If you want your bunny to be as happy and healthy as possible, you’ll need to keep them in an environment that is comfortable, hygienic, and safe. One of the key factors you’ll need to consider when setting up your rabbit’s cage is choosing a quality bunny litter.
But with so many options to choose from, selecting the best litter for rabbits can be difficult. To help make things easier, we’ve gathered together our top rabbit litter picks in this guide, along with tips and advice on finding the right litter for your pet.
Top 5 Best Rabbit Litters
1. So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter
If you’re searching for a quality rabbit litter, there are plenty of good reasons why you should consider this paper pellet litter from So Phresh.
Made with 95% or more post-consumer paper, these fragrance-free pellets are designed to lock in moisture so that your bunny’s cage stays dry. They include baking soda to help control those unpleasant bunny odors, and are designed so that they don’t break apart when wet.
So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter is also 99% dust-free to help protect your pet’s respiratory system. And because it’s biodegradable, it’s also a good choice for eco-conscious buyers.
- Absorbent and controls odors
- 99% dust-free
- Doesn’t break apart
- Some customers complain about their rabbits eating the litter
- Some customers complain about the use of baking soda
2. Carefresh Custom Small Pet Bedding
Next on our list of the best bunny litters is this popular bedding option from Carefresh. Designed for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals that instinctively like to nest, this bedding can help keep your rabbit comfortable and dry.
This bedding features comfyfluff, which is made from reclaimed natural fiber, and is 99% dust-free. It also features larger pieces to help create a more comfortable bed for your furry friend.
Carefresh Custom Small Pet Bedding provides a claimed 10 days of odor control, which is good news for anyone who houses their rabbit indoors. It’s also available in pack sizes with a useable volume ranging from 1,404 to 3,661 cubic inches and is designed for use by rabbits of all life stages.
- 10-day odor control
- Comfortable and absorbent
- 99% dust-free
- Not the cheapest litter option
- Some customers complain the bedding isn’t soft enough
3. Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Small Animal Litter
If you’re searching for a non-paper litter for your bunny, Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw is definitely worth a look.
Made from wheat straw, the pellets in this litter are designed to absorb 300% of their weight in moisture. This helps your bunny’s living environment stay dry, while the pellets expand to help ensure easy cleaning. The manufacturer also reports that because the litter is made from plant material that’s high in fiber, it’s safe for your bunny to consume.
Finally, Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw doesn’t feature any added chemicals or fragrances. This means it’s biodegradable and compostable, which are important considerations for eco-conscious buyers.
- Environmentally friendly
- Safe for rabbits to consume
- Easy to scoop
- Some customers complain about litter turning mushy when wet
- Some customers complain the litter is difficult to clean
4. Kaytee All-natural Aspen Bedding
If you’d like to use a wood-based pet bedding in your bunny’s litter tray, Kaytee All-natural Aspen Bedding is well worth a look.
Made using all-natural aspen shavings, the bedding is processed to help remove dust and other debris. It doesn’t feature any aromatic oils, and the fact that it’s biodegradable means that it’s also environmentally friendly.
Kaytee All-natural Aspen Bedding doesn’t have any artificial colors or additives, but it does offer guaranteed odor control. It’s also available in a range of bag sizes and is designed to suit bunnies of all life stages.
- No aromatic oils
- No artificial colors or additives
- Good value for money
- Some users complain about the strong smell
- Some users complain litter is too dusty
5. Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
The last inclusion on our list of the best bunny litters is this popular bedding option from Small Pet Select.
Made from unbleached paper that’s never been printed on before, this product doesn’t feature any harmful chemicals or additives. It features natural paper pellets to provide a safe and comfortable home for your furry friend, plus absorb moisture at the same time.
Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding is made in the USA, and each bag of bedding is designed to expand to three times its packaged size.
- All-natural bedding
- Soft and comfortable
- Made in the USA
- Some users complain that bedding is dusty
- Some complaints about lack of odor control
What to Use for Rabbit Litter
What kind of litter do you use for rabbits? This is one of the key questions facing first-time bunny owners, and the answer is made more confusing by the fact that there are a couple of primary options to choose from, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Paper-based Bedding
These products are commonly made from recycled paper or cardboard, and can be quite effective at absorbing moisture and controlling odors. They’re also environmentally friendly and commonly come in pellet form. However, they can be more expensive than other rabbit litter options.
Wood-based Products
Hardwood shavings such as aspen are a popular bedding option, while some types of wood pellets can also be used. Wood-based bedding can be an affordable option for rabbit owners and can be quite effective at controlling odors. However, it’s often not as absorbent as paper-based bedding options.
Certain types of wood, including pine and cedar, can be harmful to rabbits and should be avoided.
And while wood and paper-based rabbit litters are the two most commonly available options, there are also a few other litter materials to choose from. For example, some owners prefer pelleted straw to keep their rabbit’s cage in optimum condition, while citrus-based litters are also available.
What to Consider When Buying Litter for Rabbits
If you want to find the best rabbit litter for your beautiful bunny, be sure to compare the pros and cons of a range of products. The key factors to consider when comparing rabbit litters are listed below.
Safety
First and foremost, you want any litter you choose to be 100% safe for your rabbit. That means selecting a non-toxic product and avoiding bedding with any nasty chemicals or additives.
You’ll also need to search for a litter that is low in dust to reduce the risk of it, causing any respiratory problems for your pet. Happily, many litters are marketed as being 99% dust-free.
Finally, check whether the litter will cause any health issues for your bunny if ingested.
Absorbency
A dry cage is essential to help prevent infection and disease. The best rabbit litters are highly absorbent and will quickly soak up any moisture in the cage. The more liquid a litter can absorb, the longer it will be able to keep your bunny’s habitat fresh and dry.
Of course, be sure to take manufacturer’s claims with a grain of salt — compare these claims with what customers who have actually used the litter have to say to find out whether a product performs as promised.
Odor Control
If you’ve ever experienced the smell of rabbit urine in a cage with a poor-quality litter, you’ll know just how important it is to choose a product that’s highly effective at controlling odors. Some products claim to offer 10 days or more of protection against odors, which is important if you keep your rabbits inside, and you want to spend less time cleaning their cage.
Once again, it’s important that you don’t just rely on manufacturer claims — check what other customers have to say about the litter’s odor control performance before you buy.
Comfort
Next, the best rabbit litters will be completely comfortable for your furry friend to use. If your bunny is hesitant to walk on the litter or doesn’t want to go near it, this will obviously make it very difficult for you to keep their cage clean and hygienic.
Unfortunately, there’s often no way to tell which bedding your bunny will prefer until they try it out for themselves. That’s why it’s usually a good idea to buy a small bag of a particular litter first, then see if your rabbit finds it comfortable before purchasing a larger amount.
Ease of Cleaning
The best bunny litter will also be easy to clean. This means it will be easy to scoop out of your pet’s cage or litter tray, and won’t stick to surfaces and be difficult to move.
It’s also worth checking what the manufacturer says and what other customers say about how often the litter needs to be replaced. This will give you a better idea of how much time you’re going to spend cleaning and maintaining your pet’s cage.
Environmentally Friendly
If you’re an eco-conscious buyer, there are a few factors to consider when shopping for rabbit litter. One thing you may like to do is look for products that are made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced materials.
You’ll also want to consider how you can safely dispose of the litter. Is it recyclable? Can it be composted? Is it 100% biodegradable? Check the fine print closely to make sure you’re doing everything you can to reduce your pet’s carbon footprint.
Price
Finally, the price tag attached to rabbit litter is also an important factor to consider. The general rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for, but there are also plenty of negative customer reviews suggesting that paying more doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get a better-quality litter. Cheap rabbit litter can do the job adequately, but you may need to shop around to find the highest quality.
The main thing to remember is to consider the price tag and real-life customer reviews when comparing products. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for savings when you buy rabbit litter in bulk.
How to Litter Train Your Bunny
The prospect of litter training a rabbit can be quite daunting at first, but many owners are surprised to find that it’s actually quite an easy process.
Rabbits like to pee and poop in the same spot, typically in the corner of their cage. This means you can let your bunny decide where they like doing their business, then place their litter tray in that spot. Putting fresh hay in one end of the tray can also make it seem like an inviting place to your furry friend.
Spaying or neutering your rabbit will also reduce the chances of them wanting to mark their territory, which means they’ll be more likely to use their litter box. And if you’re trying to train a young bunny where to go to the toilet, patience is key — rabbits become easier to train as they get older, so don’t lose hope.
FAQs About Litters for Rabbits
Is Cat Litter Safe for Rabbits?
Some pet owners also consider using cat litter for rabbits, as it’s often available in larger bag sizes, and there’s a wide range of products to choose from. However, clumping and scented cat litter can be dangerous for bunnies and should be avoided at all costs. Clay cat litters can also cause blockages if eaten, so steer clear of these as well.
Are There Any Other Rabbit Litter Alternatives I Should Avoid?
Yes. Softwood shavings such as pine and cedar are linked to liver problems in rabbits, so they should never be used as litter in your bunny’s cage. Corn cob litter can also cause an internal blockage if eaten and should be avoided.
How Often Will I Need to Clean Out My Rabbit’s Litter Tray?
Cleaning frequency varies based on a range of factors, including how absorbent the litter is and how many bunnies are using it. Some owners clean their rabbit’s litter 2-3 times a week, while others prefer to clean their bunny’s enclosure daily.
Final Thoughts
For our money, it’s hard to go past So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter. Not only is it effective at controlling odors and locking in moisture, but it’s also completely biodegradable.
If you’re not a fan of paper bedding, you may want to consider Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Small Animal Litter instead.
The main thing to remember before choosing a bunny litter is to do your research. Compare the pros and cons of a wide range of products to find the best rabbit litter for your pet.
