Rabbits are a hugely popular pet and bring a lot of love into your life. Bunnies also bring some poop and pee that has to be dealt with and you will have to use some kind of rabbit bedding or rabbit litter in their cage. It is often best to use a different material for bedding and for litter so your bunny knows where to sleep and where to poop and pee!
There are many different types of rabbit litter for you to choose from. It is important that you do not introduce anything into the cage that could cause your rabbit harm. Therefore, read the information provided by the manufacturer carefully and make sure that the product is suitable for rabbits. The ideal rabbit litter is safe, absorbent, reduces odors and is free from dust and additives. To help you choose the right product for your bunny, we have prepared this useful guide to buying the best litter for rabbits.
The Best Litter For Rabbits
This bedding litter has been made specifically for pet use. It has been produced from reclaimed natural fiber which is raw and obtained from source. This paper-based product is soft and comfortable for bunnies yet is also highly absorbent to keep cages clean and dry.
This paper bedding for rabbits also absorbs odors for up to 10 days and produces very little dust so it is easy to clean out the cage. As well as using it in a rabbit toilet, you can also use it for guinea pigs and hamsters and many other small mammal pets.
Made from natural paper fiber
Soft and comfortable for bunnies
Highly absorbent so keeps cages clean
Absorbs odors for up to 10 days
- Brand: Carefresh
- Model: L0401
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
Eliminates ammonia smell
Helps to prevent sneezing
Animals enjoy sleeping in it
Long-lasting
Batches can vary
Some batches are not as absorbent as others
Has a slight odor
Perfectly safe and suitable for all small animals, including rabbits, this bedding has added baking soda so that it will absorb odors. The rabbit litter pellets are made from recycled paper so it is the environmentally friendly option.
It is very good at locking in liquids to keep the cage fresh yet these rabbit litter pellets stay intact when they are wet which makes cleaning a lot easier.
Made from recycled paper
Contains baking soda to absorb odors
Locks in liquids
Do not break apart
- Brand: SO PHRESH
- Weight: 20 pounds
Animals do not carry it into their nests
Does not create a dust
Will not fall apart when wet
Heavy and therefore stay in the litter box
Pellets are large and may be hard for baby rabbits to walk on
Some owners are not happy with the added baking soda
Some animals may eat them
Some small mammal pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, prefer a larger type of bedding. This highly absorbent product is 25% bigger than standard pet bedding. It is very soft and comfortable and will absorb more liquids than wood shavings.
This rabbit cage bedding will control odors within the cage caused by urine and feces and the effect will last for up to 10 days. It also produces very little dust and is therefore easy to clean. The bedding is available in a white or natural color.
25% larger than similar bedding
Highly absorbent
Controls odors
Creates little dust
- Brand: Carefresh
- Model: L0382
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
Encourages pets to pee in one place
Eliminates ammonia smell
Does not fall out of the cage
Does not get soggy
Difficult to tell if it is wet
Not all rabbits like it
A color-safe and non-toxic litter that is suitable for small pets such as rabbits. It is made from recycled paper which is biodegradable and benefits the environment because it saves the paper going to landfill. To control odors, the pellets are absorbent and they contain baking soda.
Liquids such as urine are quickly absorbed by these pellets which can retain a lot of moisture. They create hardly any dust and are hypoallergenic so they are completely safe both for you and your little pet. When you clean out the cage, this litter can be composted.
Color-safe and non-toxic
Made from recycled material
Can be composted – biodegradable
Does not create any dust
- Brand: Fresh News
- Model: 10,000 cu cm
- Weight: 7.1 pounds
Very effective at removing ammonia smell
Hardly any dust
Cuts down on frequency of changing litter box
Don’t have to use a lot of it
A bit expensive for some consumers
Compresses as it gets wet
These natural wood pellets are a 100% natural product and do not have any artificial colors or additives. They have gone through a process to eliminate dust and wood debris so they are very easy to clean out of a cage.
They will not adhere to surfaces yet they absorb a lot of liquid and control odors. These pellets can be used in any type of enclosure.
100 % natural product
No colors or additives
Treated to reduce dust
Do not stick to surfaces
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 10110000
- Weight: 8.16 pounds
Excellent for odor control
You only need small quantities
Can also be used for cat litter trays
Easy to clean
Made from pine and may affect some rabbits
Tend to fall apart when wet
This litter is made for ferrets but is also safe for rabbits. It is made in the US from natural fiber derived from paper. Because there is no dust, it will not cause damage to sensitive respiratory systems. It is also safe for the environment and is biodegradable. You can even dispose of it by flushing it down the lavatory.
Inside your rabbit’s cage, it will absorb fluids and control odors thanks to the natural paper fibers that have ingredients which can neutralize ammonia.
Made from natural paper fibers
Free from dust
Highly absorbent
Eliminates ammonia odors
- Brand: Marshall Pet Products
- Model: FG-073
- Weight: 10 pounds
No perfumes
Easy to tell where the urine is
Highly absorbent
Easy to clean up
Bag is not resealable
Some bags contain dust
This paper-based litter is completely safe for your bunny because it is non-toxic and unbleached. It is made totally from recycled paper and is biodegradable and compostable which makes it easy to dispose of and safe for the environment.
This litter is almost totally dust-free and contains no baking soda. It will eliminate ammonia odors for up to 14 days and will absorb up to three times its weight in moisture.
Non-toxic and unbleached
Biodegradable and compostable
Dust-free
Contains no baking soda
- Brand: Vitakraft
- Model: 34754
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
Excellent at eliminating odors
Cages need to be cleaned out less often
Reduces sneezing
Rabbits love the feel of it
Scatters out of the cage
Some bags have dust in them
This natural bentonite clay litter is a natural product that produces little dust and helps you to keep your rabbit’s cage clean and dry. It is highly absorbent and also helps to control odors from urine.
It can be used for many small mammals including rabbits and is useful for spot training. It is made from natural minerals and is capable of absorbing ten times its own weight in liquid. This litter cannot be flushed down the lavatory, it must be disposed of in the household garbage. Check with your vet before using clay litter for your small mammal.
Absorbs ten times its own weight in liquid
Controls odor
Made from natural minerals
Little dust
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100079488
- Weight: 7.94 pounds
Soaks up every drop of urine
Makes litter tray training easier
Pets like the texture
Eliminates smells
Tends to stick to the bottom of the litter tray
Becomes mushy when wet
A totally natural product that is a blend of shavings from spruce, fir and pine. You may want to check that it has been kiln dried for added safety but the description states that there are no aromatic oils.
This litter is absorbent and helps to control odor, yet it is scent free to avoid irritating your rabbit’s respiratory system. There is also very little dust which can also cause health problems. When you clean out your rabbit’s cage, this litter can be composted as it is biodegradable.
Blend of shavings from spruce, fir and pine
No aromatic oils
Controls odor
No artificial fragrances
- Brand: SO PHRESH
- Model: B013GL95KU
- Weight: 12.2 pounds
Animals love it
Very little dust
Long lasting
Not sharp or hard
Cannot be flushed away
Not as soft as paper products
These natural aspen shavings have been kiln-dried so there is no health risk from aromatic compounds. They have also been produced from logs and so do not contain any of the fibers which can be potentially dangerous.
This high-quality rabbit litter has no additives at all and is completely natural. When you clean out your rabbit’s cage, you can compost the soiled litter so it is also great for the environment.
Natural aspen shavings
No dangerous fibers
Kiln dried to remove aromatic compounds
Can be composted
- Brand: Small Pet Select
- Model: 611138712262
- Weight: 14 pounds
Lasts longer than paper bedding
Increases time between cage cleans
Environmentally friendly
Natural
Some dust is produced
No as absorbent as paper litter
Best Litter For Rabbits Buying Guide & FAQ
Things to Consider When Buying Best Litter for Rabbits
It can be confusing when you are trying to choose the best litter for your rabbit. Some products can be used for bunny bedding in sleeping areas and for litter trays but others are only suitable for one or the other. Here are some of the main things that you should consider before you make a purchase.
- Is it safe? Small mammals, such as rabbits, are very sensitive to the chemicals that can be found in litters. Be especially careful with softwood (pine and cedar) shavings as they contain substances that can harm your rabbit’s liver and lungs. Also, try to buy natural products that do not use artificial fragrances and dyes.
- Is it absorbent? It is vital that the litter can absorb fluids. This keeps pee and poop away from the cage floor and makes it much easier to clean it out.
- Will it eliminate odors? Odors can be a nuisance in a rabbit cage as the ammonia in urine can cause a pungent and unpleasant smell. Litters that can absorb odors are always a good idea, especially if you are keeping a rabbit indoors.
- Will it create dust? Litters that produce a lot of dust are not good for your rabbit and no good for you. Always choose a dust-free product.
- How easy is it to clean out? If the litter falls apart when it has been soiled with pee and poop, then it can be hard to clean out the cage. It is best if the litter stays in clumps which are easy to remove.
- How will you dispose of it? Some litters can be composted because they are biodegradable and this is always a desirable feature. Others can be flushed down the toilet but it may be worth checking with the authorities that this is appropriate in your area.
Types of Rabbit Bedding
There are several different types of rabbit bedding and they all have advantages and disadvantages. Some products can be used in nesting boxes and in litter trays whilst others can only be used in one or the other. Here is a round-up of the main types.
- Compressed pellets. These are often made from recycled cardboard so when you buy them you are also helping the environment. They are very clean and convenient to store and are highly absorbent. They may crumble when they get wet and some rabbits do not like walking on them. They are not soft enough for sleeping on.
- Straw. This is ideal for bedding as rabbits can make a nest in it. However, it is not suitable for litter trays as it will not absorb liquids or odors.
- Wood shavings. You need to be careful about the type of wood that you use as some aromatic soft woods are not good for rabbits. Wood shavings would only be suitable for litter trays. Choose a kiln-dried product that does not contain any aromatic hydrocarbons.
- Hay. This is primarily a food for rabbits but some hay is suitable as rabbit bedding for sleeping areas. It is no good for litter trays.
- Paper products. These can be made from recycled cardboard or paper and are good for the environment. They are very absorbent but do not last as long as wooden pellet litter.
Take a look at our article on Hay for Rabbits.
How to Litter Train a Bunny
It is not actually that difficult to train your rabbit to use a litter tray. In fact, rabbits prefer to pee and poop in the same location every time. Sometimes, your bunny will have already selected an area of your home or of the cage where they prefer to pee and poop. It is just a matter of putting the bunny litter box in this area and the job is done!
However, if they have selected an area of your home that you are not happy with, you will have to persuade them to move their toilet area! You could try placing the litter tray in their chosen area and then very gradually move it to where you want it to be. Or, you could try placing some soiled litter in the pan in the new location so your bunny identifies it as the designated toilet. If you keep your rabbit in a more confined area with the litter tray for a few days, it can help things along. Also, some owners find that it helps if you add a small handful of hay to one side of the box. Clean out the bunny litter tray regularly so that it is an inviting area for your bunny to visit.
Best Litter For Rabbits FAQ:
Q: Can I Use Cat Litter for My Bunny?
A: There are many types of cat litter available and it may be tempting to use it for your rabbit but this is something that you should never do. Cat litter can cause a lot of harm if it is consumed by rabbits and sadly many rabbits will be tempted to nibble it.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has warned that clay and silica cat litter in particular can be the cause of digestive problems in rabbits. One serious potential issue is intestinal blockages. Also, cat litter tends to produce a lot of dust and this will enter your rabbit’s body through their mouth and nose. This can result in breathing issues which can be serious.
Q: Is Pine Litter Safe For Rabbits?
A: There has been a lot of controversy regarding the use of pine shavings as litter for rabbits and guinea pigs. The concern has arisen because Pine is an aromatic softwood and the aroma is produced by chemicals called phenols. These can be inhaled by rabbits and are removed from their bloodstream by the liver. This puts a strain on the liver and it has been suggested that this can cause liver problems and interfere with the effectiveness of some drugs.
However, there are many rabbit owners and breeders who do not agree with this. Also, heat-treated pine litter is not thought to contain such high concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons and therefore is regarded as safe by most owners. Pine shavings that have not been heat treated will have a strong smell of pine when you open the packet.
If you are still concerned then there are plenty of products that do not contain pine available.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick of the best litter for rabbits is produced from reclaimed natural fiber. It is a paper product which is soft and comfortable for bunnies yet is also highly absorbent to keep cages clean and dry.
This paper bedding for rabbits also absorbs odors for up to 10 days and produces very little dust so it is easy to clean out the cage. As well as using it in a rabbit toilet, you can also use it for other small mammal pets.
Source:
- Helen Anne Travis, How to Train a Rabbit, PetMD
