Is it okay for my rabbit to eat wood pellets once a while?

[blackfang]

Every time, I replaced dirty litter for new litter. My rabbit hoped in litter box and ate some of wood pellets. Probably from 3 to 7 pieces every two days. ( I replace litter every two days)

She did that since like in April or so.

 

[Stickerbunny]

Mmm, I wouldn’t want her eating that many pellets. A few nibbles every now and then won’t hurt them, but ingesting too much can risk a blockage. You can get a litter screen to prevent her getting to the litter, so she can’t eat it.

[blackfang]

I had her for over a year. She never had a blockage. She love to eat hay all the time.

[mocha200]

She might not have had one yet, but their is still a chance she could get one. Also, even if she didn’t get a blockage it still isn’t good for her. I would get a litter screen as stickerbunny suggested ( they sell them on this website) or change to a different kind of litter.

[blackfang]

I know it is still a chance that she could get one.

My litter pan is huge puppy litter pan. The litter screen from binkybunny is too small for my pan. Is there a way that I can make or cut the screen from home depot and place on my dog litter pan. (I have no idea what material I can buy)

[bunnyfriend]

Yeah there is a way, I’m not sure what it’s called (I know, I’m so helpful ;P) but it’s like a plastic grid. Hmm I saw it on a post somewhere here. Or there’s a metal grid type. Someone else will definitely know what it’s called haha

edit: I’ll try to find the thread

[hope4peace]

an egg crate style lighting diffuser would be a chep and easy option. you can find them at home improvement stores. I got a 2×4 ft peice for like $7 at home depot.

 

[RabbitPam]

Actually, I’d be careful with that type of screen. Little bunny toenails can get caught very easily in a grid like that and it could do some serious damage.

I think your easiest change would be to a different type of litter and see if she eats it or tolerates it without chewing. Try Yesterdays News or Carefresh.

You could also get a very cheap litter pan that’s smaller, (cat ones at Target are about $6) and see if she will use a pan that isn’t so big. How big is your bunny? She may be trained enough to do her business in a more limited space, which would free up the rest of the habitat area. Then you could try a screen that fits. Or just order one of the litter pans online that come with a matching screen.

Also, get her some chew toys to munch instead, so she may lose interest in the litter with a tasty option in her house. Try leaving a willow ring in her litter pan and encourage her to taste that when you clean it. Willow is digestable and acts like hay in their system – it’s good fibre.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

RabbitPam, how is that grid any different than the litter screens that BB sell?

ETA, how do you know she’s injesting 2-7 every 2 days? That seems pretty descript.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I would just switch litters. Those pellets really expand with water and could be building up, or dehyrading bunny. Chronic dehyrdration comes with issues, as well a blockage could certianly be on the horizon. While a screen might work I think perhaps finding a munch friendly litter may be a better idea.

In addition, what does your bunny have to chew on? Try to get a hold of some balsa or apple wood bunny safe chews-perhaps your bunny would just really like to chew up some wood.

[blackfang]

Sorry for delay respond. My life was busy.

hope4peace: I think its too big. Romeo is a jumper rabbit. He broke his nail from “climbing” the wall of NIC grinds that block the heating thing on the wall.

RabbitPam: I’m not going to change to Yesterday News and Carefresh because they are so freaking expensive and rip off price. I’m okay with wood stove pellets.
I wish I can provide her toys to chew but she not interested in ANY toys. No cardboard, twigs, hay mats, willow balls, and etc. NOTHING She just like to eat, sleep, and hop around.

Sam and Lady’s human: I watched her in pet room for like 18hrs for about a week while I was surfing websites, doing homework, and playing with them. That’s how I know

Kohannandkahula: Oh sorry I forgot to add something, she will not eat pellets with urine on it or whatever liquid on pellets. She will eat some after I replaced new litter. If poops are taking over then she won’t eat until I replace litter.
Belle isn’t interested in wood….. except wood pellets..

 

EDIT: forgot to add something. I cannot get a smaller litter. It’s hard to explain becaues it is related to the way the setting of hay rack design connect with litter box. Also litter box should be big enough for two rabbits..

 

All I’m asking is what’s the material that can cover big litter pan. Not with big holes.

[BinkyBunny]

I am not sure what would be harmful about eating a about 15 wood pellets in a weeks time. (as long as they don’t have accelerant and the wood is made of pine)   I haven’t used wood stove pellets in a long time, but is there something harmful in them that a rabbit should not have if it’s just small consumption?   Pine is okay to chew and eat in general, and yesterday’s news is made from paper — but  paper is made from wood —So I guess I am not seeing what the issue is with eating that little. I mean wood in general expands with moisture— but I just remember the wood stove pelles turning into saw dust.   I know I must be missing something due to the fact I haven’t used wood stove pellets in so long — is there a chemical within the wood stove pellets that would cause more expansion than wood would normally expand when eaten?  

From just googling I found this: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-…litter.htm   Which has Dana Krempels is saying to use organic wood stove pellets (because the bunny was eating clay litter which can dehydrate), not sure why she would recommend wood stove if they too would be considered dangerous if consumed.   This does warn about chewing if you don’t know what wood the pellets are made from http://3bunnies.org/wood_pellets.htm

But if you don’t want to even chance it, then you can get hardware cloth, but the problem with that is is can be REALLY sharp on the edges. (plus you want to make sure it is galvanized so it doesn’t rust). You have to cut, then sand, and find something to coat it with, then coat again.

There are cat boxes that have plastic screens — but I can’t remember the brand. There are similar plastic grids to what you are talking about that another member posted that has smaller holes — you just may have to go to home depot or similar hardware store and explore. Plastic will hold scent and bacteria though, so I prefer metal for sanitary reasons.   As long as the metal is more finally netted and you put just a bit of hay over it, there shouldn’t be a problem with foot issues.  (though some bunnies lounge for long periods of time in their box, most house bunnies don’t  – it’s not the same as being in a cage with a wire floor all day)

[tobyluv]

One of my rabbits is a big digger at times and I’ve thought of getting this litter box that I saw at petco.com http://www.petco.com/product/103817/Lift-n-Sift-Cat-Litter-Pan.aspx?CoreCat=LookAhead. It consists of 2 litter pans and a sifter. If you read the reviews, you will see some from people with rabbits, and they like it. They don’t use it as intended, with both pans, but just use one pan with the sifter on top. The size is 15.25″ x 18.5″, if that is big enough for you. Since I’ve never used it, I can’t say how well it works, but it might be worth a try.

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