Newspaper Bedding?

[Heath]

I was told when I got my bunneh Heathcliff that I could use newspaper as bedding. As I’m the editor of a local paper, this idea appeals to me for obvious reasons: I can change his bedding as often as necessary for absolutely free, and I can find a good use for all my extra papers. I checked with the plant and the ink is non-toxic. Now, is this going to hurt Heath? I originally put in some soft bedding, and Heath kicked it all over the floor. The paper seems to work better, but if it’s going to be hurting him, I’ll def. change.

He seems to like it quite a bit. He’ll shred it, and bury in it, and curl happily up in it. But, again, if the bedding is going to hurt him, I’ll happily change it. Anyone have any information about this?

[Beka27]

just to clarify, when you say “bedding”, you mean somethiing for him to sleep in, not use as a potty right?

what kind of litter are you using?  are you litterbox training him?  newspaper is absolutely fine, but if you use a soft bedding material in addition to a litterbox, that can confuse the potty training.  some people fill a laundry basket with shredded newspaper and create a “diggy box”.  i’ve found that my rabbit prefers to lay on the bottom of the plastic cage or on top of her wood house.  she really likes the solid surfaces.

[kimberleyanddarren]

i dont think it would do any harm and if your bun likes it then sure, but as beka said it may confuse your bun in their litter training just give it a go and see how it goes, we live and learn

[RabbitPam]

I read somewhere that newspapers using soy based inks now were OK for bunnies (like the phone books) and that many people actually opt for shredded newspapers for litter or bedding.

Found it.  Go to the House Rabbit Society webpage for excellent info. on all bunny needs. http://www.rabbit.org

On the FAQ page they state: “newspapers are absorbent, but don’t control odor” and

“Another approach is to place a handful of hay in each box, or to simply use hay as litter. It is helpful to put several layers of newspaper under the hay, to absorb urine so that your rabbit is not standing in the urine. Most newspapers today are using soy-based ink, which is safe for your rabbit, but check with your local newspaper to make sure first. Obviously, you need to change the hay fairly frequently (daily), since your rabbit will be eating it. This method often helps to encourage good litter habits as well as to encourage hay consumption, since rabbits often eat at or near the same time as they use the litter box.“

Sounds to me like your bunny approves, you have an unlimited supply and he’s already almost trained. A happy bunny!

[kimberleyanddarren]

damn wish my bunny was happy with abit of shredded paper lol

[Heath]

My college gets free copies of the New York Times, so after I finish reading it, I usually grab a couple of them and change the cage and the litter box. Add that to the fact that I have a ridiculous amount of extra papers after each publication run, and I have loads and loads of papers. I usually just use the newspaper to line the cage and then in the litter box, and I have a little diggy box for him with shredded newspaper. He seems to love it!

Thanks for the info, everyone! I was concerned it wasn’t a good idea, but he loves it, it’s ridiulcously cheap which gives me more money to buy him veggies, and it’s putting things to good use.

[Gravehearted]

thanks for clarifying – yes, using newspaper to line the bottom on Heath’s cage is a great idea. Generally newspaper, mats, blankies or towels are your best bets – since putting litter on the floor of the cage confuses bunnies. I generally put a layer of newspaper at the bottom of the litterbox and then add a scoop of litter. You absolutely can just use shredded newspaper as your litter – but I would see if it confuses him. It may be that you’ll have to add some amount of litter to the box to make sure he knows it’s different from the bottom of his cage.

[Hedi]

Believe it or not but in nursing school they taught us if we ever had to deliver a baby to use newspaper because it doesnt hold germs!

So if its good enough to deliver a baby newspaper is good enough for potty boxes! lol

[Deleted User]

Newspaper is fine to use … I line Luey’s littertrays with a few sheets of newspaper or flyers then plonk a heap of hay on top of the newspaper.

I also do the same with my piggies’ littertrays …. and place newspaper on the bottom of their cages.

Dawn xx

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