Animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus exhibit foraging behaviours that play a crucial role in their survival (when in the wild) and overall well-being.
These small herbivorous species rely on foraging strategies shaped from animals in the wild, to pets in the present day. These are normal behaviours often associated with seasonal or environmental factors.
This article from HayDay explores how these animals forage, their foraging habits, and the human role in supporting their natural instincts.
Shop Now > High-quality hay and forage mixes for small pets.
Key Points on Foraging Pets
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Foraging behaviours are vital for the physical and mental health of your small pets
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Foraging means "to search for wild food" - a diet and behaviour that should be replicated in your homes for domestic pets
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When pets forage for food, they spend more time searching, eat more slowly, and eat more appropriate food, which reduces the chance that they will become overweight or ill.
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Both solitary foraging strategies and group foraging dynamics are important for understanding their animal behaviour.
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Humans can replicate wild food resources and enrich environments with a variety of different foods to support these behaviours.
What is Foraging Behaviour in Small Animals
The foraging process involves locating, obtaining food, and consuming it to meet dietary needs while managing risks like predation, for animals in the wild.
In the wild, foraging behaviour links directly to their survival and reproductive success, with these animals relying on wild food resources like fibrous plants, grazing grass and digging to keep healthy. Foraging behaviour also plays a critical role in:
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Dental health: Constant chewing on fibrous foods helps wear down their ever-growing teeth.
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Gut health: Fibre promotes great digestive health.
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Mental enrichment: Searching for food prevents boredom and stress.
When keeping rabbits or guinea pigs as pets, it is essential to replicate these natural behaviours to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of these animals.
Human Role in Supporting Natural Foraging Behaviour
Providing Enrichment
Simulating natural foraging behaviours for your pets can include:
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Hiding other types of food (such as pellets or leafy greens) within hay or in feeders to encourage exploration.
Mimicking Wild Diets
To replicate wild food resources, ensure:
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Fresh vegetables and herbs for variety.
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Foraging outside for safe plants, branches and leaves for a varied diet
Avoiding Overfeeding
Overfeeding pellets or fruits can reduce your pets desire to partake in natural foraging, leading to obesity and other health problems. Focus on the recommended healthy diet for your pets including hay, limited pellets and leafy greens.
What Forage is Available to Help?
Forage Mixes to Help Enrich Your Small Pet's Diet
At HayDay, we have a range of forage mixes designed in collaboration with our nutritionist Briony to provide healthy and tasty options for mature rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
Made with 100% natural ingredients, these mixes encourage natural foraging behaviour, promote enrichment, and add variety to your pet’s diet.
Options Available:
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Floral Forage: A colourful blend of parsley stalks, raspberry leaves, nettle, dandelion, and cornflowers. High in fibre and perfect for sprinkling on hay.
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Herbal Heroes: Featuring aromatic chamomile, echinacea, raspberry leaves, and more, this mix enhances your pet's enjoyment while supporting their natural instincts.
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Wildflower Wonder: A delightful mix of wildflowers like chamomile and rose petals, along with nutritious alfalfa and parsley stalks.
Key Features:
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Encourages natural foraging behaviour
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100% natural ingredients
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Adds variety and enrichment to your pet’s diet
Use these alongside our premium hay range to encourage your small pets to forage, and in turn eat more.
Click here > Shop all forage mixes.
Other Foraging Strategies to Be Aware Of
Group Foraging
Group foraging, when pets are bonded, enhances food discovery and safety.
For example, in the wild guinea pigs and degus forage in groups to benefit from cooperative behaviours and shared vigilance against predators.
These group dynamics enhance foraging efficiency.
Environmental Influences on Foraging Behaviour
Resource Availability
The availability of wild food resources greatly influences how these animals forage, for example:
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Rabbits graze on grasses and leafy plants.
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Guinea pigs forage on low-lying vegetation.
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Chinchillas consume sparse vegetation adapted to arid environments.
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Degus balance their diet with seeds, bark, and leaves.
Predation Risks
Wild foraging strategies are shaped by the need to avoid predators. Animals adjust their feeding times and locations also, to minimise risk.
Providing lots of hiding spaces for your domestic animals will mimic their protective instinct of their natural habitats.
Optimal Foraging Theory and Its Application
The optimal foraging theory explains how animals forage to maximise their energy intake or nutrient gain while minimising effort and risk. This includes decisions about which food sources to prioritise and when to move to a new foraging areas as resources decline. For example:
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The optimal diet model predicts that animals select foods offering the highest energy return or nutrient gain relative to the time and effort required to obtain and consume them.
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The foraging theory predicts that animals will adjust foraging behaviour based on environmental conditions, such as food scarcity or predation risk.
These principles are evident in the foraging strategies of rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus.
For instance, wild chinchillas optimise their intake by foraging on sparse, nutrient-rich plants, while degus balance between ground-level grazing and climbing shrubs to find seeds and leaves.
Behavioural Ecology and Adaptations for Foraging Success
The behavioural ecology of these animals highlights their remarkable adaptability.
Morphological traits like strong incisors and efficient digestive systems support their foraging habits.
Behavioural plasticity - such as the ability to shift foraging strategies in response to environmental change - further enhances their survival.
For example:
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Degus, as an obligate group foraging mammal, rely on social cooperation to access shared resources.
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Chinchillas optimise their energy intake by consuming nutrient-dense plants adapted to their arid habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is foraging behaviour important for small mammals?
Foraging is essential for physical and mental health, supporting dental maintenance, digestion, and their natural instincts.
How does the optimal foraging theory apply to these animals?
The theory helps explain their ability to balance energy and nutrient intake with effort and risk, optimising their foraging efficiency.
What are some examples of foraging strategies in captivity?
Hiding food, using puzzle feeders, and providing safe and chewable foods replicate natural foraging behaviours.
Conclusion
Foraging behaviours in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus reflect their adaptations over time to diverse environments.
Understanding their foraging strategies providing them with a variety of different foods, whilst presenting them in fun and engaging ways - will stimulate their physical and mental health.
