Litter Box Size

[Sibi]

Hey everyone, starting to figure out the specific things I want to get! I know everyone says that the litter boxes should have high sides, but how high should they be? These are the two I’m looking at: 

http://www.renspets.com/cat-pan-high-back-litter-pan.html
Jumbo: 21″x17″x10.5″ (but this one is only 10.5″ high on one side and slants down to about 5″ on the other)

http://www.renspets.com/petmate-litter-pan.html
Jumbo: 22.5″x17″x7″

Also wondering about litter. I’m going to look into the wood pellets, but does anyone know how long a 60 Litre bag of CareFresh would last in 2 large litter boxes with 2 bunnies?

I’m going to hang a hay rack in each litter box, plus put a bit of hay in the actual box, but should I hang the food dish and water bottle so they’re both in the litter box as well?

[MoveDiagonally]

I think it’s really great that you’re doing so much research/preparation! I wish more people were so thorough. I would go with the cheapest reasonable options at first because from what I’ve read around this forum (and what I’ve learned from my own bunnies) we rarely have the set ups that we start with. A bunny’s preferences and habits will play a large role in what items and products will end up working for you.

Here’s my advice for the questions at hand.

I think either litter box would work out fine. I like the second one better though because I know my bunnies like jumping in their box every which way so the high back on the first would limit them being able to do that (but if I had litter kickers I’d want to try a high backed one but I think screens can be just as effective for that stuff).

I’m not sure about carefresh as I haven’t used it in a long time. I use untreated wood stove pellets as litter and I highly recommend them if your bunnies will use them. They’re so much less expensive then most other litters while still controlling odor. I put a thinish layer (thick enough to soak up pee) and dump the boxes out entirely every other day. I spend about $5-$8 dollars a month on litter.

My bunnies move their food dishes all over throughout the day. Where I put them is never where they stay. So I wouldn’t worry about food bowl placement that much. I don’t think water bottle placement matters so much as long as it’s accessible.

I’m really excited to see your hutch come to fruition. It looks like it’s going to be really awesome.

[Sibi]

Thank you so much, MoveDiagonally! I just want to get everything prepared before I get them because I know several people who have bunnies that live in a tiny cage, eat mostly pellets and don’t get the proper care they need. When I get my bunnies, I want them to be happy, spoiled, healthy and very comfortable! ^_^

I was liking the idea of the second litter box as well. I know a lot of people on here always advise to have at least to exists from any hidey houses or anything you build, so I figured they might want to be able to get into it from either side. And they’re cheaper! 

Where would I get the untreated wood pellets? Is that something I’d get at Home Depot, or a store like that? If I could have litter be less  than $10 a month, I’d be set!

Thanks again for all of your help, can’t wait until I can actually get my buns! : D

[Beka27]

Large cat litterboxes work fine for most bunnies. Not all buns need a high-sided box. This isn’t really something you’re going to know before you get them. A large cat box is less than 10 bucks usually, so I’d go that route first.

Wood stove pellets (WSP) are available at hardware, tractor, and home improvement stores (like Lowes & Home Depot)… BUT… they are seasonal. They are used in the winter for wood stove heating. You *might* be past the time when they’re available. You can’t generally run up to the store each month to buy one bag. I bought 7 bags last month and the store (Lowe’s) only had a total of about 20 bags left for the season.

I’ve been getting WSP for years. Previously, I was buying recycled paper litter and spending $200 a year on litter. I buy several bags every winter, spend about $40-50 for litter for two rabbits, and I store them for the whole year.

I’d recommend you call your local stores TODAY and ask what they have left. If your closest store doesn’t have them, try the next store out. My local store (5 mins away) does not carry them because we’re in the suburbs, but the store that’s about 20 mins “into the country” gets them every winter. It is worth the short drive once a year.

If your store doesn’t have them now, another option is horse stall bedding pellets… BUT… you have to be in an area that will have horse supplies available.

I don’t use Carefresh, so I can’t comment on that. I do know that it’s much more expensive and much less absorbent. IMO, wood pellets are the best option for most people.

[MoveDiagonally]

The WSP I get are made for horses and I get them at the same feed store I buy my hay

@ Beka – $40- $50 a year! Wow, that’s awesome. I’m going to check with some local stores today too. If I can stock up an save money then I’m going that route instead.

[tanlover14]

We use the big bags of CareFresh (60L) – one bag typically lasts us about 2 weeks (with 4 bunnies).

We also use a deal they have on the PetCo website where you buy a bulk of three and they are $15 apiece.

[Sibi]

Found my litter!
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443307078&bmUID=1364875859492
$6 for 40lbs? Such a great find. Thanks for all the help, everyone!

[Beka27]

That’s exactly it! The first year I bought 9 bags because I didn’t want to run out. You’ll figure out after a year how many bags you need to buy. Now I usually buy 7. We have two large cat boxes that get cleaned 2-3 times a week. You only need a very thin layer because they expand when wet. I lay down a couple sections of newspaper first, and then when I clean, I can just peel the paper out and all the sawdust falls into the trash bag.

[Sibi]

This is so great! I was so worried about how much I’d be spending on litter, so this has made things so much easier. Thank you guys so much! 

[BinkyBuster]

I’ve always been curious about that… I might be running to Canadian Tire asap as well! Haha.

Since I got Buster almost a year ago I’ve been using wal-mart brand carefresh (it’s called special kitty – recycled paper.) If you’re looking for it though make sure you get the PAPER ones, because ‘special kitty’ has all sorts of different types of clay litter, etc. One 4.5 kg bag lasts me approx. 2 months (maybe even more).

The second type of litter box has worked for me. I got the biggest size, so there is lots of room to turn / hop in from all sides, and put lots of fresh hay. Just an fyi: I got that EXACT teel type green/blue one from Dollarama. Most dollar stores sell cat products, and they have plenty of litter bins. It costed me $1.50 instead of 8.
If you have a dollar store near you I suggest looking at other toys as well. All of the Dollaramas around me just stocked tunnels and little tents for 1.50 (I think). Much cheaper than a pet store!

[Sibi]

Wow! I definitely need to take a run to the dollar store! Thanks for the tip!

Also, just called my local Canadian Tire, and they’re all out of the Hardwood Pellets and wont be getting anymore in until the fall. I’m going to call Home Depot and Walmart to see if they’ve still got any in stock. Fingers crossed!

[Sibi]

It’s a no go on Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Walmart… Does anyone else have any idea where I might be able to find Wood Stove Pellets?

[Beka27]

Do you have a Lowe’s or Tractor Supply Co.? Did you call a couple of the store locations or just one of each? The other option like I said is pelleted horse stall bedding which is basically the same thing, same price.

[Sibi]

I called around to several places and they were all out. I wont be getting my bunnies for another few months probably, so I can just use something else as litter for a few months, then stock up on the WSP. (:

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