Can Rabbits Use Puppy Pee Pads?
Using pet pee pads with rabbits can be risky. Much depends on how the pads are used. IF the pee pad is made for rabbits and used properly then it is safe.
If the rabbit can nibble on the pad, then it is not safe!
Pet pee pads are designed to absorb and hold liquid away from your pet. If your rabbit nibbles on and ingests pieces of the pee pad, then the pieces of pee pad will absorb the rabbit’s stomach fluids and swell. In addition, your rabbit may ingest pieces of the plastic pad liner that it cannot digest.
As such, pee pads pose a threat to your rabbit if not properly used, as they will very likely cause pain and severe digestive issues, and may even kill the rabbit.
Cage liners are different than puppy pee pads.
Cage liners, when used properly, can be safe for your bunnies.
Below are some great videos about walking your rabbit on a leash & using grass!
What Chemicals Are In Puppy Pee Pads? Are Pet Pee Pads Safe For Bunnies?
Some pads have fragrance to help hide the smell of urine while others contain pheromones to attract dogs to pee on the pad. These chemicals may irritate your rabbit or cause an allergic reaction. There are also pads that use cotton gauze within, but most incorporate a superabsorbent compound to soak up the pee.
Officially, this superabsorbent compound (sodium polyacrylate polymeric hydrogel) is listed as non-toxic. However, this scientific study showed that at relatively high dosing, rats showed adverse effects and signs of neurotoxicity from ingesting the superabsorbent compound found in the typical puppy pee pad.
Further, the article presents the case of an adult dog that ate the superabsorbent compound and was immediately taken to the veterinarian by its owner (this was not an experiment; it was a real life case of a dog eating most of a puppy pee pad). The dog showed agitation, increased sensitivity to sound, ataxia (trouble with voluntary muscle movements such as walking), and intention tremors.
While the superabsorbent compound in pet pee pads is listed as non-toxic, clearly it is not meant to be ingested and may cause serious harm to our rabbits.
How To Safely Use Puppy Pee Pads With Rabbits
We do not recommend using puppy pee pads with rabbits. Instead, opt for an alternative. Be creative. Observe. Modify, and test again.
Puppy Pee Pad Below Cage
If your rabbit cage has short legs or can be raised off the floor by setting on wooden blocks or bricks, then you can place the puppy pee pad under the cage, ensuring that the rabbit cannot reach it.
Puppy Pee Pad as bottom layer of a multi-layer bedding system or arrangement
Some owners use the pee pad as the bottom layer of several layers. For example, some rabbit owners layer old towels on top of the pee pad and fleece on top of the old towels.
This is an effective way to wick nasty pee away from your rabbit, but there is still the risk that your rabbit may find and nibble on the pee pad.
Pet Pee Pad as bottom layer in Rabbit Litter Box
Other rabbits owners use a litter box for their rabbits. If using a litter box for your rabbit, then you probably are using a litter material in lieu of pet pee pads in the litter box.
If you are using puppy pee pads as the bottom layer in your rabbit litter box, then as described in this post, please be very careful that your rabbit can not nibble on the pee pad. We suggest deliberate layering of litter box material or towels and blankets, as described above.
Alternatives to Pet Pee Pads for Rabbits
If you have a house rabbit, then we like the idea of a combination solution. That is a combination of walking the rabbit on a leash and using a grass mat product, like Fresh Patch in your home.
Here is a cool video review of Fresh Patch.
We really like this alternative for rabbit potty time for those owners who can afford it.
Walking a Rabbit on leash? Yes, here is a very cute video to enjoy.
As a benefit, you get outside several times a day for a walk and fresh air!
Final Thoughts
As we’ve discussed, Bunnies that nibble on pee pads will not be bunnies for long.
The fragrances and pheromones found on some pee pads are not likely to harm your rabbit. You should observe your rabbit and make your own decisions, perhaps with advice from your veterinarian.
Remember, if ingested, the superabsorbent material inside the puppy pee pads and the thin plastic below them is very likely to harm your rabbit!
We prefer our rabbits in hutches and outside in a fenced in area and we do not use pet pee pads with our rabbits, the risk just seems too high. As they say, the juice is not worth the squeeze – keep those bunnies safe!
Cage liners that are made and used properly can be very safe for your bunny!