Homemade litter - Safe for Rabbits? (+ Pee & Toy questions)

Question
Hi Dana!

I recently came across this recipe for homemade kitty litter, which involved soaking shredded newspaper in soapy water and rinsing to get rid of the ink, then drying it and crumbling it with baking soda for deodorizing properties.

Is this rabbit-safe? I read that baking soda or dust is unsafe for bunnies. Would it be different if I added the baking soda before drying the newspaper?

Also, is it true that the ammonia in rabbit pee, if left out too long, can damage their respiratory system?

My bunny always has drinking water, but he doesn't drink from it - and I thought this was ok, as I read that they usually all the water from the vegetables they eat - but then he started drinking his own pee. From time to time, he also has brownish-red pee, but then he pees clear after a while, so I didn't think much of it.

I was worried that he might be dehydrated, so I tried making him drink using a syringe in his mouth, but he was jerking so much, I was afraid he was going to break his bones.

Last question, though not really a major one - I've tried to put toilet paper cardboard rolls and tiny bells in his cage, but he won't play with them. I haven't noticed any behavior of his that would clue me in to what toy he might like, aside from his need to climb on to of things, which is a problem as there's not a lot to climb on when I put him in the cage at night.

Thank you very much, Dana. You have been my partner and guardian angel in caring for my bunny. I have you to thank for him still being with me.

Answer
Dear Mica,

Since rabbits are more likely than cats to chew on the litter, and most of them like a salty taste, I'm not sure I'd use this for a bunny. You could just do the recipe without the baking soda, which would reduce its odor-eating capacity, but it would probably be safer.

Baking soda isn't overtly toxic in small quantities, but it is an emetic (it foams up in the acidic environment of the stomach (just like that baking soda and vinegar volcano we all made for the 5th grade science fair) and makes you need to throw up).  Since rabbits cannot vomit, this could have very dangerous effects in a bunny.   I would avoid the baking soda.

A more expensive litter--but safe and very effective at absorbing odor--is pelleted sawdust litter such as Feline Pine (or Equine Pine or whatever is cheapest in your area) or wood stove pellets from Home Depot.  These can also be composted with the poop to enrich your garden. :)

If the litterbox hasn't been changed frequently enough, you'll notice the ammonia smell, and *no one* can enjoy that for long.  It's a noxious, toxic smell that shouldn't be allowed to develop.  Close contact with the fumes can cause damage over the long term.  Another reason to use pelleted sawdust, which kills the bacteria that break down the urine into its inorganic components, such as ammonia.

Many rabbits don't drink a lot, especially if the weather is cool.  As long as he's producing normal urine (dark pigmentation occasionally is nothing to worry about, but constant very dark urine could mean that he's dehydrated and could use the attention of a good rabbit vet), I wouldn't worry.  And I also have heard of a few rabbits who sip their pee.  Gross, but again, nothing to really concern you if he doesn't do it excessively.

As far as toys--it depends on the bunny's personality and preferences.  You might consider getting him an X-pen to sleep in at night, rather than a cage.  This can be about 36" high and have room for a chair or big box that you can equip with a traction-backed mat so he can jump  up without slipping.  Some bunnies just like to be high up to survey the world!  :)

Many bunnies also enjoy a clean cardboard box (glued into shape so there are no staples or tape) with a couple of holes cut in for access.  They'll spend hours digging and chewing and re-designing the architecture, and then nap in the box, too.  Never knew a bunny who didn't love a play box!  It should be big enough for bunny to crawl in and stretch out without being cramped.

Hope this will help!  :)  Noserubs to bunny from me!

Dana