I have heard of rabbits getting infections from sand. I’m not really sure why but it seems to get caught up in their undercarriage (so to speak ) and leads to infection. It seems a little strange given that some rabbits do live in sandy environments in the wild, but it was on a facebook group I’m in. Instead on there they recommend plain potting/garden soil (no added fertilisers etc).

Otherwise you can always use something like carefresh or shredded newspaper though of course run the risk of it becoming a litter box (though the same could happen with sand or soil).

I have never heard of infections from sand! Now I’m very worried. Ophelia has a sandbox that is full of play sand- the kind you would buy for a child. She’s had it for a while now….should I be concerned then? O.o

I know that some people do use sand for dig boxes, but I’ve read that it can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract, due to dust and silicates that may be in the sand.

Glad you asked the question stg. I always wondered about the safeness of such too but assumed it was okay because I’ve seen it mentioned here from time to time as another activity or thing to entertain the little ones. And I remember seeing Ophelia in her sand box also. (And personally I consider BunNoob to be one of the pros.) And now that she is worried, I’m curious too as to what the final say is here on the sand issue.

The Swedish Rabbit Wellfare Association just had an insta picture of a sandbox for buns recommending it as enrichment. I’ could ask them on their FB page later today if they know of any risks.
https://instagram.com/p/BiHQ-vhg_HW/

Aw! Thank you Gordo & Janice

She has had it for about 8 months and I haven’t noticed any ill effects so far. And it’s a lot of sand… I think 5 bags. The box is not actually a box, it’s actually the bottom of a Living World deluxe habitat, which used to be her cage. She does do some dramatic flopping in there and I try to help her get the sand off of her head/ears. She’s pretty good at getting it all off herself, and her ears always look pristine inside! She has so much in her box so I’d feel bad taking it away…but of course, if it is unsafe for her then I would certainly get rid of it!

Not sure if this is entirely relevant, but I used to have a major problem with Sam digging at my carpet & pulling it up (definitely not getting my deposit back from the landlord when I move house, aha)/ I’ve got him one of those shag microfibre bath mats(kind of like this one https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71SS0uZM8nL._SL1000_.jpg ) & he scrabbles away happily on that! I usually scatter his pellets on there too so he has to “dig” them out. Might be worth a try as an alternative. Has certainly stopped him damaging the carpet.

Good luck with the wood pellets!

I’ve heard that sand can cause blockages. Apparently, some bunnies ingest it? Not really sure. Never heard of infection, though.

Hope the pellets work out. I’m sure Elara would just pee in them.