Why Small Pets Need to Forage: Natural Instincts and Hay Play
Foraging is second nature to small pets. In the wild, rabbits, guinea pigs and other furry nibblers spend most of their day rummaging through grasses and plants in search of food. It’s how they stay active, alert, and content. At Pillow Wad, we’re big believers in encouraging those natural instincts at home – helping your pets feel happy, stimulated, and comfortable in their surroundings.
Let’s explore why foraging matters, and how you can make it part of their everyday…
Why Foraging Matters
In their natural habitat, small animals are constantly on the move, sniffing out grasses, herbs and tasty bits. It keeps them busy, sharp, and in good shape – both physically and mentally. Bringing that same experience into their home setup is a brilliant way to keep them engaged and thriving. It’s great for…
🧠 Mental Stimulation: Keeps their brains active and curious, reducing boredom and stress.
🏃 Natural Movement: All that rummaging gets them moving, stretching and hopping about.
🌿 Healthy Digestion: Grazing on hay and herbs supports a healthy gut.
🦷 Dental Care: Chewing helps wear down teeth naturally – a must for small pets.
How to Build a Foraging Setup at Home
🌾 Start with the Right Hay
Hay is the best base for any foraging setup. Our Meadow Hay, Timothy Hay or Farmer’s Blend are great places to start – all full of textures and scents that encourage natural nibbling. Just scatter a generous layer across their space to give them something to dig into.
🍃 Add a Sprinkle of Nibbley Bits
Our Nibbley Bits range is perfect for encouraging natural foraging behaviour. Full of wholesome ingredients and natural goodies, they’re made to scatter through the hay or tuck into corners for your pet to sniff out. The range includes everything from crunchy Willow Sticks and Dandelion Root, to softer, fragrant blends like our Flower Forage and Herb Garden – each one adding something different for tiny noses and paws to explore.
🧺 Get Creative with Simple Enrichment
Hide treats inside hay-filled cardboard tubes, paper bags, boxes, or scrunched-up newspaper. Try scattering hay and your Nibbley Bits of choice in a digging box or placing them under tunnels and hideaways. You can also tuck little portions into egg cartons or stuff them into willow balls for some extra foraging fun. It doesn’t need to be fancy – your pets will love the chance to search, dig and explore.
Mix & Match for Maximum Foraging Fun
With so many Nibbley Bits to choose from – including crunchy Willow Sticks, boredom-busting Dandelion Root, soothing Whole Nettle, vitamin-rich Dandelion Leaf, and our Nibbley Bit Cookies – it’s easy to create a foraging experience your pets will love.
Our Forage Mix & Match deal lets you choose 3 or 5 different 100g bags and save 10%, making it simple to rotate textures and flavours while keeping things exciting. It’s a brilliant way to discover new favourites and support your pets’ wellbeing through natural play and healthy enrichment.
Shop Nibbley Bits >
