Choosing the right bedding for rabbits is important. It should offer the rabbit comfort, absorbency, and control of odors. It should also be safe to eat. While it can be tempting to buy a soft bed for your pet, choosing materials that are safe for your bunny is important.
Hay is a common option for rabbits. However, hay can become moldy, so ensure your bunny gets the best quality hay. Also, remember that hay isn’t very absorbent, so it must be changed frequently.
Paper is another good option for rabbit bedding. There are many types of paper bedding available. They can be made from household paper, and some can even be specially designed for bunnies. Typically, paper is virtually dust free and will not hurt your bunny through digestion.
Fleece is another popular choice for indoor bedding. This very soft and durable material is great for litter-trained rabbits. However, it is more expensive and requires a lot of maintenance.
Wood pellets are an inexpensive choice for rabbit bedding. However, they must be cleaned thoroughly, as they can become dusty when wet. Unlike hay, wood pellets are naturally formed. The only issue is that they can be too heavy for larger cages.
Cardboard is a good choice for absorbent bedding. It is biodegradable and can be recycled. Be sure to remove staples from the cardboard, though. Usually, cardboard bedding is made from recycled paper. When wet, it expands but is lighter than hay and wood pellets.
Another type of bedding for rabbits is aspen. These shavings are softer than other bedding options, but they are absorbent. You can find reputable sources that sell aspen shavings, usually dust-free.
Pine is another alternative, but it can be hazardous to your rabbit’s health. It contains chemicals called phenols, which can affect the respiratory system. In addition, untreated pine can contain toxins. Furthermore, rabbits are sensitive to phenols, so avoid using pine for bedding.
Straw is another acceptable material for bedding. However, the straw is a lot dryer than other alternatives, so you may need to change the bedding more often. If you’re buying straws, look for one that is 100% natural.
Another type of bedding material is cotton towels. Old towels make a nice, soft place for your bunny to lie. But, they must be checked regularly for frayed edges. Even if your bunny has been trained to use a litter box, it’s still important to ensure the towel is clean. Nagging on the fibers can cause digestive disorders in rabbits, so you should check on the towel periodically.
Other bedding materials include dried grass mats, which can be very difficult to clean. Newspaper is also a common rabbit bedding material and can be used as a liner. Some newspaper is edible, so you should always be careful about what you feed your bunny.
