Kids play sand?

Hiya all

Well ok, no I am not going mad, Fudge is going through a "I want to be digging like a proper bunny" phase at the moment and given he is a house bunny there is only so much shredded paper he will dig in. My friend has given me a lovely big garden tub type thing with handles and was wondering if I could fill it with something for him to dig in properly. He would always be supervised, but I was wondering if I could use something like childrens play sand given it will be in the dinining on a waterproof backed picnic mat?

I don't really wnat to have to go raid a garden for soil so was wondering if this would be a good alternative? ANd no I am not going to go to the local beach and pinch it from there!

OK yes I am mad and my bunny is totally pampered but I just want to continue giving him fun stuff to do!

*especially if it means he doesn't eat the wallpaper in the lounge!

Personally I wouldn't use sand, if they get it in their eyes it can cause infections and that would worry me, there must be something else you could use, are you sure you wouldn't use soil, that would be cheap and real for him to dig in?

*feels totally stupid at even suggesting it now, didn't think about it getting in his eyes....

I was a little worried about soil incase it had creepy crawlies/parasites etc in with it being in the dining. I also didn't want anything that other creatures may have piddled in.....now where to get cheap 'clean' soil from.....

A bag of compost?

fluffiebunnie wrote:A bag of compost?

thats a possible and if he decides he doesn't like it I can use it for repotting etc.......

is there anything in compost that I should be wary of?

*looks to Snowy for guidance....ps the olive oil did the trick!!my vet was very impressed!

wonders if you guys think I am totally bonkers asking about stuff he can dig in indoors!

Pampered Bun I'm not showing this thread to my lot or they too will want a digging area. So far none off my lot or fosters are diggers so garden looking ok (Touches Wood In Case Spoke to Soon).

But defo a good idea and one to keep in mind. Old kids sand tray and soil.

How about one of those huge underbed storage container with the high sides on a piece of tarpaulin or something similar filled with the compost? I was going to say the same as Snowy about the sand. Another possible substrate is wood chipping but it's not as fun to dig in as, well, dirt!

John Innes No. 1 potting compost is quite soiley (is that a word!) and not as light and floataway as peat. You could try that although it might be pricey to fill a big container.

If you do go with ordinary garden soil, you could dig out the first 4 or 5 inches off the top and that should ensure that it is 'clean' soil you are getting. Good luck!

Our Dusty loves a good dig when he is in doors he digs in cat litter the wood based stuff ant that works a treat and it can easelty swept up or hovered

How about a big box filled with newspapers? Or maybe kitchen towels if that makes you feel better

We use white sand mind you, and never worry a bit

Dan wrote:Our Dusty loves a good dig when he is in doors he digs in cat litter the wood based stuff ant that works a treat and it can easelty swept up or hovered

I did think about this but given he has it in his litter tray I don't want the digging space to turn into a giant Bunny toilet! He has been digging in his litter tray, he can send soiled wood based cat litter in every direction quite well and looks really impressed with himself when he does it!

lopz wrote:How about a big box filled with newspapers? Or maybe kitchen towels if that makes you feel better

We use white sand mind you, and never worry a bit

Lopz he has has some boxes of shredded newspaper and fleece blankets and it just doesn't seem to do it for him anymore so hence considering the box with 'dirt' for him to shift and dig in!

Dixie-I will tell Fudge not to let Bob, Dixie, Lupin or the Fosters for that matter that as an indoor Bunny you can dig...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm now where to get some 'clean' soil from.....wonders if she speaks nicely to Fudge's Grandpa or Grandma or perhaps even freecycle.......

Thanks for the suggestions though, I really hope don't think I am bonkers....well not totally bonkers...

FudgesMummy wrote:*feels totally stupid at even suggesting it now, didn't think about it getting in his eyes....

I was a little worried about soil incase it had creepy crawlies/parasites etc in with it being in the dining. I also didn't want anything that other creatures may have piddled in.....now where to get cheap 'clean' soil from.....

I just buy soil from B&Q, whatever one is cheapest or on special offer Mine only dig in stuff they know they will get dirty in I would be too scared of sand like others have said with their eyes x

Still not managed to buy anything yet for his Lordship to dig in...did have one friend suggest the woodshavings like he had as a baby bunny....but I was a little apprenhensive in case he caught his eyes or soemthing...perhaps I am just ebing paranoid Bunny Mummy!

I may have a nose in Wilkinsons to see what deals they have on compost....mmmmmm..................compost vs wood shavings!

Mix them together problem solved

Dan wrote:Mix them together problem solved

SMART ****!!!

although will see what suggestions the oracles of HH put forward

Did you get it sorted for our gorgeous Fudge?

Asda are selling 15 litres of compost for a pound at the moment. A few bags of them?

I opted for Sawdust bedding type stuff...and at moment is in a litter tray with higher sides....it seems to be doing the job!

Thanks for the info Zoe unfortunately as we don't have an Asda in Scarborough!

Great! , let us know how it goes

No Asda

Ooh lets hope he doesnt make too much mess

what about bark(the stuff that they put in kids play areas)