Will newspaper suffice?

[PaintedSunsets]

We have recently found out that the store we used to buy our bedding from has closed down, and all the other brands in my town have a type of wood in them that Bambi is allergic to. Will torn apart and crumpled (clean) newspapers with daily clean-out suffice for bedding until I can find a place that sells the right stuff?

[longhairmike]

where are you located? what type of wood was she allergic to? was it shavings of some sort (not reccomended for buns to begin with) or wood stove pellets?
you can pretty much get carefresh anywhere, you only need to use bedding IN the litterbox (or wherever you want them to pee), you can just use blankets for the rest of their area

[LopNessMonster]

The foster home I got Ollie from used a flat layer or two of newspaper covered in a layer of hay. He doesn’t mind. I prefer pelleted litter myself though for absorption but it’s just my own preference.

[PaintedSunsets]

I’m in the Edmonton area, but I can’t get any bedding… and I can’t seem to litter train her again. Her eyes kept watering when she was using the cedar, but we only found out it was cedar after we used it. She was doing fine with the pine, but the store shut down. My mom won’t let me buy the ones with the paper bits or the paper ones… But i might be able to convince her to let me buy it with my own money. Do you think newspaper would be okay by then?

[Beka27]

Pine and cedar shavings (as well as clumping litter, clay litter, corn cob litter) are not safe for rabbits. Paper based litters, ASPEN shavings, and dried pine PELLETS are the only litters available that should be used for rabbits. I’m not sure why you aren’t allowed to buy appropriate litter for your bunny, but your options are very limited.

You can use newspaper if you want, but it does very little for absorption and odor control.

[Deleted User]

I use a layer of newspaper for the bottom of Henry’s litter tray and top it with shredded paper and hay – I’ve been doing this for almost a year now and it works for me. True, it is smellier, but we change his litter tray every day and for that bit of extra work we find it cost effective. Also, we never used any other sort of litter for Henry ever (cause I didn’t know when I bought Henry home and wasn’t a BBer to learn at that time) so he was litter trained using this method, he doesn’t know any better and have never had an issue with his toilet habits. At the end of the day, if you have no litter to use, newspaper is better than nothing at all. My only concern is if your bun will come to the party and want to use it? Good luck PaintedSunsets.

[Elrohwen]

When I volunteered at a rescue we put down a few sheets of newspaper with hay on top in the litter boxes. It was cheap and easy, but not very absorbent. It worked fine since we cleaned boxes every day, but I wouldn’t let it go longer than that.

[PaintedSunsets]

Thanks! I will see about getting some hay when I get some money.

[jerseygirl]

Hay is a priority so try get this as soon as possible. It should be the main part of your rabbits diet. It definitely should help with litter training also. They’ll poop where they eat their hay.

So you line the entire cage with the newspaper? If you do this, your rabbit will probably pee where ever.
If you leave the cage base bare and just put the newspaper (or other litter) in a litterbox with some hay, chances are she’ll start going there. They don’t really need bedding.
Good luck!

[Tessie]

Hay is very important, it is the main part of a bunny’s diet, they should always have some!
I agree with Jerseygirl, just put the litter/bedding where you want them to use as a toilet, not all over.

[Megabunny]

I used to get paper from work and shred it for the litter box and nothing else except the hay so If you use paper or know of someone that’s quite nice and won’t stain their little feet.

[PaintedSunsets]

She tends to hang out in the litter box if that is the only thing with the newspaper…

[Tessie]

They really don’t need bedding all over the cage, only in the litter tray.
It’s hard to litter train them otherwise.

Also, could you buy litter/bedding online?

[PaintedSunsets]

My mom doesn’t like to buy things online, and I will be heading to edmonton soon, where I have been referred to a store that sells needed supplies. I have found a person who sells hay, and I will be talking to them.

[Deleted User]

Good on you PaintedSunsets – and good luck!

[PaintedSunsets]

Thanks!

[Author]

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