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Forum DIET & CARE Which litter?

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    • Elliriyanna
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        I have my rabbit on Paper litter at the moment and I can already tell its not going to be the best option for us. 

        Are pine litters ok? Its very economical… and small pellets. This is the one I am looking at 

        http://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter/…%3Dfaceted

        I also looked at this so I can scoop the pan as needed … but even natural clumping worries me 

        http://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter/…%3Dfaceted


      • Elliriyanna
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          nvm


        • JackRabbit
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            You can get aspen pelleted litter in that price range from Petco. I don’t use any pine personally, but quite a few others on here use horse stall pellets or wood stove pellets. I know Tractor Supply carries pelleted equine pine cheap. Yesterday’s News is also a good option. I use Aspen Supreme and Carefresh.


          • Elliriyanna
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              I will not shop at petco. I don’t shop anywhere that sells feeder mammals.

              I currently use a generic yesterday’s news.

              I don’t drive and boyfriend hates tractor supply so I am stuck with petsmart or online. Dr’s foster smith is possible since it’s where I plan to order my hay monthly .


            • LBJ10
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                As long as the pine is kiln dried, it’s safe. Pine shavings are what should be avoided.

                The pine pellets you linked to are probably fine. They look similar to Equine Pine, which is something other members use. Not sure about the wheat one. I can’t tell from the picture very well, but it almost looks like a finer “sand-like” texture.


              • Elliriyanna
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                  I have never used pine at all as I am naturally very cautious. I will compare paper and pine when I need more litter.

                  The paper I usually use can cling though and that’s not the best idea.


                • LBJ10
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                    What litter are you using now? I get Yesterday’s News for cats. It’s recycled paper in pellet form.


                  • Veronika
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                      I haven’t been able to find Yesterday’s News anywhere since I moved to my current city. I miss that stuff.

                      I use aspen and Critter Care for my little guy and clean his litterbox once a day. No foul odors and they’re healthier than cedar and pine =)


                    • Elliriyanna
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                        Its a generic yesterdays news.

                        I can’t do shavings. They are a disaster. I stopped using them 2 years ago and I am still finding them in some of my clothes ans things.


                      • tobyluv
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                          I think the pine pellets you linked to would be fine, but not that second link for the wheat litter. You don’t want to use any clumping litter and wheat litter should be avoided anyway.

                          Here is the printout that we have at the Rabbit Sanctuary where I volunteer.

                          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, and Oxbow Eco-Straw (discontinued, but may still be available for a short time).
                          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 or baking soda.
                          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, binkybunny.com, leithpetwerks.com, or various other pet supply catalogs and websites.


                        • Elliriyanna
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                            Thanks I think the pine may be the best option if I do switch off of the paper pellets.

                            I am cleaning up piles of poops and wet spots daily but not cleaning it completely daily so it does still have some smell. I replace the litter taken out with fresh


                          • JackRabbit
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                              I don’t mean to sound stupid, but what are feeder mammals? The only thing I buy at Petco is pellet litter (the only place I can find the aspen pellets) and I order it online when its on sale.


                            • Elliriyanna
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                                mammals sold as feeder, such as mice and rats. I was going to say feeder animals, but I feed my turtles feeder fish and worms. I do understand reptiles need to eat but there are many more humane ways than live feeders. IMO.


                              • {Alli}
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                                  Wait, I know this is out of topic but doesn’t PetSmart sell feeder mammals also? (I try to avoid shopping at pet stores that sell animals at all since they’re most likely from mills lol)


                                • Elliriyanna
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                                    No, they do sell feeder fish, and pet small animals but no feeder small animals.


                                  • LBJ10
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                                      Completely off topic, but…At my old job, we never fed live prey. Everything was ordered from a company that euthanized the mice (and other animals) and shipped them frozen. It was more economical to do it that way. I have heard arguments for and against feeding live prey for a variety of reasons. Alli – I believe Petsmart sells mice and rats as well. They don’t ask questions when people buy them, so I imagine people buy them as feeders. I thought it was pretty much the same at Petco. Last I knew, Petco sold frozen mice. You had to ask for them in the fish department.

                                      Okay, back on topic, it sounds like the pine pellet litter you found is your best bet.


                                    • Elliriyanna
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                                        The mice are $5 each and rats are upwards of $10 … At those prices people are not buying them as feeders lol. Plus they do make you sign a contract.

                                        Petco mice are 1.50 each .. Much more likely to end up as feeders.

                                        Its all about pricing.

                                        I am going to see how long this paper litter lasts to see if its economical to keep using it.


                                      • JackRabbit
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                                          We have a small Petco and a larger Petsmart. The Petco here is geared mainly toward dogs and cats and fish. The Petsmart here has cats (not kittens), birds, fish, hamsters, and occasionally chinchillas and guinea pigs. The only store around here that sells mice is the same store that sells bunnies. I don’t really buy anything there but do go in to make sure they’re still giving the bunnies hay and decent pellets (long story).


                                        • Elliriyanna
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                                            Jackrabbit that sounds a lot like here. Petco is new to the area and they are almost as awful as the local store that sells rabbits and mice and such.

                                            The Petsmart here actually doesn’t even sell cats they have rescue animals come in and display those to adopt


                                          • LBJ10
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                                              Wow, live mice for $1.50? That’s pretty cheap. I guess I haven’t paid much attention recently. When I had a pet snake, we ordered frozen mice online because back then Petco wanted a lot more than that for the frozen mice from the fish department. This was like 10 years ago.

                                              I like the Yesterday’s News. The big bag lasts for a long time. I would imagine the generic kind is similar.


                                            • Elliriyanna
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                                                There are two different kinds of the generic. One is very soft and a bit fluffy but still pellet ed it’s what I used with my rats. It’s been a while since I used the harder pellets. With their little naked feet I didn’t want the poor little ones on hard pellets when they went to get food or a drink.

                                                So it’s been a while since I checked prices and sizes on the hard pellets. With Tenzins coat and us considering a lion head the nice soft pellets would be a nightmare lol


                                              • JackRabbit
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                                                  Elliriyanna — I don’t like that the store sells bunnies, etc., but at least they are feeding them properly now (I threw a hissy fit one day and even offered to buy the hay for them to feed to the bunnies!). We havena nice locally owned store that sells only supplies. They tried to get the aspen pellets for me but they were going to be 3 times as much. Everything else there is reasonably priced.


                                                • LBJ10
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                                                    Oh, I remember the aspen pellets! I had to buy those at the feed store.


                                                  • Elliriyanna
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                                                      We have a locally owned store that sells only supplies too but last time I was in there they didn’t have much. Its odd how similar where you are sounds to where I am lol.


                                                    • {Alli}
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                                                        I also use Yesterday’s News lol there’s one local store that sells all sorts of animals from mills like puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc and I refuse to step foot in there. I might file a complaint or something because all the mammals are kept on newspapers including the puppies and kittens and the bunnies are either in mesh cages or glass cages.


                                                      • LBJ10
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                                                          There is just one puppy store left and they sell puppy mill puppies. =(

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                                                      Forum DIET & CARE Which litter?