Hay Mats for Rabbits: Do They Really Make a Difference?

If you have spent any time researching rabbit care, you have probably seen natural grass mats recommended again and again. But does a simple hay mat for rabbits actually make a difference, or is it just another pet accessory you do not really need?

The short answer: yes, they genuinely help. A quality hay mat for rabbits supports dental health, provides essential enrichment, protects delicate feet, and satisfies your bunny’s natural urge to chew. Here is why they have become a must have for rabbit owners across Australia.

Why Rabbits Need to Chew

Rabbits have open rooted teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. Without enough chewing, their teeth can become overgrown, leading to painful dental problems, difficulty eating, and expensive vet visits.

In the wild, rabbits spend hours grazing on fibrous grasses and gnawing on roots, bark, and plant materials. This constant chewing naturally wears down their teeth and keeps them healthy.

Pet rabbits need the same opportunities. Providing appropriate materials like unlimited hay and safe chew toys is essential for maintaining your rabbit’s dental and digestive health (https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-should-i-feed-my-pet-rabbit/).

A hay mat for rabbits offers the perfect combination: a safe, edible surface that encourages natural chewing behaviour while also serving practical purposes in your rabbit’s enclosure.

5 Key Benefits of Hay Mats for Rabbits

1. Dental Health Support

The coarse, fibrous texture of natural grass and hay mats requires rabbits to chew thoroughly. This grinding motion helps wear down continuously growing teeth, preventing overgrowth and the painful spurs that can develop when teeth become misaligned.

While loose hay should always be your rabbit’s primary food source, a hay mat for rabbits provides additional chewing opportunities throughout the day.

2. Mental Stimulation and Enrichment

Rabbits are intelligent animals that need mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. A plain enclosure with just food and water can lead to boredom, stress, and destructive behaviours.

Hay mats encourage natural behaviours like:

• Foraging and exploring
• Digging and scratching
• Chewing and shredding
• Rearranging and tossing

Watching your rabbit methodically deconstruct their mat is a sign of a happy, engaged bunny. The destruction is the point.

3. Foot Protection

Wire cage floors and hard surfaces can cause sore hocks (pododermatitis), a painful condition where the skin on a rabbit’s feet becomes inflamed, ulcerated, or infected.

A hay mat for rabbits provides a soft, natural resting surface that cushions delicate feet. Placing mats in favourite lounging spots helps prevent pressure sores and keeps your rabbit comfortable.

4. Safe, Natural Material

Unlike plastic toys or synthetic materials that can cause dangerous gut blockages if swallowed, quality hay mats are made from 100% natural, digestible materials. Common materials include:

• Seagrass
• Water hyacinth
• Timothy hay
• Natural dried grass

These are all safe for rabbits to nibble, chew, and even eat. You do not need to worry about your bunny ingesting small pieces as they play.

5. Redirects Destructive Chewing

Rabbits will chew. It is not a question of if, but what. Without appropriate outlets, they will turn to carpet, furniture, wallpaper, baseboards, and electrical cords.

Providing hay mats gives your rabbit an acceptable alternative. Many owners find that offering enough safe chewing options dramatically reduces unwanted destruction around the home.

Types of Hay Mats

Not all mats are created equal. Here are the most common types:

Seagrass mats: Tightly woven, durable, and slightly resistant to chewing. These last longer and work well as resting surfaces.

Water hyacinth mats: Softer texture that rabbits love to shred. They are eaten quickly but provide excellent enrichment.

Timothy hay mats: Made from compressed or woven Timothy hay. Highly edible and great for encouraging extra hay consumption.

Grass mats: Woven from natural dried grass. A good balance between durability and chewability.

For the best results, offer a variety of textures. Some rabbits prefer softer mats they can tear apart quickly, while others enjoy working on tougher seagrass over time.

What to Look for in a Quality Hay Mat

When choosing a hay mat for rabbits, check that it is:

100% natural: No plastic, metal staples, glue, or chemical treatments

Untreated and uncoloured: Avoid dyed or varnished products

Appropriately sized: Large enough for your rabbit to sit on comfortably

From a reputable source: Pet specific products are safer than home decor items that may contain harmful substances

Avoid mats held together with wire, string, or synthetic binding that could be chewed off and swallowed.

How to Use Hay Mats in Your Rabbit’s Setup

Get the most from your mats by placing them strategically:

Resting areas: Put mats in corners or spots where your rabbit likes to lounge

Under hay racks: Catches fallen hay and creates a cosy eating area

In litter boxes: Some owners place small mats in litter boxes for extra comfort

Free roam areas: Protect carpets and flooring during playtime

Inside tunnels and hideouts: Adds texture and encourages exploration

You can also hide treats underneath or inside rolled up mats to create foraging opportunities.

How Long Do Hay Mats Last?

That depends entirely on your rabbit. Some bunnies will demolish a mat in a single afternoon. Others will nibble slowly over several weeks.

Both approaches are perfectly normal. A rabbit that shreds their mat quickly is simply enjoying an enriching activity. Budget for regular replacements if your bunny is an enthusiastic chewer.

On average, expect a mat to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your rabbit’s chewing style.

Hay Mats vs Loose Hay: Do You Need Both?

Absolutely. A hay mat for rabbits is a wonderful enrichment tool, but it should never replace unlimited loose hay in your rabbit’s diet.

Loose Timothy or meadow hay should make up around 80% of your rabbit’s daily food intake. It provides essential fibre for digestive health and the primary source of dental wear.

Hay mats are a supplement to this, not a substitute. Think of them as an enrichment toy that happens to also support dental health, rather than a primary food source.

Make Enrichment Part of Daily Life

A simple hay mat for rabbits can transform your bunny’s quality of life. It supports dental health, provides mental stimulation, protects delicate feet, and gives your rabbit a safe outlet for their natural chewing instincts.

At WeLoveMochi, we stock a range of natural, rabbit safe enrichment products:

• Rabbit Toys for chewing, tossing, and foraging
• Rabbit Hideaways & Beds for cosy resting spots
• Rabbit Feeding for hay racks and bowls

Give your bunny the enrichment they deserve. Shop natural rabbit toys at WeLoveMochi today.