Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE Pine

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • manicbunny
      Participant
      17 posts Send Private Message

        Here lately i have been using pine in the litter boxes. I know that pine is bad for rats, and mice. having rats for 7+ years i know that a rat has an extremely delicate respiratory system… same goes for the mouse. so it makes perfect since why pine would bother these litter critters. honestly most wood shaving have the potential to effect rats and mice.

        but what about rabbits!? is there any hard core evidence that pine harms rabbits? i wouldnt use cedar bedding, but i dont see much wrong with using pine.

        with other animals like mice and rats, they live in there bedding. the rabbits only have the bedding in their litterboxes. so i wouldnt see it being nearly as big of a problem.

        what do you use for your rabbits?


      • manicbunny
        Participant
        17 posts Send Private Message

          here is an article i just found! interesting
          http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/1155/Pine.html


        • Hilde
          Participant
          31 posts Send Private Message

            Both pine and cedar shavings are are toxic to rabbits.  There have been many cases where they cause problems both in the respiratory system and in the liver.

            If you want to read up on them, here is a good place to start:
            http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#litterwarss
            Here is an exerpt from one of the articles they link to:

            Rabbits And Pine
            In 1989, the House Rabbit Society, which has fostered thousands of rabbits until homes can be found for them, made an accidental discovery (Harriman 8-9). When a young, healthy rabbit died following a routine spay, HRS ran blood work and discovered that the rabbit’s liver enzymes were elevated far above normal. Because there was no obvious reason for this elevation, blood chemistries were run on rabbits in foster homes around California, many of whom turned up with the same enzymes elevated. The only difference noted in the rabbits’ environments was that those with elevated liver enzymes were all using pine shavings in their litter boxes or cage trays; the ones with normal livers were using cat litter.

            In order to determine if the pine shavings were indeed at fault, the shavings were replaced with cat litter and the rabbits’ blood levels were rechecked a month later. Without exception, all the previously abnormal liver enzymes had returned to normal. At the same time, an informal survey was conducted of HRS members whose rabbits had died of liver disease (diagnosed upon autopsy or through blood work). Invariably, either cedar or pine shavings had been used with all of these rabbits.
            (from  http://www.afrma.org/rminfo2a.htm  )

            Please consider using something else than softwood shavings for your rabbit’s litter. There are manu acceptable kinds available, including litter made from recycled newspaper, and wood pellets, similar to the ines used in wood burning stoves. They are often also made of pine, yes, but they are heat treated (cooked) so the poisonous toxins and resins have been removed. Many rabbit owners also just use a layer of newspaper. topped with a layer of hay.
            Also, do stay away from cat litter, it can be dangerous to rabbits!

            From: http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/litter_compare.html:
            Clay cat litter:
            Although inexpensive, clay litter can be dusty and may encourage digging in the litterbox. There are also more absorbent litters on the market. Also, if bunny should ingest this litter, it could be fatal.

            DO NOT USE clumping cat litters with rabbits. This litter clumps when exposed to moisture, and it can’t tell the difference between external and internal moisture. Rabbits tend to nibble on everything, and should they ingest clumping litter, they risk a potentially deadly intestinal blockage.

            This site has a very good evaluation of many different litters.

            Personally we use the wood pellets They are very easy and clean to use, and absorb urine and smell very well. They can also be composted and used in the garden, which we do.


          • manicbunny
            Participant
            17 posts Send Private Message

              the pine i am using now is kiln (sp??) dried.
              i have had great luck with woody pet (horse stall pellet bedding, looks like wood stove pellets) and aspen on top. i guess i will go back to that


            • osprey
              Participant
              2065 posts Send Private Message

                Most of the foster homes in The Rabbit Haven system use either wood stove pellets or horse stall bedding as litter.  My understanding is that the shavings out gas a chemical (phenols maybe?) that is dangerous.  The pellets do not contain this dangerous chemical.

                For my buns I use wood stove pellets if they are available (low supply this winter) or Cat Country.


              • Gravehearted
                Participant
                2428 posts Send Private Message

                  Hazel-mom (wow – great info!_ and Osprey have shared some very helpful advice. I’ll echo that pine shavings are not a good choice as a bunny litter.

              Viewing 5 reply threads
              • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

              Forum DIET & CARE Pine