eco-straw litter

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This topic has 16sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 8 months ago by LoveChaCha.

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- 09/01/2010 at 2:05 PM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  Oxbow makes a litter called ‘eco-straw’ . Has anyne tried it?
  
  http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/…E.vipa-01a
- 09/01/2010 at 2:12 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  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.
- 09/01/2010 at 2:14 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  It’s around $13 for 20 pounds.
- 09/01/2010 at 8:04 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  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!)
- 09/01/2010 at 11:11 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  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.
- 09/01/2010 at 11:25 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  It looks interesting.. may need to try it sometime.
- 09/02/2010 at 7:52 AM
  mocha200
  Participant
  4486 posts
  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?
- 09/02/2010 at 8:03 AM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  I am not shopping for litter. I can’t justify spending money on something I can make for free, but the eco-straw looked so tempting. I just wanted to see what it’s like… I wonder if Oxbow has samples? Well, probably not in Canada… ugh
- 09/02/2010 at 8:04 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  It’s a pelleted litter.
- 09/02/2010 at 8:06 AM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  Posted By mocha200 on 09/02/2010 07:52 AM
  
  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?
  
  Jersey’s litter here is a mineral product and those aren’t considered safe to ingest. They should only be used under a grate. Wood stove pellets are just wood (unless you buy the wrong ones with chemicals added) and kiln-dried wood is OK for rabbits even to nibble in limited amounts. ~
- 09/02/2010 at 8:13 AM
  mocha200
  Participant
  4486 posts
  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?
- 09/02/2010 at 8:33 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  all litter material absorbs liquid. This in itself is not a problem, but the mineral-based litter apparently can get stuck in the GI tract, whereas a wood or paper-based one will move through.
- 09/02/2010 at 9:27 AM
  mocha200
  Participant
  4486 posts
  oh i see. thanks!
- 09/02/2010 at 7:14 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  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?
- 09/03/2010 at 1:46 PM
  tobyluv
  Participant
  3311 posts
  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.
- 09/03/2010 at 1:52 PM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  Thank you for your input tobyluv. This is worth considering.
  
  I will look into samples though…I just would like to try it
- 09/03/2010 at 2:15 PM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  Interesting.
  
  I know of a site that just charges a flat fee.. of 5.99 for shipping.
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