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Top 5 Fortified Forage Mixes for Small Herbivores in Canada (2025) — Veterinarian-Reviewed Picks and How to Choose the Right Enriched Hay Blend

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Fortified forage mixes are hay-based blends enhanced with vitamins, minerals, fibers, or probiotics to support digestion, immune function, and overall vitality in small herbivores. For Canadian pet owners, these mixes offer targeted nutritional support alongside regular hay, helping address seasonal shortages in fresh forage, busy urban lifestyles, and species-specific needs like vitamin C for guinea pigs. Buyers increasingly prefer products with transparent ingredient sourcing, natural preservatives, and clear feeding guidelines; they also look for mixes that complement high-quality timothy or orchard hay rather than replace it. Fortified mixes appeal to owners seeking preventive care, improved stool consistency, and easier management of sensitive digestive systems while maintaining forage-driven feeding habits.

Quick Menu

1. Best Organic Fortified Forage

2. Best High-Fiber Timothy Fortified

3. Best Botanical-Enriched Forage

4. Best Budget Timothy Fortified

5. Best Canadian-Made Fortified Mix

1
BEST ORGANIC FORTIFIED FORAGE

Oxbow Organic Bounty Adult Rabbit Food

Oxbow Organic Bounty Adult Rabbit Food

Oxbow Organic Bounty holds a best-in-class position for fortified forage mixes thanks to its certified-organic forage blend and a formulation designed in consultation with small herbivore nutritionists; it delivers premium, wide-spectrum nutrients and probiotics that justify a higher price for owners prioritizing ingredient traceability. Compared with the other products on this list, Oxbow emphasizes organic sourcing and research-backed nutrient balance, making it the top choice for owners who want clinical-quality fortification and are willing to pay a premium for sustainability and vet endorsement.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Organic hay bliss

  • High-fiber crunch

  • Organic hay bliss

  • High-fiber crunch

Review Summary

88%

"Generally praised for high-quality organic ingredients and good pellet consistency; owners like its digestibility and overall nutrition though many note the premium price. Rabbits typically accept it well and it’s favored by those seeking organic options."

  • Garden-fresh aroma

  • Made with certified organic timothy and organic botanicals to reduce pesticide exposure

  • Garden-fresh aroma

  • Made with certified organic timothy and organic botanicals to reduce pesticide exposure

Increased Safety & Security

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Oxbow Organic Bounty holds a best-in-class position for fortified forage mixes thanks to its certified-organic forage blend and a formulation designed in consultation with small herbivore nutritionists; it delivers premium, wide-spectrum nutrients and probiotics that justify a higher price for owners prioritizing ingredient traceability. Compared with the other products on this list, Oxbow emphasizes organic sourcing and research-backed nutrient balance, making it the top choice for owners who want clinical-quality fortification and are willing to pay a premium for sustainability and vet endorsement.

  • Organic hay bliss

  • High-fiber crunch

  • Garden-fresh aroma

  • Made with certified organic timothy and organic botanicals to reduce pesticide exposure

  • High-fiber forage base fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for adult rabbits

  • Organic hay bliss

  • High-fiber crunch

  • Garden-fresh aroma

  • Made with certified organic timothy and organic botanicals to reduce pesticide exposure

  • High-fiber forage base fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for adult rabbits

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$17-30 CAD

2
BEST HIGH-FIBER TIMOTHY FORTIFIED

Small Pet Select Fortified Food for Rabbits

Small Pet Select Fortified Food for Rabbits

Small Pet Select is the market leader for value-oriented fortified forage mixes, offering large-format, high-fiber timothy blends with added vitamins and minerals at a competitive price per pound, which makes it attractive for multi-pet households and breeders. While it doesn't position itself as an organic premium like Oxbow, its cost-efficiency and straightforward fortification deliver strong technical value for everyday feeding compared with the botanical complexity of some competitors.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • Protein-balanced bites

  • Mineral-packed nuggets

  • Protein-balanced bites

  • Mineral-packed nuggets

Review Summary

85%

"Well-regarded for fresh ingredients and palatability, with many owners reporting improved coat and digestion; a few mention cost and occasional shipping/packaging issues. Considered a top choice for those wanting fortified, timothy-based nutrition."

  • Taste-tested favorite

  • Uses premium USA-grown timothy as the primary ingredient for optimal fiber

  • Taste-tested favorite

  • Uses premium USA-grown timothy as the primary ingredient for optimal fiber

Recreational Enjoyment

Increased Safety & Security

Small Pet Select is the market leader for value-oriented fortified forage mixes, offering large-format, high-fiber timothy blends with added vitamins and minerals at a competitive price per pound, which makes it attractive for multi-pet households and breeders. While it doesn't position itself as an organic premium like Oxbow, its cost-efficiency and straightforward fortification deliver strong technical value for everyday feeding compared with the botanical complexity of some competitors.

  • Protein-balanced bites

  • Mineral-packed nuggets

  • Taste-tested favorite

  • Uses premium USA-grown timothy as the primary ingredient for optimal fiber

  • Fortified with vitamins and minerals tailored for adult rabbit maintenance

  • Protein-balanced bites

  • Mineral-packed nuggets

  • Taste-tested favorite

  • Uses premium USA-grown timothy as the primary ingredient for optimal fiber

  • Fortified with vitamins and minerals tailored for adult rabbit maintenance

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$25-45 CAD

3
BEST BOTANICAL-ENRICHED FORAGE

Living World Green Botanicals Adult Rabbit Food

Living World Green
🏠 Local Product

Living World Green Botanicals stands out for integrating herbaceous botanicals and functional plant extracts into a fortified forage mix, providing extra palatability and subtle digestive support that complements traditional timothy-based formulas. Compared to the bulk-focused Small Pet Select or the organic-led Oxbow, Living World offers a mid-priced, ingredient-differentiated option that appeals to owners seeking botanical diversity and a distinctive technical approach to fortification.

3.6
★★★☆☆
  • Herbal bouquet crunch

  • Leafy-vitamin boost

  • Herbal bouquet crunch

  • Leafy-vitamin boost

Review Summary

70%

"Mixed feedback: some owners appreciate the botanical variety and added vitamins, but others report picky eating, extra treats/vegetables in the mix, or loose stools. Seen as a mid-range option with inconsistent acceptance across rabbits."

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Timothy-based mix blended with natural botanicals and herbs for variety

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Timothy-based mix blended with natural botanicals and herbs for variety

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Living World Green Botanicals stands out for integrating herbaceous botanicals and functional plant extracts into a fortified forage mix, providing extra palatability and subtle digestive support that complements traditional timothy-based formulas. Compared to the bulk-focused Small Pet Select or the organic-led Oxbow, Living World offers a mid-priced, ingredient-differentiated option that appeals to owners seeking botanical diversity and a distinctive technical approach to fortification.

  • Herbal bouquet crunch

  • Leafy-vitamin boost

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Timothy-based mix blended with natural botanicals and herbs for variety

  • Formulated with added vitamins to support overall health and vitality

  • Herbal bouquet crunch

  • Leafy-vitamin boost

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Timothy-based mix blended with natural botanicals and herbs for variety

  • Formulated with added vitamins to support overall health and vitality

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From 27.97$
4
BEST BUDGET TIMOTHY FORTIFIED

Martin Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food

SILVERLINE

Martin Little Friends Timothy is a strong budget-friendly option for fortified forage, emphasizing high-quality timothy hay and straightforward fortification suitable for owners focused on core fiber needs without premium bells and whistles. In contrast to more heavily fortified or botanical blends on this list, Martin’s main advantage is affordability and consistent UK-sourced forage, making it a practical choice for routine feeding where cost-effectiveness is the priority.

3.9
★★★☆☆
  • Pure timothy goodness

  • Soft-stem texture

  • Pure timothy goodness

  • Soft-stem texture

Review Summary

75%

"Generally liked for its timothy content and affordability; many owners find it acceptable for routine feeding but note occasional dustiness or variability in pellet uniformity. Good value for those preferring timothy-forward fortified formulas."

  • Old-school meadow

  • Affordable timothy-focused adult formula providing essential fiber

  • Old-school meadow

  • Affordable timothy-focused adult formula providing essential fiber

Recreational Enjoyment

Increased Safety & Security

Martin Little Friends Timothy is a strong budget-friendly option for fortified forage, emphasizing high-quality timothy hay and straightforward fortification suitable for owners focused on core fiber needs without premium bells and whistles. In contrast to more heavily fortified or botanical blends on this list, Martin’s main advantage is affordability and consistent UK-sourced forage, making it a practical choice for routine feeding where cost-effectiveness is the priority.

  • Pure timothy goodness

  • Soft-stem texture

  • Old-school meadow

  • Affordable timothy-focused adult formula providing essential fiber

  • Fortified with basic vitamins and minerals to meet adult maintenance needs

  • Pure timothy goodness

  • Soft-stem texture

  • Old-school meadow

  • Affordable timothy-focused adult formula providing essential fiber

  • Fortified with basic vitamins and minerals to meet adult maintenance needs

Order Now
From 27.49$
5
BEST CANADIAN-MADE FORTIFIED MIX

Sherwood Pet Health Adult Rabbit Food

Sherwood Pet Health Adult Rabbit Food

Sherwood Pet Health offers a balanced fortified forage mix that combines UK-sourced timothy and meadow grasses with targeted vitamin and mineral additions, positioning it between premium and budget segments for small herbivore owners seeking reliable daily nutrition. Unlike the bulk economics of Small Pet Select or the organic premium of Oxbow, Sherwood’s technical advantage is its emphasis on traceable local ingredients and small-batch quality control, which appeals to owners wanting a middle-ground option for fortified forage.

3.4
★★★☆☆
  • Vet-formulated blend

  • Immune-support mix

  • Vet-formulated blend

  • Immune-support mix

Review Summary

65%

"Reviews are mixed to slightly negative—some owners report their rabbits eat it fine and it’s budget-friendly, while others report picky refusal or minor digestive upset. Considered a lower-cost fortified option with variable results."

  • Palate-pleasing wink

  • Formulated and distributed in Canada with timothy and balanced nutrients

  • Palate-pleasing wink

  • Formulated and distributed in Canada with timothy and balanced nutrients

Increased Safety & Security

Recreational Enjoyment

Sherwood Pet Health offers a balanced fortified forage mix that combines UK-sourced timothy and meadow grasses with targeted vitamin and mineral additions, positioning it between premium and budget segments for small herbivore owners seeking reliable daily nutrition. Unlike the bulk economics of Small Pet Select or the organic premium of Oxbow, Sherwood’s technical advantage is its emphasis on traceable local ingredients and small-batch quality control, which appeals to owners wanting a middle-ground option for fortified forage.

  • Vet-formulated blend

  • Immune-support mix

  • Palate-pleasing wink

  • Formulated and distributed in Canada with timothy and balanced nutrients

  • Designed with a sensible calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for adult rabbits

  • Vet-formulated blend

  • Immune-support mix

  • Palate-pleasing wink

  • Formulated and distributed in Canada with timothy and balanced nutrients

  • Designed with a sensible calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for adult rabbits

Order Now

$14-28 CAD

What the Research Says — Beginner-Friendly Summary of Benefits

Peer-reviewed veterinary nutrition and animal microbiome research supports several benefits of fortified forage approaches when used correctly with plain hay. Studies emphasize the central role of fiber in maintaining hindgut fermentation, the importance of species-appropriate vitamins and mineral balance, and the potential of targeted prebiotics and probiotics to stabilize gut flora after stress or medication. Evidence also highlights that fortified mixes are most effective as supplements to, not replacements for, plain high-quality hay.

High-fiber forage supports healthy hindgut fermentation: research in veterinary nutrition journals shows that consistent fiber intake preserves gut motility and reduces the risk of gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits and similar species.

Probiotics and prebiotics can aid microbial balance: controlled studies indicate targeted probiotic strains may help restore gut flora after antibiotic use or stress, improving stool consistency and appetite recovery.

Vitamin and mineral fortification prevents deficiencies: clinical guidance stresses species-specific needs, such as vitamin C supplementation for guinea pigs, and balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratios for dental and bone health.

Complement not substitute: trials and veterinary recommendations consistently show fortified mixes work best alongside unlimited timothy or other appropriate hays rather than as the only forage source.

Product transparency matters: research and consumer surveys point to better outcomes when ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and feeding instructions are clearly provided by the manufacturer.

In Canada, fortified forage mixes provide a practical way to support digestion and immune health for rabbits and other small herbivores when paired with quality hay. The five products reviewed here — Oxbow Organic Bounty Adult Rabbit Food, Small Pet Select Fortified Food for Rabbits, Living World Green Botanicals Adult Rabbit Food, Martin Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food, and Sherwood Pet Health Adult Rabbit Food — each bring a different mix of fortification, ingredient sourcing, and feeding focus. For most owners seeking an evidence-aligned, transparent supplement that balances organic ingredients and nutrient support, Oxbow Organic Bounty Adult Rabbit Food stands out as the best single choice on this list. I hope you found what you were looking for — use the search to refine by species, ingredient preferences, or to expand into probiotics-only or vitamin-enriched options.

Discover More
  • Timothy Hay for Rabbits and Small Herbivores
  • Orchard Grass Hay for Small Herbivores
  • Alfalfa Hay for Young Small Herbivores
  • Mixed Forage Blends for Small Herbivores
  • Dust Reduced Hay for Small Herbivores
  • Hay Pellets for Small Herbivores

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