New (again) bunny owner

[Zamey]

I have a juvenile bunny–a calico lion head. Potty training is going as well as expected for a young bunny. I understand that it will take time and maturity to get better.

I’m confused about if I should have paper bedding covering the cage AND in the potty box (which I currently have). Or if I should perhaps line the cage bottom with fleece/blankets and only have the paper bedding in the potty box?

I’m also torn between purchasing Care Fresh or Yesterday’s News. I’m currently using Aspen shavings because I was told it’s safe (as opposed to pine or cedar) but upon further research, I’m getting rid of Aspen today and need to decide between Care Fresh or YN.

So much has changed in the last 20 years since I had a bunny (and guinea pigs). I’m glad that things have changed and the Internet is so much more helpful in learning about proper care. I feel bad for my childhood critters–metal grate bottoms, glass aquariums for guinea pig, never heard of Timothy hay back then (we had the alfalfa cubes)…as a kid I really didn’t know any better (and my parents didn’t either I suppose).

I’m just a little overwhelmed in deciding how to provide the best care for this precious baby.

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Zamey : )

I’m confused about if I should have paper bedding covering the cage AND in the potty box (which I currently have). Or if I should perhaps line the cage bottom with fleece/blankets and only have the paper bedding in the potty box?

No need to put bedding on the cage floor. Just limit it to the box. You can try blankets but lots of rabbit like to pee on soft items. They don’t mind a bare floor. In fact, many prefer it.
Keep the hay in a rack above the litter box on in the box itself.

The aspen shavings are safe. Yesterdays news is probably more economic then carefresh but it depends where you buy I suppose. You can actually just get the cat one for less dollars. It’s exactly same stuff as rabbit one.

Edit: in regards to hay, you don’t have to limit yourself to timothy hay. Other grass hays are fine. Some people find they’re allergic to timothy, so swap over to orchard grass or oat hay. 

[Bam]

Welcome!
I second everything Jersey said. And I do agree that the Internet has improved pet-ownership no end. In the olden days you were lucky if you could find an old library book about small pets and even luckier if the book actually had good info.

I use hardwood stove pellets as litter. My buns are cage-free but have vet beds to lounge on, but I’ve had the boys for so long that they know not to pee on their bedding (My bun Yohio actually never has peed on bedding, but with Bam, it took some time before he fully understood).

[Vienna Blue in France]

re potty training – somtimes its easier to move the mountain to mohammed !! So put the box where he pees.
Or temporarily enlcose his freedom space so he only has the box as a choice…..they learn real fast if given the right instruction and motivation (like hay above or in littertray – hint hint)

[Zamey]

Thanks so much for the info! I ended up purchasing bedding called SoPhresh and got rid of the aspen. It was releiving to know that aspen was in fact safe, but the paper bedding is much less messy! (Trails of aspen all over the house).

I put the SoPhresh in bins, topped with Timothy hay and put food/water dishes in the bins. I’ve been using plain terry cloth towels for the other part of her house and a fleece area for her “bed”. She’s had minimal accidents–zero on the fleece bedding part, a couple on the towel portion.

Cleaning out the bins/replacing the towel every couple of days or as needed is SO much easier than cleaning my childhood rabbit cage!

I put similar bins in my piggy cages. They aren’t as smart as rabbits (I’m noticing lol) but it certainly helps to contain the majority of the mess/easier cleanup.

She’s a precious baby that has brought much joy. Love her so much!

[Author]

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