The Best Litter for Rabbit Litter Boxes

Although it might seem like a small detail, the type of litter you use in your rabbit’s box is actually quite important. Using the wrong kind can lead to health issues for your rabbit or even cause them to stop using the litter box entirely.

That’s why I generally recommend using a paper-based, unscented litter for rabbits. Most paper litter brands that I’ve tried have high absorbency while also being safe for a rabbit’s digestive system and respiratory systems.

The Best Litter for Rabbits

Every year it seems like there are more and more options out there for litter. Some of it is marketed specifically for rabbits and small animals, while it seems like there is a hundred different kinds of kitty litter. It can be quite confusing to find the types of litter that are actually safe to use for your pet rabbit.

What I can say is, it does not matter whether there is a rabbit or a cat on the bag of litter, both can be fine for rabbits. However, you do want to check to make sure it’s an “unscented” type of litter, since rabbits have a more sensitive respiratory system than cats.

To help simplify your search, try one of these types of rabbit safe litter (remember to look for the unscented versions):

• Paper-based pelleted litter. My preferred type, these are typically made of recycled paper that is compressed into absorptive pellets. These paper-based pellet litters are great at absorbing rabbit urine, so you don’t need to use as much on a daily basis. Most brands also do a decent job at odor control.
• Aspen shavings. This is a type of wood shavings litter that is safe for rabbits. It usually does a very good job at odor control. However it’s not the most absorptive litter, which means you’ll have to use a lot of it. Aspen shavings can have a strong scent too, which can deter some rabbits from using the litter box.
• Compressed sawdust pelleted litter. This is leftover sawdust that has been compressed into absorptive pellets. You can often buy this in bulk for pretty cheap prices. It’s what’s commonly used at the animal rescue that I volunteer at. This type of litter also does a good job at containing odors, but not as good as paper-based pelleted litters.
• Shredded paper. The cheapest option you can find is simple shredded paper. You can make this yourself if you have a shredder. While it’s safe to use around rabbits, I generally don’t recommend it because it doesn’t absorb rabbit urine easily.
• Bedding. Paper-based bedding that is marketed for rabbits is also a safe option. Since bedding is thinner and softer, it’s not as absorptive and pelleted litter. You will likely have to use more of this on a daily basis to make sure there is enough to soak up the urine.

What NOT to use for your rabbit’s litter

While there are many types of litter that are safe to use around rabbits, there are also a lot of common brands of litter that you should avoid. Rabbits will often eat some of their litter, so we can’t use any type that can cause digestive problems in rabbits. You also want to avoid litters made of poisonous wood or with particles that can cause respiratory problems after prolonged exposure.

The types of litter to avoid include:

• Clay litter. This is the most common type of kitty litter that you’ll find in stores. It clumps up when it’s exposed to moisture to make it easier to clean a cat’s litter box. However, since rabbits often eat their litter, it can clump up in a rabbit’s stomach and cause a blockage.
• Pine or cedar wood shavings. Pine and cedar shavings used to be a common type of litter and bedding used for rabbits. However there have been some studies that suggest exposure to the phenols in these woods can cause liver damage in rabbits.
• Materials with a high amount of dust. A high amount of dust can cause irritation in a rabbit’s respiratory system, so it’s best to avoid these types of litter.
• Scented litters. Scented litters don’t always use chemicals that are safe for rabbits. Rabbits also have sensitive noses, so being next to a strong scent all day long can cause respiratory irritation over time.

Add hay to your rabbit’s litter box too!

If you’ve seen any of my videos on Youtube, you’ll see that I add hay directly to my rabbit’s litter box. This is a common practice with the rescue rabbits I work with at the animal shelter also. We do this because rabbits like to munch and poop at the same time. By including the hay inside your rabbit’s litter box, you are encouraging them to have better litter training habits.

Also, be sure to clean out any soiled hay on a daily basis. The pee will end up causing the hay to spoil over a few days, so it’s best to clean it out when you do your daily litter box cleaning.

Sources

1. “Litter Training.” House Rabbit Society. https://rabbit.org/faq-litter-training-2.

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