Can I use cat litter?

[SamLM5511]

I know some bunny litters are made out of corn cobs, and I found some Natures Miracle brand cat litter that is also made out of corn cobs, it’s just more of a powder (so it clumps better). I thought that could make daily clean up a lot easier, but was wondering if it will be safe for my bunny?

Also, my rabbit is only nine weeks old (so we are in the process of litter training) but he will pee in his little house, in the corner where we keep his hay, and even right next to his litter pan. But he won’t go in his litter pan and instead uses it as a bed. -_- We have tried putting used litter in his litter pan, using different litter than bedding, using the same thing for litter and bedding, and so on. I know he is still in the early learning stages, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

Thanks for any and all input!

[Sarita]

No clumping litter – this can cause a blockage if your rabbit ingests it.

Are you using bedding? If so, take out the bedding and just use a litter box – using both is confusing for rabbits.

[SamLM5511]

Awesome!!! Thank you so much!!! Now I know

[SamLM5511]

Is there a litter/ bedding that you recommend for litter training?

[Linette]

I’ve had varied experience with rabbits and litter.

Some rabbits will eat any litter that is in their box, so you must be careful, but years ago I had a rabbit and we used unscented clay litter and he never cared to eat it so it didn’t matter.

But to be safe, and with so many more litter options than 30 yrs ago I now used one that is pelleted recycled newspaper. If he nibbles a few, no harm.

Rabbits like to choose their own spot. I’ve learned not to fight nature. I let them pick and that’s where the little box goes. they don’t need a ton of litter in their box at a time. I just put a few big scoops in their pee corner and then lots of hay in the other half for them to chew on. They often sleep in their litter box, it’s just a rabbit thing.

Since I am not using a ton of litter, it’s not really costly to change it every couple of days.

I’ve heard mixed issues on the corn cob litter, if the rabbit eats a lot of it it can cause tummy troubles, but that varies from rabbit to rabbit and whether or not they eat it.

[SamLM5511]

Thanks for all the great input! When we first got him we did that whole observe for 24 hrs thing and he seemed to prefer to pee in this one particular corner. So I scooped some used litter into the litter pan and put it in that corner, but now he’ll pee just about anywhere else, but his litter box.

[SamLM5511]

I think I’m going to try what Sarita said and just put bedding/litter in the litter pan instead of the entire enclosure. But I still like the ideas of him having something cushy to snuggle on. Do you think he would pee on a grass mat?

[LBJ10]

You can use Yesterday’s News. That’s a cat litter. Just get the unscented kind.

[balakai]

Our bunny pees on grass mats. The only thing I can put in her pen that she won’t pee on are the carpet tiles that are really low pile with a very stiff rubber/plastic backing–those are on the shelf I built for her on one end of the pen.

[NuggetBuns]

Can you upload a picture so we can get a better sense of what your current setup looks like? 

I use Yesterday’s News (unscented) too for litter in the litterbox. Adding hay on one side of the box should encourage your bunny to eat/poop in the litterbox. We used to use Carefresh bedding in the cage for our baby bun before he was littertrained, it’s pretty absorbent and is soft to lay/sleep on. It’s not cheap though, so I’d stop using it once your bunny is littertrained. Yes, there’s a possibility that he’ll pee on the grass mat if he’s peeing everywhere else  

[SamLM5511]

I can’t seem to post pictures, all my files are too big. But I will try to downsize some and post them later. I just got home to find that he finally peed in the litter pan! Woop woop!! But there is still pee in other places. I currently have Kaytee clean and cozy as bedding throughout the cage and Kaytee critter litter in the litter pan. What do you guys think? Should I take out the bedding or just see how it goes?

[tobyluv]

This is the printout that we hand out at the Rabbit Sanctuary where I volunteer. It includes types and brands of litter to use, and types not to use.

What To Use In Your Rabbit’s Litter Box

Remember that rabbits may sit in their litter boxes for extended periods, and that they nibble on everything, so it’s important to choose the right litter.
Do not use cedar or pine shavings. These contain dangerous aromatic oils that have been found to cause liver damage and respiratory problems. Don’t use CatWorks, a litter made from oat hulls, which when ingested has caused fatal zinc poisoning. Swheat Scoop Litter should not be used since rabbits will often ingest it. It is comprised of wheat, is very high in carbohydrates, and can cause obesity, excessive cecal production, diarrhea and other health issues. Don’t use clay litter. The dust causes respiratory problems, and if ingested, it is harmful to the digestive tract. Don’t use any clumping litters–if nibbled on, they are likely to cause obstructions in the intestinal tract. Also avoid corn cob litter. If eaten, it can cause a lethal intestinal blockage.
Recommended litters:
1. Newspaper, shredded or cut-up. It’s inexpensive and readily available, but it offers no odor control. If the newspaper is cut into larger pieces, urine may puddle at first until it is absorbed into the paper, which could cause your rabbit to have damp feet. It can be composted.
2. Paper pulp litter. It has low dust, good absorbency, and no hazards, though it also offers little odor control. It can be flushed or composted. Brands include Carefresh, Yesterday’s News, Cellu-Dri, and Eco Fresh.
3. Oat, alfalfa and wheat straw based pellets. Low dust, good absorbency, and no hazards, although they can cause bloating if too much is ingested. They can be flushed or composted. Brands include Critter Country, Cat Country, Hartz Straw Pellet, and Oxbow Eco-Straw.
4. Compressed sawdust (pine) pellets. Unlike pine shavings, these are safe, since they have no dangerous aromatic oils. They are economical, highly absorbent, and have good odor control. They may be composted. Brands include All Pet Pine, Feline Pine and Exquisicat.
5. Aspen bark, pellets or shredded. Highly absorbent, with good odor control. Pellets are economical , because it only takes a thin layer in the litter box. They may be composted. These larger pellets are good for long haired rabbits, since they don’t get stuck in their fur as easily as the small particle litters. Brands include Aspen Fresh, Gentle Touch and Aspen Supreme.
6. Straw or hay. Straw can be dusty and is not very absorbent, but has no hazards, unless it becomes moldy. Any of the grass hays can be used. Be sure to clean frequently, as your rabbit will also be eating the hay. It may be composted.
7. Wood stove pellets. These are compressed pine or hardwood pellets. Make sure that the pellets are plain and that they don’t contain accelerants. These are very economical. They come in large bags and are inexpensive. They can be found in home supply or tractor supply stores.
8. Horse stall pellets. They are compressed sawdust (pine), also very economical. Found in feed stores, home supply stores, or tractor supply stores. One brand is Equine Pine.

If you change to a new litter, your rabbit may hesitate to use it. Mix some of the new with the old, or put some of the dirty litter into the new litter. Daily cleaning of the dirty areas is best. Regularly dump out the whole contents of the box, and thoroughly clean with an organic cleaner or a natural cleaner, such as vinegar.
Many of these litters are available in pet supply stores, grocery stores, or discount stores. Litter, food and other rabbit supplies can be ordered online from drsfostersmith.com, wag.com, bunnybytes.com, petfooddirect.com, or various other pet supply catalogs and websites.

[SamLM5511]

Wow! Thanks so much, that was super helpful!!

[LBJ10]

If you hope to litter train him, it would be best to remove any bedding from the bottom of the cage. Having all that soft stuff in there is just confusing to him. He will think everything is the toilet.

[SamLM5511]

Ok, I have removed the bedding and put some hay in the edge of the litter pan. What a phenomenal difference!! He still poops a little in the cage, but in less than a day he is peeing just in his litter pan!! For now I am using up what we already had for litter. But I am trying to decide between a few litters for our ‘permanent’ litter. What do you guys know about coconut based litter?

[Dr. Doolittle]

We are using Yesterday’s News for our two. I like it because of the composting factor. I just dump the entire tray contents (litter, hay, poops and pee) into our compost pile. Just thought I’d add my two sense.

Glad you are already seeing improvement in his litter habits!

[SamLM5511]

Just am update: I decided to go with Yesterday’s News cat litter and have mixed it with his old litter until we run out of the old litter. I am somewhat worried that using this litter may cause there to be more of a problem with smell (since it doesn’t have any sort of odor blocker). But I guess that’s just a good incentive to keep it clean ? Petey seems to do be doing a lot better using the litter box! Thanks so much to everyone for all of your input!!! ??? I greatly appreciate it.

[Stickerbunny]

If the Yesterdays News doesn’t hold the smell off as well as you’d like, you can try Feline Pine (or wood stove pellets, same thing) – it is much better at odor blocking than the paper and is safe.

[Author]

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