We recommend a good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, particularly for outdoor rabbits. It's warm because the hollow strands trap warm air and it's also absorbent. It's important to understand the difference between hay and straw.
A rabbit's bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds, specialist litter or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
Shredded paper, straw, and paper pulp bedding are not great choices for the litter box. Pine and cedar shavings should be avoided for use in bedding or litter for rabbits. They are toxic and can lead to liver complications.
Rabbits generally do not feel safe on smooth, slippery surfaces, so consider adding bedding, a grass mat, carpet square or fleece pad to your cage set up. Thinner plastic cages can also be chewed through, so keep an eye on destructive rabbits in these types of cages.
Polar fleece is the only safe fabric for buns, because the fibers are short enough that they will not cause digestive problems. Pile these in front of your bunny and let him dig to his heart's content.
Hay. Most rabbits will prefer to sleep on hay because it is soft and something they can play with. This type of bedding can be grown on a farm or backyard.
If your rabbits are all litter-trained, you might have to replace the straw bedding several times a week. However, if they're not litter-trained, you might want to replace the bedding several times every few days. Basically, you'll have to decide when it's time to replace your rabbit's bedding straw.
Straw should be used only as bedding, and replaced on a daily basis to keep your rabbit's area hygienic and comfortable. Please note that, although safe if eaten, straw is not a suitable food for your rabbit. You must also supply your rabbit with plenty of fresh hay, forage and food, along with fresh water too.
For rabbits, use litter made from aspen shavings or recycled paper. Pine and cedar shavings can be unhealthy for rabbits so they should be avoided.
Rabbits need a sleeping area. The hutch should have soft flooring to protect your rabbit's paws. Additionally, rabbit hitches must provide entertainment and space to move. If your rabbit's hutch is located outside, there will be additional concerns.
You can use hay as bedding for your rabbit but this can be costly and less efficient for absorbency. But if you are out of your normal bedding and only have hay, then this isn't the worse thing to use.
Yes, but be careful with the amount of cardboard that they eat. Probably the reason why pet rabbits love to eat cardboard is that it packs on cellulose, which is a significant component of leaves and vegetables that they eat. However, this does not tell us that cardboards can be meal replacements.
Rabbits with enclosures on concrete, slabs or decking (or in grass runs with a wire mesh skirt around the perimeter) will not be able to dig out, making them more secure.
Wire-bottom cages are very painful for rabbits. They create sore hocks on the feet (pictured below) that are incredibly painful. They also cause arthritis, which is painful and chronic. Your rabbit should always have a solid surface to stand/walk/sleep on.
The hutch should be raised off the ground on legs to repel predators and prevent the base becoming sodden wet. The roof should be sloping to allow rain run off and covered with roofing felt to keep the hutch watertight.
As a general rule, clean your rabbit's hutch or cage thoroughly at least once every two weeks. 1 However, your rabbit's cage might need deep cleaning more often, depending on the size of the cage and how well your rabbit is litter-trained. If you have more than one rabbit, it will need to be cleaned more often.
Hammocks: While neither one of our bunnies would ever willingly hop onto a moving surface, some rabbits enjoy the comforts of a hammock. There are different versions out there, but we like the one that looks like a mini side table with a hammock underneath. That way the rabbit can sit on top of the frame, too!
Signs that your rabbit might be bored
Rabbits might start chewing things that they shouldn't, destroying their pen, or trying to dig out. They might also start to over-groom themselves to give them something to do.
Objects to play with or throw - such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots. Solid plastic baby toys such as 'key rings', rattles, stacking cups and some robust cat and parrot toys can make good rabbit toys.