Cat litter?

[luna]

Hi,

Im just wondering if anyone can advise me on what is best to use in the litter tray for my bunny i will be getting in two weeks. do people use cat litter and if so does it matter what type? he will be 7 to 8 weeks old when i get him … should i start training him with the litter tray pretty soon after he comes home or is there any point before he is neutered? Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions ye may have:-)

[JK]

 

Hi and welcome!  Please read the links below which tells you which litters are safe and how to train.  Silica, clay and clumping cat litters are extremely dangerous to rabbits. The best ones are Aspen Supreme, Carefresh, Cat Country, Critter Country, Yesterday’s News and wood stove pellets.

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=62

http://saveabunny.com/?q=litterbox

 

[Beka27]

it matters very much what kind you use. i would get one of the suggested types that knowltons and put it in the litterbox. do not put bedding or litter in the rest of the cage. just a towel is fine, or the plastic bottom and a grass mat. be diligent in cleaning up messes. pee soak up in a paper towel and put in the litterbox, poops, brush up and put them in there. clean the bottom very well, but leave the box for a few days so he can really get the scent. try putting hay in the box, as bunnies like to munch and potty at the same time.

remember, chances are that littertraining will not be perfect before he is neutered and even then he may struggle until he’s older… but by doing these things you are familiarizing him with the litterbox. i have heard boys are easier, but i don’t know what proof there is of that. i’m sure it depends greatly on the bunny. also keep in mind that if he was kept in a wire-bottom cage at the breeders, he is used to the poops just disappearing. it will be a new experience being on a solid bottom.

[luna]

Thanks for that… i have heard of carefresh but not the rest!Carefresh is very expensive in this country What i might do is use newspaper, afew layers of kitchen roll, softwood bedding that i use for my guinea pigs (it has been okayed by my vet who specialises in exotics) and attach a hay rack beside the litter box so he has to get into it to eat the hay. Is it ok to use fleece for the base of the cage?

[JK]

Make sure you don’t use pine, cedar, corn or wheat based bedding.  In fact hay would be better over newspaper if you don’t use any of the other litters.  You will have to change it daily for sure though.

[luna]

yeah i might do that…i will research it more i think as the bedding i use is very good but i want to make sure there is nothing harmful in it for rabbits. another idea i had was to use megazorb. i could buy it in bulk from the uk. has anyone heard of this bedding? It is meant to be very good!

[Beka27]

not sure what megazorb is… i use an off-brand pressed paper pellet. it’s made from recycled paper and it absorbs urine wonderfully and i don’t notice any smell at all. with one bun i’ve been able to go a full week without a box change altho i prefer to change it twice weekly. newspaper is not going to be able to absorb the urine like a good litter will, and there will be more of a smell.

[bunnytowne]

oh yes littertrain as soon as you get him. he will get used to it. some buns take to it rather quickly and are very neat other buns go back n forth success one day not the  next. depends on the bun and the age can be a factor too. tho start young anyways. they will get the idea.

[Deleted User]

Do not use cat litter! the dust is bad for the bunnies and do not use any clay litters

Aspen supreme works great, it comes out in one big clump, easy clean up

[luna]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys…much appreciated and will take it all on board. Unfortunately we dont have anyof the litters in Ireland that have been suggested by people except for carefresh. i think i will start with newspaper, kitchen roll and hay and see how i get on. i dont mind cleaning it every day. I am fairly OCD with cleaning out the animals anyway so that shouldn’t be a problem:-)  less than two weeks now before i get my little guy…could time go any more slow at the moment.. I think not!!!! will post pics of his initial set up before i get him and ye can let me know what ye think? thanks everyone xx

[Beka27]

you don’t have wood stove pellets either? i think it’s what’s used in horse stalls. horse bedding might actually be okay to use also. i would keep looking around, ask when you pick him up what they use, ask the vets in the area what they recommend.

[luna]

The bedding i previously mentioned (megazorb) is used for horses and is very popular for use with guinea pigs and rabbits over here. my vet said the bedding i use for my guinea pigs ( softwood ) is fine for the rabbit.  the dust has been extracted and it is sterilised prior to packaging. I have also been using this with hamsters for the last ten years and have not had a problem. But im in two minds about it after reading all these articles about liver problems etc so might not use softwood bedding until after i have had him neutered. i will definitely look into those wood stove pellets. my uncle keeps horses so will ask him. im so glad i found this forum … i feel i have learnt so much in the last week. hope im not bugging ye too much with all my questions.. what will i be like when i actuallly have a rabbit?!

[Beka27]

you’re not bothering us at all! keep the questions (and pics when you get him) coming! we’ve all started out at a place of no or little knowledge and learned from there. it’s so wonderful that you are trying your best to get things just exactly perfect for him.

[osprey]

I checked out the Megazorb.  It looks like good stuff.  It is organic, made from waste paper pulp, and they say it is 100% compostable.  Litters that are compostable are usually good for rabbits.  Based on the pictures, it looks very similar to a product in North America called CareFresh.

[Author]

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