Bedding for Rabbits????

Question
Hi. How are you? I writing because I need to know if I can use shredded news paper for my rabbits cage. I have been using CareFresh but I'm a little low on money right now and well I don't want any harm to come to Fluffy. Any suggestions? Anything cheaper I can use? Don't get me wrong Carefresh does not cost a lot of money but I clean the cage 3 times a week and it runs me about 15.00 per week just for bedding. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Lauren

I am not really familiar with what care fresh is but there are other things you can use that will be much cheaper.  

I have a confetti paper shredder that I use to make litter for one of my rabbits.  I shred all my junk mail but I make sure to take off plastic on the envelopes that have plastic and also those dumb fake credit cards they put in there.  Anything else can be used.  You could shred newspaper also but you would have to cut it down to size so the paper wont get jammed.  Now I have used it for bedding also but unless your bunny is completely litter trained you are going to have to change it probably every other day.  Just a few tips if you are going to buy a paper shredder make sure you don't get a straight cut one.  The confetti works best but the cross cut can be used also.  They are more expensive but the initial investment is worth it.

Another thing you can use that is safe is aspen bedding.  It can be bought at most pet stores in the super large bale size for about $11.00.  I have one doe who is allergic to pine and she has to have aspen.  Her one bag lasts me about 2 or 3 months but I only change cages weekly.  Pine is not good for rabbits so don't use pine.  I only use it in the under pans and it doesn't directly touch the rabbit.

If Fluffy is litter trained you really don't need that much bedding.  Many of my plastic cages I just use a tiny bit of bedding and give them a nice seagrass mat to sleep on.  If Fluffy doesn't chew a lot you could get her a scrap of fleece at any store that sells fabric.  I usually just buy the remnants because I don't think they really care what color it is.  The only rabbits I don't give fleece to are the one's that try to eat it.

If Fluffy is not litter trained she can still be trained I am attaching an article that I helped my friend write just last night.  It tells you how to litter train and explains some things that we have used with older rabbits who have previously refused to use their litter boxes.  

http://www.freewebs.com/hgrabbitry/littertraining.htm

I hope I helped you Lauren.  Give Fluffy a big nose kiss for me and let me know if you have anymore questions.

Thank you so much

Pam

(If you like her site and think the litter training tips helped you please sign her guestbook.  She is trying to get as much input as she can so that she can help others.  ty so much)