Here at Hobby Farm Heaven we raise rabbits outside in sheltered hutches. However, we know many people who have house rabbits and they wonder about what kind of litter they can use for training a house rabbit to use a litter box.
The most frequent question is, “Can Rabbits Use Cat Litter?”
Our answer is – it depends. Yes, some cat litters are safe for rabbits. However, please be cautious and pay attention to the content of the litter.
Many cat litters include chemicals that are not suitable for your rabbit. Additionally, your rabbit may ingest some of the litter wich is incredibly harmful. When in doubt, you can consult your rabbit savvy veterinarian.
Can Rabbits Use Cat Litter
Here’s some more elaboration on why many cat litters are not healthy for rabbits.
Many of the cat litters on the market are designed to absorb moisture and clump. This makes it easier for the owner to use a slotted spoon or rake and remove the clumped litter and urine from the litter box. So, what’s the problem?
Well, cats do not tend to nibble at their litter, but rabbits do tend to nibble at their litter. A rabbit that eats just a tad too much litter may find that the litter clumps in its stomach, absorbing stomach fluids, and create blockages; no bueno for Mr. Bunny!
Below we address more specifics on what to use and what not to use for rabbit litter!
What To Use In Rabbit Litter Box
When talking about litter for a litter box, practicality, absorbency and lack of risky compounds or chemicals are the key elements to focus on.
Practical – Is it easy to obtain and use? Is the litter easy to clean up and change? For example: It’s not practical to make your own aspen shavings from aspen trees that you ship in from oregon! It may be practical to purchase clean aspen shavings at the pet store.
Absorbent – Absorbent material is key! You may have access to some low cost or even free wood chips but are they absorbent enough to be effective in a litter box.
No Harm – Rabbits have sensitive digestive and respiratory systems. Too often artificially scented litters will aggravate a rabbit’s systems. Additionally, even “natural” compounds found in some litters may aggravate your rabbit. As noted, your rabbit may ingest some of the litter, so your detailed understanding of the contents is very important.
Generally, when we’re talking about “no harm” rabbit litter, less is more and sticking with the basics is a good rule of thumb for the long haul.
What Rabbit Litter Is Best?
Every year there are more and more small animal litter products available and those many choices may seem overwhelming. Barring a solid recommendation from someone you now and trust, the key is to read the labels. Stay away from products that are scented or full of absorbent chemicals. You want to use naturally absorbent materials. We recommend you steer towards:
Aspen Shavings – Although not as absorbent as paper, they are natural, less processed, and do not harm your rabbit.
Sawdust Pellets – These are made from sawdust that is pressed or extruded to form absorbent pellets. They are less processed than the paper pellets but typically not as absorbent as the paper pellets.
Paper Pellets – These are typically made from recycled paper that is pressed or extruded to form absorbent pellets. They generally do a good job, but they are highly processed. Making paper and recycling paper involves many chemicals. Using paper pellets is the “sweet spot” for many owners of house rabbits.
Paper Bedding – There are paper based bedding products for rabbits. Generally, these are thinner and not as absorbent as pellets. Again, this is a highly processed product.
Shredded Paper – Using shredded paper is likely the cheapest option. Someone with a shredder can make their own litter. Again, paper is a highly processed product.
In Summary: Although paper based products are probably the most convenient, we urge you to try the aspen shaving, as they are the least processed and the most natural.
Types of Litter That Are Not Rabbit Safe Litter
We urge you to avoid any litter for which you do not understand its contents.
We’re concerned about long term exposure, including ingesting and breathing in chemicals and dust. Your rabbit may not immediately object to the litter you are using, but over time, with prolonged exposure, your rabbit may begin to show signs of illness.
Here are some types of rabbit litter to avoid:
Scented – Many of the scented litters use chemicals that are not safe for prolonged exposure, let alone ingestion.
Pine or Cedar Shavings/Sawdust – Some studies indicate that some chemicals in pine and cedar (phenols) can cause liver damage in rabbits. Again, a prolonged exposure issue.
Clay Based – Clay is still a very common cat litter. It clumps when exposed to moisture. If your rabbit ingests too much, then it could cause severe issues in the rabbit’s digestive system.
Dusty – If the litter is at all dusty, then with prolonged exposure, it is likely to irritate your bunny’s respiratory system.
How Big Is Rabbit Litter Box?
An adequate sized litter box is one in which your rabbit can stretch and still be in the litter box. Many of the corner litter boxes that are advertised for rabbits are actually too small. We recommend you use a full sized cat litter box for your rabbit. With a full sized box, your rabbit is more likely to “hit the bulls-eye” when he pees and poops!
How Much Rabbit Litter Should I Put In My Rarbbit’s Litter Box?
How much you need will mostly depend on the type of litter you are using. If using a less absorbent litter, such as wood shavings, then you will need to use more. A good place to start is with about an inch of litter throughout the entire litter box. Over time, as you clean out the litter box, you’ll come to understand how much is the right amount.
Similarly, if you have a larger rabbit, then it will urinate more volume and may require more litter.
Adequately soaking up urine will help ensure that your rabbit’s feet and bottom do not become stained by urine or irritated by urine scalding.
Cats bury their poop in the litter box, but rabbits do not. For rabbits you need enough litter to absorb the rabbit’s pee; decreasing urine smells and increasing hygiene for your rabbit.
How Often Do I Clean The Rabbit Litter Box
The frequency for cleaning the rabbit litter box and replacing the litter depends largely on how many rabbits are using the litter box.
Here is an article on How Often Do Rabbits Poop?
However, a good rule of thumb is to scoop out poop and soiled litter every day; and then thoroughly clean the litter box weekly, or more frequently if you can smell the litter box. For house rabbits, this is part of the daily health check that we repeatedly recommend.
Rabbits are fastidious! Providing a clean litter box will help your rabbit keep peeing in the litter box as opposed to not using a dirty litter box
* Setting up a cleaning route in key!
How to Clean A Rabbit Litter Box
To clean the rabbit litter box:
- Use a pet safe cleaner or make your own using equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Dump the litter into the trash – or better yet, into your compost bin. Rabbit poop and rabbit urine are great soil amendments and fertilizers for plants as Rabbit Manure Tea.
- Then thoroughly wash the litter tray with your rabbit safe cleaner. Let the tray dry and it’s ready for fresh litter and continued use.
How Close Is The Rabbit Litter Box To The Rabbit’s Food
This one is a bit tricky. Rabbits like to relieve themselves while they eat… material in and material out. Further, rabbits will often pick one corner of their living area and then fairly consistently use it for peeing and pooping.
If the rabbit litter box is too far from the rabbit’s food station, then it will be harder to train your rabbit to use the litter box and use it consistently. And if the litter box is too close to the rabbit’s food station, then some litter may end up in the water or food bowls.
Having the rabbit litter box close to the rabbit food station, but not too close, is usually a good setup. The best setup is one in which the rabbit can both eat and poop at the same time. So, consider placing a hay feeder adjacent to the litter box.
Types of Rabbit Litter On The Market
Again, there are many types of small animal litter on the market. You can easily find these at the big box stores, pet stores, and online via amazon and other online retailers.
Small Pet Select – Has natural paper bedding (pelleted) and unbleached white paper bedding, along with an Aspen Shavings product.
Kaytee – Has small animal Critter Litter, wood pellets.
Oxbow – Has Eco-Straw Wheat Litter – listed as all natural and dust-free (discouraged by some because the rabbits tend to nibble on the straw).
Vitakraft – Offers crumble bedding.
Carefresh – Has dust-free natural paper bedding.
Freshnews – Offers recycled paper bedding.
Sunseed – Offers corn cob based bedding (discouraged my some).
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Is Cat Litter Safe For Rabbits
How To Litter Train A Rabbit
Here is a link to the House Rabbit Society’s wonderful page on this topic of litter training a rabbit!
And here is a video from Lennon The Bunny about How To Potty Train Your Rabbit
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Use Cat Litter
As for what kind of litter to use with your rabbit, we strongly recommend that you start with a recommendation from a rabbit owner that you know and trust.
Our view on rabbit litter is: Basic is Better and Less is More. Prolonged exposure to chemicals, and some natural compounds, can eventually have a cumulative negative effect on your bunny.
We’ve always promoted hygiene and daily health checks. The rabbit litter box is just another part of the daily health check.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to shift gears and try another litter. Over time your rabbit may develop a dislike for the litter you use. We don’t want to change types or brands of litter often, but if you can articulate a reason to change (cost, ease of use, less aggravation for your rabbit, etc) then give a new litter a try.