I’ve not tried it but when I helped out at one rescue they always had a lady order it for her guinea pigs. I think it’s quite pricey for the amount you get.

It’s around $13 for 20 pounds.

There’s another “EcoStraw” made in Ontario. It’s market as pelleted bedding for horses but is same thing by the looks.
http://www.angelfire.com/on3/TrueCo…Straw.html

What i like about these type of bedding/litter is it could be eaten will no ill effects. (I hope!)

I’ve been reading about Vermiculite. It’s a mineral product. Heat treated mica that expands into a different form called vermiculite. It’s used in gardening a lot. But I’m seeing it sold as litter and animal bedding. It’s main claim is it absorbs 20 times it’s weight in water. BUT is also is super light which makes absorbing “20 times it’s own weight” sound less impressive.

It is supposed to be safe but I’d be VERY wary about rabbits eating it. Especially if it absorbed water in their gut. If I come across it I might give it a go but only in a grated litter box so they can’t get to it.

Some other benefits are it can be out in the garden after. Like a soil conditioner that can hold water.

It looks interesting.. may need to try it sometime.

Posted By jerseygirl on 09/01/2010 11:11 PM
I’ve been reading about Vermiculite. It’s a mineral product. Heat treated mica that expands into a different form called vermiculite. It’s used in gardening a lot. But I’m seeing it sold as litter and animal bedding. It’s main claim is it absorbs 20 times it’s weight in water. BUT is also is super light which makes absorbing “20 times it’s own weight” sound less impressive.

It is supposed to be safe but I’d be VERY wary about rabbits eating it. Especially if it absorbed water in their gut. If I come across it I might give it a go but only in a grated litter box so they can’t get to it.

Some other benefits are it can be out in the garden after. Like a soil conditioner that can hold water.

Isn’t that true for any litter that absorbes water? like wood stove pellets or YN?

It’s a pelleted litter.

but i am saying about the absorb thing. if that litter might absorb the water in there stomach why wouldn’t wood stove pellets if they both soak up water?

oh i see. thanks!

Good question though Mocha.

Yep, wood and paper is plant fibre and rabbits are designed to be able to handle plant fibre. For the record, I was just speculating about the vermculite. If a rabbit were to get a taste for it I really don’t know if they could pass it or not. Better safe then soryy right?! I’ve not actually seen this stuff in person but I get the impression it’s sort of spongy.

Petzy, could you get a free sample of any pelleted straw or hay product?

I used Eco Straw for a while, and liked it, but stopped using it for a couple of reasons. It’s expensive–it has to be ordered and the cost of the bags coupled with shipping costs made for a very expensive product. The second reason was that one of my rabbits liked to eat it. I know that it is considered a safe litter to ingest, and I wasn’t worried so much about it for that reason, but it was because I was afraid he was filling up on it and not eating as much hay as a result. Since I limit food pellets, it seemed he was using the Eco Straw as a substitute.

Interesting.

I know of a site that just charges a flat fee.. of 5.99 for shipping.