What type of bedding for my mini rabbits cage?

Question
Hi Lee,

Would you mind recommending some proper bedding for my mini rabbit?  She is apprx. 10 mo.'s old and I've been using pine bedding which appear to be shavings and I'm reading this may not be ideal for her!  Locally we have 1 pet store and a Walmart.  I noticed another type of bedding at Walmart that was more paper type bits.  I posed a question about my rabbit's paw pads looking like they have little bare spots and a small scabbed over sore on each of the hind ones.  Not sure what is causing that but hope to get an answer soon.  She was enjoying a ply board that I mounted in the cage but she isn't doing that lately.  I'm worried that the pine bedding might be irritating her, could it be the cause of problems to her feet as well?

Thank you for your time & advice!

Answer
Hi PeeWee's Mom,

I take it that's your rabbit's name?  I hope?  :)

Generally it is not good to use flooring or bedding that is the same that you use in their litterpan.  It just confuses them and they think the whole cage is a bathroom.

It is better to use a cat litterpan (small rectangle or larger rectangle, depending on size) and fill that with actual litter such as Yesterday's News (recycled paper pellets) or compressed wood stove fuel pellets.  Wood shavings can cause them respiratory and liver problems because of phenols that are in them.  Plus they may snack on them and you don't want them eating that wood.

Her paws are getting bare spots because of friction against hard surfaces wearing her fur away, and/or she is overweight and the extra weight is causing extra friction.

For the rest of her cage I would suggest the following, depending on what you want to use:  1) very soft cotton bath towels; 2) synthetic/natural wool pet bedding sheets; 3) synthetic animal medical bedding from Palace Pet Beds.

The back legs are getting bare spots that are what we call sore hocks.  The good news is they are scabbed over, so healing is taking place, but she will need softer surfaces in order for hair to come back.  If the bare areas look dry and are cracking, to keep the skin healthy, put some preparation H or diaper rash cream on the bare skin to keep it moist and help healing.

I'd put some bedding on the plywood board as well.

If she's overweight (if you look at her from the top, head in front, if she looks like a pear shape - narrow shoulders, larger legs/hips she's okay, but if she is more like a sausage, she's overweight and this is making the bare spots worse and she needs to go on a diet).

In short, up her hay, reduce pellets, and greatly reduce carrots and eliminate sugary/hi carb treats like oats, fruits, papaya pieces, etc.

For more diet/nutrition info, go to the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) and look up their many articles on this topic.

Lee