rabbit bedding

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Hiya,

Just wondering what everyone uses for their rabbits. We have wood shavings - but now the 'warmer' weather is coming the shavings are playing havoc with my hay fever so looking for an alternative

Thanks!

Mimi

krlyr

I stopped using woodshavings for all my small animals when I saw a link to some studies showing the effects of wood phenols on the liver, and the possible link to liver failure.

Lots of alternatives, some may suit better than others. The one with the least dust would probably be shredded cardboard squares, e.g. Ecobed, Finacard, etc., it's not the most absorbant but if the rabbit is litter trained you can use something more absorbant in the tray. Ratrations.com do a good paper pellet litter for the trays. Though, in the warmer weather, you could always just line the hutch/cage with lino or something else wipeable and just use a big litter tray, that'll cut down on the bedding needed, and just some hay in the sleeping area.

There's paper-based beddings like Carefresh and Megazorb, though I found the Megazorb a bit too dusty (but it's available in larger bags for cheaper).

http://www.therabbithouse.com/equipment/rabbit-litter-trays.asp may be worth a read

Fosterdog

I don't use anything in the main part of the hutch, just give it a good wipe down every day. Mine have 24hr run access and their chosen toilet area is outside which helps keep the hutch clean.

In their bed area we just have hay at this time of year, in the winter we add a cardboard box with straw packed around it and in it to keep it insulated and some shredded paper as it's softer than straw.

Celli

Not sure if it would be suitable for rabbits, but I use paper I've shredded in my hens nest boxes.

reehsetin

I don't think wood shavings are recommended, especially those with pine
We use a mix of Hay, (their hay tray is above so all the waste goes straight into the litter box) Auboise (have used megazorb previously) and a couple of sheets of newspaper for lining

Get auboise/megazorb and hay from a pet shop that caters for horses so they're big packs but so cheap and last ages.

mac666_2

I have my hutch lined with non slip lino. Then in their bed area i just use newspaper and a layer of hay. I am allergic to sawdust and plus it is no good for bunnies. In winter they have straw under the hay and a sungglesafe heat pad.

They have a litter tray in their run with their haybar over which they use. In summer they hardly use their bed as they have 24 hour run access and tend to spend more time out there.

Kavanne

Celli wrote: »

Not sure if it would be suitable for rabbits, but I use paper I've shredded in my hens nest boxes.

I volunteer at a rabbit rescue and we use shredded paper for bedding. Or just go for a big layer of good old fashioned straw.

Whatever you choose to do, please stop using wood shavings