cedar and pine

Question
hi, I'm 10 years old with a rabbit,on some websites they say pine and cedar is bad for rabbits.but my rabbit is 13 weeks old and has been using cedar and pine for her litter box for a month now.i hope it doesn't do any damage to my bunny!!please list the damage it can do if it is really bad for rabbits.on that box it says that it is for rabbits, guinea pig ,and hamsters.

thanks for your time.

Answer
Dear Julia,

As we've learned time and again, just because a product lists itself as being good for rabbits (or any other species) doesn't mean it actually is good for them.  Cedar and pine bedding are prime examples.  Another good one is pellets filled with seeds, nuts, corn, dried fruit, etc.  Those are labeled for rabbits, but they are POISON for rabbits.

Yes, ditch the cedar and pine.  Replace the litterbox filler with pelleted pine sawdust (very different from shavings in terms of safety) covered with a soft layer of hay.  

Cedar and pine have aromatic compounds that can affect the liver and lungs, and they are definitely NOT good for your bunny or other animals.

For great information on how to litterbox train your bunny and make him one of the family (as much as a dog or cat!), please go to:

http://www.rabbit.org/care/new-bunny-index.html

and read the articles there.  There's so much to know about living with a bunny, and you've just begun a wonderful journey.  I hope this helps.

Good luck,

Dana