Is there such thing as dust-free hay?

[poopy]

Since Hecuba moved in (they both live in my room) there is alot more hay and alot more fur. My allergies are getting pretty bad even though I’m already medicated to the max and have the whole HEPA filter and everything. Is there such thing as hay that’s dust free?

[MooBunnay]

I am allergic to hay as well, and what I use is one of those cat igloos as the litter box for my bunnies, this does WONDERS for keeping the hay from flying in the air. Also, because it is a cat litter box there is a filter that is for keeping the smell from wafting into the room, but also I imagine is trapping all of that hay dust. This also keeps my master burrower Mayberry from burrowing all of her hay onto the floor (now she thinks this wonderful booda dome is her burrow).  ALSO, they come in all different colors so they can match your decor.

http://www.amazon.com/Booda-Dome-Clean-Step-Litter/dp/B000BJ7YY0

[osprey]

That is a great idea, MooBunnay.  Keeping the hay contained should keep the dust contained too.

We have a foster family that recently switched from Timothy hay to Orchard Grass because the Orchard Grass was better for allergies.  Have you tried different kinds of hay?

[poopy]

That is a good idea. I did notice the timothy seems to bother me more. I will try orchard. I also use oat hay which doesn’t seem to be too dusty. The problem is orchard grass is a little harder to come by than timothy.

[osprey]

It must be a regional thing.  I cannot get baled timothy, but I can get orchard grass from multiple sources.  I can get timothy in the little bags at the store.  There is also brome hay, which my guys hated, but maybe yours will like it.

[poopy]

Mine tried brome. They didn’t love it but didn’t hate it. Thanks for the idea MooBunnay I just ordered 2 of these litter boxes:
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=968692
I was tempted to get the hot red color but settled for a more inconspicuous light green. I hope these aren’t too big!

[wendyzski]

I’m also allergic to timothy hay.  I keep it in a rack on the side of the cage (see picture) and use the Roomba regularly to keep the dust under control.

[LillyBear]

hey tell me about that litter pan.. and how your bun likes it… or somthing.. im thinking about getting one

[poopy]

wendy, doesn’t that drop hay all over the place?

[wendyzski]

Poopy – nope – she has to pull it out.  Some drops but it falls into the litter box (where she nibbles it sometimes).  A quick sweep when I clean the box and then set the Roomba to get up the bits off the floor.

Lilly – it’s a Rubbermaid dish tub.  $5 at the hardware store.  It’s what they used at the shelter she came from so I just stuck with it.  It’s big enough to hop into and the sides are high enough to keep most everything inside.   I use Feline Pine wood-based litter and change it out about once a week.

[poopy]

The litterbox came! It’s been alot cleaner. Since the box is rather large, I’m only going to use one and return the other (I had ordered two). They used to have 2 regular litter boxes so they will have to get used to having one.

[BinkyBunny]

CUTE!!  And it’s great they use it.  Some bunnies won’t stay in a box that only has one entrance/exit.    Are they using it as a litterbox or now as a bed?   You may want to hold off sending the other box back just in case they make this a new hide out.

 

 

[poopy]

Ya they use it as a litterbox. The only time Medusa sleeps in her litterbox is if I’m trying to catch her, she will hide out in it because its like her secure base. I’m gonna hold onto the 2nd one for a while. I really like these covered cat litter boxes. It helps so much with hay & poop being kicked out! Plus it has a filter in back which I’m guessing is some sort of ammonia absorber.

[MooBunnay]

aww that little heart is SOOOO cute! i want one for MY bunnies now!

[poopy]

actually i am going to return them because the lid doesnt snap to the base and i found a deeper dished box at target.

[Author]

Messages