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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Litter/bedding options

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    • Deleted User
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        My next door neighbor gave us a little bunny that was caught from the wild aboit a month ago. I’m taking the bunny today to the veterinarian. I was curious if I could shred old newspaper,mail,random papers to use as my bunnies litter or bedding instead of buying the pine shavings or the paper bedding from the pet store in order to save money. If not buying the bedding is not an issue I was just curious is if there was a way to save any kind of money by using shredded papers from home instead. Kinda like recycling. 🙂


      • tobyluv
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          Shredded newspaper can be used in a rabbit’s litter box. It will not offer much odor control, though. You should only have litter in their box and not all over their cage. Pine or cedar shavings should not be used. The most economical litter is wood stove pellets (plain with no acccelerants) or horse stall pellets. These can be bought at home stores or hardware stores or Tractor Supply. They come in very large bags for a low price.

          Here is a fact sheet on litter 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.
          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.


        • jerseygirl
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            Welcome : )

            You can use newspaper. Just be sure to change it often. Also, it’s not great for odour control… And some bunnies like to tear it up and make a mess.

            If you do opt for shavings, avoid pine and cedar. These are not good for a rabbits health.
            A lot of people find wood pellets affordable and good absorbancy and odour control. You can use wood stove pellets or the pelleted horse bedding.
            You only need a thin layer.
            Some of these are made from pine but they are not harmful like shavings or chips.

            You needn’t worry about bedding. Just some litter in a tray and hopefully your rabbit will toilet only there!


          • jerseygirl
            Moderator
            22338 posts Send Private Message

              Oops. I posted similar time to tobyluv. Super informative tobyluv!
              Sorry about my repeated info Jessica.

              I will add, pop hay on top of whatever litter you do choose and your rabbit will mainly toilet there. You can also put hay rack above the litter tray if you prefer.


            • Bam
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              16838 posts Send Private Message

                I have nothing to add except that when litter-training a bunny, you put a few poops and preferably a piece of paper etc that has pee on it, in the litter-box. The bunny generally gets the point. Sometimes bunnies insist on chosing the place where he/she likes to go to the toilet, in those cases, it will be best if you put the litterbox in that spot.

                I used shredded newspaper for my first bunny for quite a while, but then I switched to wood stove pellets for simplicity’s sake.

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            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Litter/bedding options