eating carefresh

[Lani]

When I first started litter training Oreo, I noticed she would eat some of the Carefresh every now and again. I temporarily solved the problem with a grate over the box (she’s also a litter box digger) but lately she’s been pulling out the pieces of Carefresh that stick through the grate or picking up little pieces that end up on the ground when I clean out her box and eating them. She’s not eating a lot of it but enough for me to be concerned about the effect on her system. Im worried if this is ok and if it means something is missing from her diet. She gets 1/4 cup of pellets, unlimited orchard grass and a heaping cup of veggies every day, per our vet. Any ideas?

[MimzMum]

I have one bun who would eat the Carefresh out of his box and, because he has a sensitive tummy, it would make his cecals messy and I’d have to give him butt baths. I was actually very lucky that he never got a blockage from ingesting this product. It is a great litter companion for non-munching bunnies, but the packaging does say not to allow them to eat quantities for that very reason.
I can’t use it for my lop because it’s just dusty enough to aggravate his sinuses. It’s a shame because it’s a nice, absorbent litter.
Perhaps you could switch to a different type of litter that Oreo doesn’t find as tasty? I use Yesterday’s News and if they soil it quickly I spread some hay on the top sometimes until I can scoop out the wet spots. Or there are always the safer wood shaving options, like aspen? (I think that’s the one to use…just not pine shavings, those are toxic to bunnies.) The only pine litter that bunnies can use is called Feline Pine. It is specially treated.

Perhaps she is looking for a little more fiber in her diet? I feed orchard grass too, but notice that once in awhile my buns need something a bit more tough to sink their teeth into, so I always keep some timothy and oat around for those days.
I’ve also cut out pellets. I find my bunnies have a lot less GI stasis episodes for giving those up. Every bun is different though.

[Lani]

I’m glad to hear my bun isn’t the only one who thinks it’s tasty heh. I’ll have to look around for a different type of litter. Quality small animal supplies aren’t very easy to find around here. Do you think switching litter will impact her litter habits? She’s just gotten to the point where she’s using only the litter box (finally! ) and I’d hate for her to get confused if I switch litters.

[LBJ10]

I would be careful. I know someone who had a hedgehog and he died from a blockage that resulted from him eating his Carefresh bedding. It was awful!

[Lani]

Oh no! That’s horrible How would I know if she had a blockage?

I’m going to pick up some new litter tomorrow and grab some oat hay in case she’s looking for something more fibrous since timothy aggrivates my allergies. What about those cubes of hay? Are those actually a good thing to give buns?

[BinkyBunny]

Every time I have used carefresh and I have used it off and on throughout the time I have ever had bunnies,   and every one has always wanted to nibble and eat some. Mine have never had a problem with digesting it.   But in general, you would just have to keep a watch on your bunny — as other members have noted issues..

Lani — A blockage or slow-down would show up most likely as loss of appetite, or less appetite, little or no poo, or the shapes of the poo become smaller. Messy bottoms can also be caused by an upset in the digestive system.

 

[LBJ10]

I agree! I think it is just something you need to keep an eye on. Bunnies tend to want to nibble on the stuff, but as long as they aren’t ingesting large quantities it probably isn’t going to be a problem. I think the same can be said for a lot of bedding/litter. My friend’s hedgehog had obviously ingested a lot of bedding. It went undetected because hedgehogs are mostly active at night when their humans are sleeping. She didn’t realize there was a problem until the hedgehog became very ill.

[LoveChaCha]

Posted By Lani on 04/14/2011 04:40 PM

Oh no! That’s horrible How would I know if she had a blockage?

I’m going to pick up some new litter tomorrow and grab some oat hay in case she’s looking for something more fibrous since timothy aggrivates my allergies. What about those cubes of hay? Are those actually a good thing to give buns?

 

The hay cubes won’t do very much. It is more of a snack to bunnies than anything.

Oat hay will help big time. It is thicker and delicious smelling to bunnies, it will def. help push things through

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I’m using Cell-sorb Plus, it was 20 bucks for like, 40 pound that’ll last a loooong time. She doesn’t eat it, and I’ve found it’s as absorbent and un-stinky as carefresh was (although the carefresh was for a hammy not a bun!)

[Author]

Messages