Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Is shredded paper safe as rabbit bedding?

Can I use the paper in my paper shredder as bedding for my rabbit in place of regular rabbit bedding that is bought in stores? If not, what is the cleanest and easiest bedding for an indoor rabbit cage?Is shredded paper safe as rabbit bedding?
I would suggest against it. When i got my rabbit the pet shop also had shredded newspaper in the cage so i used the same after i took her home but i noticed that she liked to eat the paper. i don't think the ink is good to be eaten. they best thin to use is hay for rabbits that can be bought at the pet shop. I used to buy if for $6 a bag which lasted for about a month so that is pretty cheap. It is also safe for them to eat.Is shredded paper safe as rabbit bedding?
For most rabbits, I recommend using a layer of newspaper between the litter-box and the litter itself. The exception would be for a rabbit who insists on shredding the soiled newspaper and tossing it outside the box! Newspaper is both inexpensive and absorbent and can help reduce the amount of litter you need to use. If you don't subscribe to a newspaper, you probably have a friend or neighbor who would be happy to let you dispose of his papers! If you are willing to change the litter-box more frequently, you may be able to get by with newspaper alone with no need to purchase - and dispose of - expensive and often heavy litters.


Some of the most popular options include:





Paper Pulp or Recycled Newspaper Litters


Paper-pulp products (e.g., CareFRESH) and recycled newspaper litters (e.g., Yesterday's News, Eco- Fresh) are absorbent and control odor well. They are safe if ingested (in reasonable quantities).





Compressed Sawdust Pellets


Wood stove pellets, available in many parts of the country for winter heating, make an economical, alternative to litters like Yesterday's News. Most brands are safe, but a few contain lighter fluid, so be sure to ask about this and read the label (avoid anything that says ';fastlighting,'; no matter what a store clerk tells you!). If wood stove pellets are not available where you live, Feline Pine litter is a similar product. Both are absorbent and control odor well.





Pelleted Plant Fiber Litter


Cat Country is a pelleted litter made primarily from plant fibers. It is absorbent and controls odor well.


Aspen


Aspen litter comes in both a pelleted form (Aspen Supreme) and a shaved wood product that looks similar to pine and cedar bedding but is safe for rabbits. These litters are absorbent and control odors well.





Food Pellets


Some people use food pellets as litter. They control odor relatively well and are certainly safe for your rabbit to eat, though they may not be the best choice for an overweight rabbit. It is critical that wet pellets not be allowed to mold, since mold is extremely toxic to rabbits.





Newspaper and/or Shredded Paper


Newspaper and/or shredded paper provides an economical alternative to purchased litters. They are absorbent but do little to control odor, so boxes need to be changed more frequently than with other litters. If you like the idea of shredded paper, you may be able to get an ample supply from your employer. If he has any concerns about the ';security risk'; of sending the shredded paper home with you, remind him that you will be adding security since no one is going to attempt to reassemble it once your rabbits have used it!





For your rabbit's health and safety, please avoid the following types of litter:





Clumping litters


If your rabbit nibbles this type of litter, it is likely to clump in his digestive tract, causing an obstruction, which can lead to death.





Pine and cedar shavings


The fumes from pine and cedar shavings have been linked to both respiratory problems and liver damage in rabbits.





CatWorks litter


CatWorks has been linked to zinc poisoning in rabbits.





Corn cob Litter


Like clumping litter, if your rabbit nibbles on it, corn cob litter can cause a lethal blockage.





Clay litters


Clay litters should be avoided unless you use a grated litter-box that prevents your rabbit from digging in the litter itself. Clay litters are extremely dusty, and the dust can cause respiratory problems. The deodorant crystals found in many clay litters are also toxic. i hope this helps i also have 6 rabits . great question . -B-
yes its fine
What do yo mean by bedding? If your rabbit is litter box trained then you don't need bedding. Just use a hand towel or other appropriately sized towel for your rabbit to snuggle on if you want him to have something soft to lay on.





I use pelleted wood cat litter for litter boxes. It's cheap, turns to dust and puffs up when it gets wet so it is distinctive from the clean litter and can be scooped out. I don't like the pelleted newspaper. It just get soggy and gross and there is not good air getting in there so it stinks faster.





Either for bedding or for litter I think you'll find that shredded paper is neither very absorbent or sanitary. I drives me nuts when I see that someone has put in shredded paper into the rabbit pens at our shelter. It just makes a mess.





If your rabbit is not litter box trained then I recommend using layers of two or three whole sheets of newspaper and laying them flat. Clean out your rabbit's pen daily or when it's soiled.
You can use shredded paper with no ink on it. But it will stink up the house. I suggest CareFresh Pet Bedding. I have used it for over 4 years and I have never had a problem with it. Its safe natural and has odor control.

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