Litter

[zpipes]

Lookin for info on litter.  What should I look for when picking litter?  Whats good and not good for rabbits?  What are some suggestions you might have?  Thank you!

[RabbitPam]

Hi,
Bad ones first, so don’t get these: No Cedar chips or shavings, No Pine shavings. Both are harmful to bunnies.
The only wood shavings I know of that are fine for bunnies is Aspen shavings. (which I use.)

If you like pellet type litter, and a bunny will let you know his preference, try Aspen Supreme pellets, Yesterday’s News, or Feline Pine. Pine pellets must never be treated with an accellerant, so if you find very plain wood stove pellets, those are OK too. Equine Pine is fine.

For softer bedding, you can try Carefresh. It’s like popcorn shaped paper. The original brownish stuff is actually the safest, with the white containing fewer allergens for both you and bunny. I used it for my Mini Rex when he had tender feet and I had dust allergies.

[Deleted User]

A great type of litter is carefresh!!! It is a great type and isn’t expensive. If you buy a big bag it will last you nine months for one rabbit(not sure about you, but for me it does!!) Also it comes in different colors so you could match it with the litter box!
This is a link: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753657

[Deleted User]

Oh yeah Aspen is really good to!!!!

[Monkeybun]

I go through a bag of carefresh every 3-4 weeks I have 4 buns… litter gets changed every 3-4 days.

[zpipes]

Ah, see I was thinking it would be more like a cat liter and less of a bedding material. Most of what I’m seeing online is ilke a fluffy litter type.

[Monkeybun]

Definitely don’t get a clay or clumping cat litter. Bad for bunnies.

[zpipes]

Then why would you need a litter liner lol? Or is that for the pellets.

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

I use to use carefresh but with 2 buns it became so expensive i was using a 60 liter bag in 2 weeks at it was costing me $25 a bag. I did use equine fresh horse pelleted bedding they don’t sell it anymore they only sell equine pine and i contacted the company and said not to use on rabbits. So now I use Yesterdays news they actually make it now that its for cats and rabbits so you can find it in the cat litter section. I got a 30lb bag for $15.99 i have been using it 2 weeks love it and surprising it is lasting me awhile. I think before i was using to much litter. I did use aspen shavings with horse bedding. They were bad I didn’t care for the smell it gave me a headache. I know never to use cedar and pine shavings. Hope this helps

[Monkeybun]

I don’t use litter liners. I use carefresh, in a cat litter box. With a pile of hay. Thats it

Clay and clumping cat litter can cause respiratory issues, and if your bun is a nibbler, it can cause serious blockages in their little bun tummies. NOT good to have. Better to get a good litter, that is bun safe. Alot of people here use litter like Yesterdays News (Which is a cat litter, paper kind) or wood stove pellets, with no additives. Both are cheap, and acceptable litters for buns.

[LoveChaCha]

I use woodstove pellets (no additives) and a bit of hay. Change it every 4 days or so

[luvmyhunybuny]

I use http://www.guardianhorsebedding.com/index.htm the pellets. Easy clean up and a 40lb bag is $7! Super affordable!!

[zpipes]

Ok, so after looking around, I actually really like this Yesterday’s News deal, with the whole help the environment concept. I like supporting those types of companyies, like dawn with the wildlife thing. Anyhow, I figure I’ll give this a go. Question though, newspaper ink runs. Is this litter treated or cleaned or its recycled and sterilized or something?

Also, I see there are two types original and softer, and the softer has scented and unscented, which type is better for rabbits? And I guess scented is bad? Or is it just the cedar scent and stuff. Thanks!

[KatnipCrzy]

I would stay away from scented litter- if your bunny does not like the scent, they may avoid the box. remember bunnies are only inches away from the litter so it is stronger to them- plus they often do not appreciate the same scents we do. So I would try the unscented.

[Monkeybun]

Unscented original I would think would be best. Scented stuff can irritate bunny noses, they have a much stronger sense of smell than us.

And its recycled, and ink won’t run

[zpipes]

Sht, I feel bad for the guy now, for a month he has been living in cedar bedding :o( IM SORRY BUNNY!!!

[Monkeybun]

It’s okay, you know now

[mamachumchum]

Hi everyone! So I have a question. I see all the suggestions about litter, I have had my little guys for two days now. I saw the carefree litter and thought I could make some. I have unlimited access to shredded paper and could easily make paper popcorn stuff for my box (and my two and 1/2 year old daughter would love the project too!) my question is the ink? I have read that it is toxic and also that its not. It would be diluted due to making paper pulp and a lot of it would run off in the excess water….any suggestions?

[Monkeybun]

If it is a soy based ink, it will be non toxic. petroleum based is not so good. the water may wash off the ink, not sure how long it would take to actually make the stuff though…

[mamachumchum]

i live in texas! with our heat and lack of rain this year it would be sooo easy! just soak the paper in water over night, put in blender or use your hands to break it up. Then I have to decide how I want to form it, i am thinking of just dumping it over an old window screen and spreading it out. I can cut it up after it dries. It would be super absorbent for the urine i think. I will try it and let you know for sure. Thanks for the answer on the ink. I just wanted a bunnie persons opinion before trying it.

[Monkeybun]

Alot of newspapers use soy based ink now, so you’re probably fine

[mamachumchum]

Thanks! Now if I just new everything else I needed to do! I have been scouring the net and pet stores for info and this sight has been a great find. Love to have others brains to pick.

[Beka27]

Some people have made their own shredded paper litter but it’s not a logical long-term solution. With the amount of litter bunnies go thru, the newspapers are going to end up being more expensive than a cheap wood pellet. You could give it a try, just don’t be disappointed if it’s not worth the effort. Since you’re in Texas, horse stall bedding will be your best bet for litter… super cheap and absorbent.

[Sarita]

Yes, if you can find Lone Star Bedding – that is the best. I think I buy mine for $5.90 a bag – 35 lbs, it’s a bargain.

[mamachumchum]

WOW! Thanks guys that is a lot less expensive. I am a coupon user so I always have an excess of newspaper and have unlimited access to shredded as well. It is more of a project to do with my 2 1/2 year old then something I plan on doing all the time. I did make some today and it was super easy Just waiting for it to dry. I like the idea of recycling. (Having said all of that…. I am going to get some bedding also. My guys are on day two of litter training and have started to urinate in the boxes!!! But I can see where they will be using a lot of bedding. Thanks for all the input. I am less then a week into bunny mama-hood and help is appreciated!

[Sarita]

You really don’t need bedding at all. You just need litter for the litter boxes otherwise you are going to confuse them.

[mamachumchum]

  Me confused? Naw…lol, your right I am confused. I just want it for the litter boxes, I said bedding but that is what I meant..hehe

[Beka27]

Mamachumchum, have you continued making litter? How is it going?

[mamachumchum]

I like it, fun project. Bunnies didn’t like it and threw it all over floor and pen…lol, going to nix that project and make paper with wildflower seeds with daughter instead O.o

Bought some Equine fresh, have not used it yet. I have been using old newspapers that have been put through the shredder and it works fine, just doesn’t control smell, I don’t mind changing it everyday but want something more pleasing to look at, also I plan on composting the poo and wood pellets and will need the newspaper to make layers, it wont due to have it urine soaked.

Thanks for asking. Your bunnies sure are cute

[LoveChaCha]

Wood pellet litter doesn’t need much changing (I do it every 3-4 days), and only a thin layer is needed

[mamachumchum]

I figured out (the hard way) that it didn’t need much. I thought I had put just enough, but….it expanded when wet and got almost as big as the box..lol,my hubby says I change it too much. I like a nice and neat looking pen and so I get in there daily to clean and am a little ocd about the litter boxes. Today I used way less of the wood pellets and hope that the result is better and I can just scoop out the bad spots. Time will tell. Love the smell and the clean look of the wood. The bunnies seem to like it also. they are already doing their urine in the boxes. Still working on getting them to poo in there regularly. I purchased some plastic cross stitch canvas to put over the pellets so they wont make a huge mess and so I can put the poop in my garden w/o having to compost it first and that is working out great. They don’t mess with it at all. I got a large piece of it for two dollars and cut it to fit the boxes. All is well with me and the bunnies Found a vet finally and were on the way to life long love. I even got a binky from Houdini the other day.

[LoveChaCha]

Hahah!

I changed Chacha’s litter box yesterday, and she went right into the box. She jumped out and she had peed in the box. I saw teh pellet puff up! It is amazing!

Just toss the stray poops into the box Good luck!

[Author]

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