Rabbit litter

I am thinking that it has been quite a while since we really revisited the issue of litters that we use for our rabbits and why. I think the last time we really discussed it properly was when Jay first trialled smartbedz.

It has been a matter of concern for me recently as I have been looking a new litter that suits both rabbits and G.P.s The two set ups have different requirements. The rabbits being indoors with a small (comparatively) litter tray. The G.P.s require litter throughout their 6ft hutch. The rabbits need some odour control being indoors, the G.P.s require excellent absorption as they need to stay dry and warm in colder weather periods.

I have been using Megazorb for quite a while now. It is fairly good at keeping the pigs themselves dry but the paper underneath it often gets sodden which cannot be good for the pigs. Used without fleece or vetbed on top it can cause them to get urine scalded feet. In the house the rabbits often pick the megazorb up on their fur and track it around.

I have recently tried Smartbedz with a view to using the horse bedding version if it was a success (for value for money reasons). Initially I was worried because the rabbits were eating it, but I checked the website which said as the straw pellets doe not expand as such they are safe to eat. I also saw on the website a 'how to use' video. The lady was showing how a tray of the pellets could last her single bun for 10 days with a little daily poo picking. Sounds good. I put a thick layer in the pigs hutch with some vetbed on top. And a decent layer in the buns litter tray with their hay rack hung above. The buns lasted 3 days before they were quite smelly. They did so many poos on a daily basis that it was impossible to pick them out from the pellets! The pigs did better with the vetbed on top, but I found in their sleeping box where they do most peeing the wet pellets had begun to grow mould within a week, despite not feeling very wet. So I don't think they are going to win the idea litter crown either.

So am am going to encourage you all to share with the forum what litter you use, how you use it, it's good points and it's bad points. I would be especially keen to hear about any new products or any new products that you have discovered that work well for buns although not marketed for them (like megazorb).

I use the wood pellet cat litter for both the cats and the bunnies. I find it very good, very absorbent and keeps smell down well too. They then have hay on top of that. I do a full litter change twice a week.

Many moons ago when I had piggies I used it for them too and was always happy with it.

It has the added bonus of being quite heavy, so the buns are less likely to tip the tray over.

We use magazorb for the rabbits and the two guinea pigs that board with us and I put newspaper down and a thick layer of megazorb then hay.

With having so many rabbits we find megazorb more cheaper to use.

I use the back 2 nature small animal bedding for Hector, it absorbs really well and the top stays dry too, but I think it would work out really expensive for you if you were using it for the piggies and the buns.

I tried wooden litter when Molly and Junior were first here but it was costing me a bomb. They pee so much that a bag would only last a few days

We currently use megazorb. I'm not particularly happy with it, so I'll also be watching this thread with interest. I don't like how it gets tracked ALL OVER the house. It's worse than the blimmin hay!!!! And I don't like how dusty it is. It's not dusty in their trays (well, I don't think it is but I'm never in the litter trays, obviously ) but I find it VERY dusty when transferring it from the bag to the trays and from the trays to the bin. I clean the trays out twice a day.

The only reason I've stuck with it is because its great value for money. I can't find anything else that even comes close!

We get the 30l bags from pets at home or Jollyes - 2 for £16. They seem to last us well between the cats and the bunnies.

I have added in a poll with option of multiple answers (I think).

I use Megazorb here. I'm lucky enough to buy it locally for about £6.50 a bag. Even when I used to pay about £12 a bag (including postage) from the Hay Experts over a year ago I still thought it represented good value.

Prior to learning about Megazorb I used the wood pellet cat litter but found with house rabbits we seemed to have damp sawdust on the rabbits' feet/back end transferring to the carpet so was really happy to find Megazorb and be rid of that problem.

I'd still be interested in trialling other products though if something is highly recommended by others.

I picked odour control and absorption, but I'm fortunate with only having one bun that I don't have to worry too much about cost.

Cheryl!! You didn't put "stays the hell in the tray and off my carpet" as an option

I gave up using litter a long time ago as I couldn't see any advantage to using it with my six outdoor buns. I use newspaper in the litter trays with farm hay on top. I replace the paper and hay every morning. The buns also have hay racks with the more expensive hay in which are topped up 2 or 3 times a day.
The buns seem to produce so many poops between them which is why they have fresh litter trays every day and therefore no need for litter. I have a couple of friends who save newspapers for me so there is no expense there.

Thumper2001 wrote:Cheryl!! You didn't put "stays the hell in the tray and off my carpet" as an option

Apologies!

I am interested also for those of you with hay and newspaper buns what sot of bun you have and whether they have any feet problems. When Flo - who is a rex cross so predisposed to feet problems - had her sore hocks last year one of the things that I considered had possible contributed to the problem was that I was not using litter at that point. I became concerned that she was peeing on the newspaper and it did not absorb it fast enough leading to urine scald type damage. It did not affect Bruce because he has much thicker foot fur.

I tried smartCatz paper cat litter before moving onto megazorb. It was similar, but a better quality - a lot less dusty - however it was much more expensive.

I mainly moved too megazorb because it was similar but much cheaper but the quality a of this was better.

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/Products/CN191001/spatrek-smart-cat-100-recycled-paper-cat-litter

i just use non clumping wood based cat litter. Mainly because of the fact its cheaper and does not get spread all over my carpet. Marshall is a bit of a speedy bun and jumping out of his litter tray at high speed means litter flung everywhere. It also works out cheaper as megazorb costs more with shipping ect

Zo wrote:I use the back 2 nature small animal bedding for Hector, it absorbs really well and the top stays dry too, but I think it would work out really expensive for you if you were using it for the piggies and the buns.

I use back 2 nature as well, it is very absorbent and very good odour control. It doesn't stick to the buns either so stays in the litter box. Only downside is its very difficult to pick all the poos off the top and its quite expensive now we have the two with the much larger litter box.

I usually use Rapport for my pony and its excellent, I would like to try that with the buns (will have to find out if its safe first) but its currently out of season and I'm having to use rubbish dust extracted shavings

I have previously tried one of the miscanthus beddings - i don't know if they are similar - and found it even messier than megazorb.

Or a litter that would make them go IN the litter box instead of beside it! That would be wonderful!

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:

I am interested also for those of you with hay and newspaper buns what sot of bun you have and whether they have any feet problems. When Flo - who is a rex cross so predisposed to feet problems - had her sore hocks last year one of the things that I considered had possible contributed to the problem was that I was not using litter at that point. I became concerned that she was peeing on the newspaper and it did not absorb it fast enough leading to urine scald type damage. It did not affect Bruce because he has much thicker foot fur.

I use so much hay in the litter trays that it is unlikely that the bun's feet come into contact with the newspaper. This means I do end up throwing a fair bit of hay away, but this is the farm hay which costs £6 a bale and lasts 6-8 weeks so it is not a huge outlay in the grand scheme of things.

Like Sixer, I only use newspaper and loads of hay and I change the litter trays every morning.

(Touching wood), none of the six rabbits I have kept have ever had a problem with sore feet or hocks. I did keep a close eye on Sasha and Barley as they are the first buns indoors, but I haven't had a problem with them either.

I suppose it depends on the rabbit. If you have a bunny with delicate feet then it might not be the best option for them.

I use megazorb, I can't really complain about it, I don't really experience many issues with it being slung everywhere (I'm going to regret saying that aren't I....)

Rachel&Nibbler wrote:I use megazorb, I can't really complain about it, I don't really experience many issues with it being slung everywhere (I'm going to regret saying that aren't I....)

Yes