your fibrevores eating their caecotrophs straight away. Often, these animals will wait until the cover of night to get to this part of their meal.

Feeding Your Fibrevores

 

Fibrevores need such an incredible amount of fibre that it must form the central part of their diet. And, timothy hay is the best commercially available source of fibre. (Indeed, it’s the best source of both digestible and indigestible fibre regardless of its availability; we’re just lucky that it’s widely available for our pets.)

With this in mind, it’s important to ensure that timothy hay forms the basis of your rabbit, chinchilla or guinea pig’s diet. Realistically, each fibrevore needs pile of timothy hay at least as large as itself to eat every day. Anything less could be too little. Don’t worry you cannot offer your fibrevores too much timothy hay. They will stop eating if they have had enough. And, if they do happen to eat a little too much of it, there’s nothing to worry about; it will not make them ill, nor will it hang on their hips the way it would do on many humans.

Also, don’t forget the water! Although your chinchillas, guinea pigs and rabbits need plenty of timothy hay, they still need access to fresh water every day – the same as any other animal does. And remember, if you do have any questions about your fibrevore’s diet, you should consult your vet. They will be able to answer any questions you may have while they give your furry friend a checkup.

 For more information about feeding Timothy Hay please visit the Excel Feeding Plan

website

http://www.burgesspetcare.com/brands/excel-feeding-plan/