Is it better to use litter or hay for a bunny litter box?
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 at
9:24 pm
I have always used litter, but I work at a pet store that uses hay. I have five dwarfs, and the litter has been okay – I mean they sometimes go where they feel instead- but overall good. Today I tried the hay and they didn’t go anywhere but the box. So that was good, but I felt like I was wasting so much hay when I cleaned it out. I’m worried that they just went potty in it and didn’t get enough hay to eat… Some help please?
Filed under: Cat Litter
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hay
Many people have had great results using not clumping, not clay based litter for there rabbits. Rabbits like to eat hay while there in the box, so you can use litter, then but hay in the part of the box that (s)he doesn’t use. this saves money in hay, and also keeps your rabbit on track in the litter box.
Also, if you need a cheep litter, then try using Heat Pellets. They can be found at Home Depot, and are only 3.50 for a 40lb bag of compressed, wooden pellets. They are absorbent and don’t get all over like some litters can.
Hay is fine, litter is okay if it’s the wood shavings kind (although not cedar shavings). Litter like that found in a cat’s litter box can be dangerous because bunnies can dig and ingest it.
I think I read somewhere that they won’t eat soiled hay if there’s fresh stuff available, so just make sure you’re giving them an alternative to what’s in the box, if you’re going to stick with hay.
Or you can mix the two, if you like. Throw some hay in there to coax them in and keep them there.
Hi,
I have a litter box which I fill with newspapers and then a little bit of hay which is how they like it. Then I have a hay hanger for them to pull down hay to eat. It keeps the cage cleaner because they only eliminate in the litter box and most days I only have to change the paper and hay in the box. Try it. I learned this from A bunny rescue that told me to try it. They also said you can keep a bunny in a dog crate if you have the room.
I litter box trained by rabbit, and had great results using traditional litter. The main tactic is to make sure the litter box is placed in the area that they usually go to the bathroom. As you start using the litter box, put some of the rabbits’ droppings in the box so they smell their scent. I’ve heard that using hay in the litter box could be dangerous, since the rabbits may eat it once it’s soiled…and that causes all sorts of problems. Good luck!