The odor is from the natural volatile chemicals in the wood called phenols. Litter training is a great way to create a designated area for your rabbit to use the bathroom that will keep its pen clean and smelling fresh! Try moving her box there, or Choose a size big Yes, pine pellets are fine because they are kiln-dried, which ensures that the phenols which are harmful to rabbits are removed during the drying process. These materials consist of paper and natural wood. out into a small area with multiple litterboxes to choose. The kiln-dried pine pellets and shavings are safe for rabbits because they are kiln-dried. However, clay litter can be dusty and may encourage you to dig in the litter box if you are not careful. Move Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. When litter training your rabbit, its important to remember that not all litter is safe some can cause great harm to your rabbit, but others are perfectly fine to use!. The answer lies in setting up your litter box properly. This effect is observed in a study published in Science. I know you are supposed to choose one or the other, but I could never really decide. Also a contributing writer at https://www.hyaenidae.org, 39595 Dahlia Union Suite 116 Volkmanburgh, TN 89731. what is the best thing to put in a rabbit litter box? Rabbits have a more sensitive respiratory system than that of cats. as litter absorbs and swells and fills the litterbox more; the rabbit will be up higher when on dirty your rabbit use a litterbox: Put a big pile of fresh hay in one end of the box. Place a litter box on the corner as soon as you see this. Epidemological studies in humans point to increase risks in people who work in saw mills, but the issue of volatile phenol involvement is not clear. We want to make sure your rabbit is free from harm when beginning its litter journey. Rabbits naturally tend to eat litter much more often than cats, so when creating a litter-based bathroom for your rabbit, you need to take into account that it will often be eating its litter that is why choosing the right one is crucial. Here are some types to avoid: All types of clumping cat litter are harmful to rabbits. Our bodies always produces a low constant level of these protective agents; the problem occurs when constant exposure to pine phenols causes the rabbits to produce substantially larger quantities. Ms. Harriman's list includes Carefresh - dust free, lightweight, super-absorbent, non abrasive, non-toxic. feeder Ms. Fayo granted us permission to write a synopsis of her work which can be found here: Pine In the event that a rabbit is moved to a new home, it will choose a corner of its cage to be eliminated. Ammonia is released when urine is left in one location without being cleaned out. Send us your country, city, and area code to obtain a shipping quote. Using the cardboard, sweep the hay to one side with one hand. They also claim that the pine smell when you open the bag could be harmful to your rabbit, but most agree that its just the phenol in the shavings which causes health complications. Problem with Cedar and Pine Shavings as Pet Bedding and Litter, Do you have someone impossible to buy for? That smell is where the the problem lies. 4 delicious flavors! ), Evaluation of Cage Micro-Environment of Mice Housed on Various Types of Bedding Materials, Rabbits for Sale in OH. You must log in or register to reply here. give her another one in that chosen corner! Most cat litters are not rabbit-safe. Two Very Popular Kiln-Dried Pine Shavings Products (Various Sizes Available): Quality Litter Pans with Room for Good-sized Rabbits, Will Minimize Mess. Another issue to note is that of respiratory issues. Any additions and mixtures to these materials to make them more absorbent or easier to clean can pose a risk to rabbits. Dr. Flentke and Ms. Merriman) and outline their views, while including our Rabbits will not eat hay that is soiled but will appreciate hay set aside for munching. This is a fairly long page - so we want you to know up front that pine shavings are just fine for rabbit litter, the nest box, and bedding. Check out theBunny Bazaarfor our gorgeous Kiln-dried pine is also the cheapest rabbit litter on the market. What makes litter rabbit-safe? litter, especially kiln-dried pine. Your rabbit's liver tries to remove the phenols by producing more of certain enzymes that destroy these chemicals; this is a natural part of you and your rabbit's defense against enviromental toxins. Even if your rabbit does not eat the clay, the dust from this litter can also be harmful. Depending on how often your rabbit goes to the bathroom, the litter will need to be changed a few times a month, especially to reduce unwanted smells. It is not a good idea to give your rabbit fresh pine or cedar to chew on. PIne gets a bad rap because pine shavings are not good for rabbits. can you use non clumping cat litter for rabbits? In rodents, for example, constant exposure to phenol-containing litters reduced drug effectiveness by greater that 40%. The paper cat litter is also highly absorbent, making it a good alternative to other types of litter. This article will guide you through the benefits and pitfalls of using pine pellets and also outline the various other options to choose from in order to help you identify the best solution for you and your pet. Required fields are marked *. This is the main objection to softwood litters. Their distinctive smell is due to their high concentration of phenols. The House Rabbits Societys Litter training page. Yes! Composting is a great way to use it, along with hay and rabbit droppings. If you already have some cat litter on hand, you might be wondering if its safe to use for lining your rabbits litter tray. That doesnt mean you cant use a box with young or unaltered rabbits Rabbits for Sale in OH Ohio - Find Ohio rabbit breeders in your local area in Ohio that raise your chosen rabbit breeds. dump the contents every couple of days to once a week, depending on the size of the box and for medium and large bunnies. Remove the cardboard box and let the content even out. This environmentally friendly, chemical-free, and all-natural litter is one of the top choices that we recommend to almost all rabbit owners! When breathed in, this dust can cause respiratory issues in rabbits. In fact, it can be one of the most dangerous kinds of litter for your rabbit. confusing to a rabbit to be given too much freedom all at once, so let him learn at his own pace Aspen is a hardwood. Hell probably pick one he likes, and Why Does My Rabbit Bite Me When I Feed Him? Clay litter can cause respiratory issues when breathed in. First, the natural pine wood inside the litter is excellent at trapping away the unwanted odors, and along with the added baking soda, the smell will almost never be a problem. I have to warn you though about the Feline Pine, the pellets break down into sawdust and if they come into contact with bunny fur like their butt, it sticks to it and gets stuck like that silly Charmin commercial with the bears and the lint stuck on the bottom of the little bear. Now it is time for some drawbacks so you can make a decision on whether to choose this bedding type or opt for something else. When choosing a cage and litterbox, make sure the box will fit through the door of the cage! The main advantage of using pine pellets is that theyre economical and super absorbent; they come in large 40-pound bags branded as horse bedding, so rest assured that if they can absorb a horses mess, theyll more than do the job for your rabbit! You always want to be 100% sure youre getting the right one for your bunny. Forum DIET & CARE Feline Pine Cat Litter. This habit is significantly reduced or I had to chase Bonsai all over to comb it out. All Rights Reserved. Nursing training and experience, and from an excellent article written by Ms. Eliminator usually do a good job. Note:Some cat litters (clumping and clay) and pine and cedar shavings can causemajor health issues in rabbits. What Happens If a Rabbit Eats Cat Litter? Thus the evidence is, at best, only suggestive. As a side issue, for those on the west coast, Ponderosa pine needles have been mentioned as alternative litter; this should be avoided at all costs. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Changing the type of litter you use can confuse a rabbit, or turn it off from using the box. Then, fill the other side of the litter box with your chosen litter. Laboratories that do drug tests on rabbits are the in a small area first. Corinne Fayo entitled "The Truth About What litters are safe to use for a bunny? Visit Us:39595 Dahlia Union Suite 116 Volkmanburgh, TN 89731. where do you put the litter box in a rabbit hutch? Rabbits are nibblers and clay litter can cause This Feline Pine litter is perfect for your rabbit and can be easily purchased off Amazon with two-day shipping for Prime members. There comes the time in every rabbit owners life when they need to decide which bedding to choose for the cage of their pet rabbit. Rescuing A Pet With Health Problems: What You Need To Know, How Pet Owners Are Using CBD To Help Their Pets. What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.. litter, often sold during heating season at feed stores. Second, with no added chemicals or toxins, this is the perfect litter for your rabbit and its health. Research indicates that pine shavings, however, are best avoided as they contain phenols that can cause your pet liver complications. and CareFresh, cheaper than hardwood beddings, while being essentially equal in Recommended Feline Pine Products for Rabbits. He is starting to show his age but, Healthy food for conures comes in different forms and combinations. Rabbits should stick to materials in their naturally occurring forms. The best value for small rabbits is the Fresh News Paper Small Rabbit Litter. This can make clean-up harder, as hay can be easily mixed in with the litter. We as caretakers are always limited in what safe drugs we can use on rabbits, and decreasing their safety further by making them unpredicatable should be avoided if at all possible. Vets are a great source of information that can be a great help to your litter training journey with your rabbit! How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage. While there are some types of cat litter that rabbits can use, most should be avoided. On top of the litter at one end of Hard to say. She might grunt or lunge at you for invading Two online articles have almost singlehandedly destroyed the This is the main objection to softwood litters. If one of your animals is sick, the last thing you want is for them to both get sick. Paper is also highly absorbent, making it a good and safe alternative for other types of cat litter. Getrabbit news, husbandry and health tips mostly every month. Can A Male Cat Still Impregnate After Being Neutered? I have a whole layering system in place Feline Pine, wire grate, Care Fresh. This in turn can affect the metabolism of drugs. Newspaper and bulk hay are the most inexpensive choice, but they arent as absorbent as other commonly ingests them. You can also use compressed wood stove pellets as At the end of the day, always consult your vet when changing plans for your rabbit and see what suggestions they can offer. You just need to set your rabbit up for success. By Karen Patry , Copyright 2009-2022 Raising-Rabbits.com. rabbit news, husbandry and health tips mostly every month. The ingestion of some of the litter by rabbits while eating hay is dangerous to cats because clay and clumping litter can be dangerous to rabbits. It may smell fresh to us but we arent as close to the litter with our noses as they are. Of all cat litters, crystal cat litter is the most susceptible to being ingested. This Forum and Store have separate secure Sign Ins, We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best., You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. Keeping your bunnys litter simple and recyclable is a good way to ensure a safe litter and to reduce your carbon footprint. I love the stuff! On top of that, crystal cat litter also contains chemicals to keep its crystalline form. I want more info! It is Some of the drugs affected are xylazine and ketamine, the most popular injectable anesthesias. Combined with the other health difficulties though, we should seriously question the use of pine and cedar in any litter for the pet industry. A good option for the bird;s base diet includes a, I have a 3 month old beardie and She won't play with toys but she'll just run around like crazy, I love my snakes i have 3 of them 2 big ones n a baby . Pine pellets are safe for rabbits and considered to be a suitable organic bedding option. Since there are several variations available on the open market, always stick to natural and organic, and avoid any nasties that could harm your bunnys health. Copyright 2022 | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, Can Rabbits Survive On A Pallet-Only Diet? It is also possible that bunny will ingest this litter if it is ingested. But then, as a past Registered Nurse, the science interests me). When choosing a litter for your rabbit, you want to be sure that it wont cause harm to your pet, so doing the research is vital. Once your bunny is consistent with using the box in his cage, then let him ), ok, that makes me feel much better! Always check the ingredients list on a package of litter. Rabbits for Sale in Canada. Rinse or soak litterboxes with it, or use to spot reputation of pine shavings for rabbit litter. Rearrange her cage contents? Your purchases from these affiliates come at no extra cost to you. DONT use Ponderosa Pine needles as an alternative. Every few days, you should check on the box to see if its getting full. It should be noted that there are rabbit owners that are reluctant to use wood as litter. her space! Rabbit Nutritional Supplement and Treat! I will never use anything else Love Yesterdays News! I'm pathetic I guess because Tractor Supply is my favorite store! as rabbit litter and rabbit bedding gets our top vote. On top of that, some woods also produce a nice smell that you and your rabbit can appreciate. Is Red Light Therapy Safe For Pets And Animals? If this practice were toxic, wed have seen significant health problems with very young kits. Many rabbits will use droppings to mark territory. Other common litters areYesterdays News, CareFresh, Aspen Supreme, Cat Country (though, I dont personally like the smell of that one) and for more information on safe litters and litters to avoid check out the House Rabbits Society page on it http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html#litter. treat carpet stains. Some alternatives to cat litter include newspaper shavings, compressed wood shavings, and hay. Enjoy! At the end of the day, litter training is relatively easy for your rabbit as long as you do it well and safely! They make great gifts too!! litters so must be changed frequently. Yes, Ipretty sureall pelleted pine is kiln-dried. your cage floor area is too small for a litterbox, your cage is too small for your rabbit. Does your bunny keep using a cage corner opposite the litterbox? It's easy - we only need your email address, then hit the 'subscribe' button. Rabbit Nutritional Supplement and Treat! I have used pine pellets for over 4 years now and have not had any issues. One of the main reasons to keep the litter boxes separate is that not all cat litter is safe for rabbits. Other than intestinal blockages, rabbits are also at risk for digestive problems. Many other pet stain products also work well on rabbit urine; experiment to Can a Rabbit Die from Eating Too Much? groom himself all day!) Both are made with recycled paper on top of being non-toxic and chemical-free. There are claims that wood causes liver disease. With all-natural ingredients, this Feline Pine Non-Clumping Litter is great for rabbits of all ages! Being all-natural and chemical-free gives you a bit more peace of mind knowing that your rabbit can go to the bathroom multiple times a day without risk to its health. Why Is My Rabbit Scared Of Me All Of A Sudden? 1 regular one 1, Copyright at 2022 Clever Pet Owners. It does remove a lot of the negatives for using pine. Same goes for the play areaif bunny picks a Pine pellet type litters are okay because the dangerous oils/phenols have been processed out. A good rule of thumb is to always opt for a pellet-based litter that is digestible by your rabbit and wont cause blockages. If youre new to using Feline Pine litter, the first step you want to take is getting a litter box that is big enough for your rabbit to have room to move around in. Throughout this article, we will go through how safe litter is for rabbits and why feline pine is a great choice when litter training your rabbit! At worst, this can cause your rabbits entire digestive system to shut down. Feline Pine litter is easy to use and safe to use but always make sure to do your research and understand what you are doing before you begin litter training your rabbit. Feline Pine is a great litter to use for your rabbit as it is free of harsh chemicals, cedar and pine shavings, and any unnatural toxins. Cat litterboxes in the larger sizes usually serve well for Theres a good reason why natural wood fibers are the most common materials for rabbit litters. But before you jump on board to litter training your rabbit, make sure you research which litters to use and what happens if your rabbit ingests any litter. If you notice any questionable additions or mixes, do your research to ensure that these additions are rabbit safe. You can clean the litter box with a paper towel and a spray of plain white vinegar, which neutralizes the ammonia in rabbit urine and helps dissolve any calcium residue in the litter box. The most common woods used in cat litter are pine and cedar. View this great PDF illustrating Extruded, pelleted plant-fiber litter (Feline Pine, Aspen Fresh) or chemical-free woodstove pellets are alternatives. Keep your bunnys box free of litters that are not suitable for rabbits. Hi, I have two adorable rabbits, and Im wondering if vibrant life litter box freshness booster is okay for my rabbits. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time., http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html#litter, This topic has 5sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated. This is based on how, in the laboratory, scientists avoid softwoods due to its effect in the liver. comments and observations for clarification. when their environment changes or they are stressed did you move the furniture? Pellet-based litter, especially Feline Pine, is recommended when opting for a litter-based bathroom for your rabbit and is safe for your pet. Ive also owned hamsters and fish when I was a kid, and they filled my childhood with very delightful memories.