Here is what works for us. My husband, Rick bought a small (about 4 inch diameter) bowl, which he attached to the side of Trixie's cage with a metal clip. We then cut the hay into small pieces..easier for her to handle, and except for getting hay all over her cage, very little of it gets out onto the floor. Trixie sits right on the edge of the bowl to eat. We put Timothy into the bowl, and also give her alfalfa cubes. I put one in her cage, qand always keep a couple of the cubes in her play room.