You may have bought your rabbit the perfect hutch that gives your rabbit plenty of room to roam around and lots of toys to play with. However, if they’re not comfortable inside it, they’re never going to be happy. This is why choosing the best rabbit bedding is so important — so they can live a healthy, clean and comfortable life.
But which bedding is the best?! With so many different types of beddings out there available, it can seem a daunting task trying to pick one. There are different materials and consistencies and you’ll need to take into consideration other factors such as the comfort of it and the climate where you live.
Fortunately, we have complied a buying guide below, laying out everything you need to know about bedding and even including some of our top picks of the best rabbit bedding available to you. So, if you want to know more about keeping your bun comfortable, keeping reading on!
Different Types Of Rabbit Bedding
There are many different rabbit bedding options. Below we have laid out the most common material used for rabbit bedding:
Hay
Hay is a very popular choice of bedding because it is not only comfortable but it is also edible (though hay sold as rabbit food is a different product). It holds heat well and will keep them warm in the winter months. However, it needs to be changed daily because it can go mouldy, especially when in contact with moisture. Hay mats are popular choice for bedding too.
Straw
Just like hay, straw bedding helps to keep your rabbit warm while also being edible. It is also dust free, so is a safe choice for your pet rabbit. However, just like hay, it has to be changed very often.
Paper
Paper bedding can come in two forms — pulp and pellets. Both are very common choices for bedding.
Paper pulp is shredded paper and is highly absorbent. It is best for indoor rabbits and can absorb three times its weight in liquid. It is dust free and so is a safe option too.
Paper pellets are also made of recycled paper and are very good for the environment. They are very absorbent and slightly expand when in contact with water. They are also much lighter than other pellets, such as wood pellets.
Wood Pellets
Wood pellets are highly absorbent, but they can be too heavy for some cages. Paper pellets are a light option. Wood pellets expand for maximum absorbency, but turn into dust once it gets wet, which requires cleaning. They are more commonly used for cat litter.
Cardboard
Cardboard can be used as extra lining in your rabbit’s cage or hutch for maximum absorbency. It is normally used under another type of bedding. It is completely safe for your rabbit to eat, but you should make sure any staples are removed!
Aspen
Aspen is a safer alternative to pine and cedar wood. However, some pine and cedar bedding has the toxins removed. Aspen is one of the most odor-free options and is very absorbent. However, you should be careful to choose a brand that removes dust and wood debris. Aspen is safe for your rabbit to eat and chew on.
Things To Consider When Choosing Rabbit Bedding
There are three main things to consider when choosing the right rabbit bedding:
Climate
Whether you’re rabbit lives inside or outside will help you to pick the right bedding. If your rabbit is outside, you want them to be warm enough. This is something you should definitely take into consideration if you live in a colder climate, too. You may want to add a second layer of bedding, such as cardboard underneath hay or paper bedding for extra warmth.
If your rabbit lives indoors, you may not need as much bedding to keep your rabbit warm. You also don’t want to make your rabbit too hot, as this can be just as uncomfortable as being too cold!
Material
The material you choose for your rabbit’s bedding should be easy to clean up. Rabbit’s live most of their life in their cage or hutch, and so pee and poop on their bedding. You’ll be having to change it often anyway, so make sure it is something that is easy to get rid of! You’ll also want to take into consideration how much the bedding costs and ensure it isn’t a toxic material.
The best rabbit bedding material should also be comfortable for your rabbit to sit and sleep on. Your rabbit should feel secure and safe in their cage. The bedding should also be absorbent.
Odor
Nobody wants a smelly hutch! For this reason, some owners choose to buy the best rabbit bedding with a nice aroma, but these added scents can contain additives and toxins that are harmful to your rabbit. Some bedding, such as wood bedding, helps to naturally eliminate odors. You should also be cleaning your rabbit out often to help minimize any smells.
How Often Should I Clean Out My Rabbit’s Hutch?
Cleaning out your rabbit’s hutch and changing their bedding is every owner’s least favorite task, but unfortunately it has to be done! You should be cleaning them out at least once a week thoroughly, although depending on the size of the hutch and how many rabbits you have living in it, it may need to be more. Training your rabbit to use a litter box can also be a good way to reduce the amount you need to clean them out!
Take a look below at our list of the best bedding for rabbits. All of these are available to you on Amazon.
The Best Rabbit Bedding — Reviewed
1) Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
This bedding from Small Pet Select is a paper bedding, perfect for all small animals. It provides soft and comfortable bedding for your rabbit, yet is still very absorbent, with each bag expanding to at least three times it’s size when in contact with moisture. 100% safe and natural, this bedding is made in the USA from pure, unbleached and never been printed paper.
2) Healthy Pet Carefresh Small Pet Bedding
The natural Carefresh bedding from Healthy Pet provides your rabbit with ultimate comfort while still managing to keep odors under control for up to 10 days. Two times more absorbent than shavings, your rabbit will stay drier for longer, too. 99% dust free, this bedding is also safe and easy to clean. Even better, there are different colors of bedding for you to choose from — including blue and confetti — so you can get creative!
3) Kaytee Clean & Cozy White Small Animal Bedding
Two times more absorbent than wood shavings, this paper bedding from Kaytee is an extremely absorbent bedding that absorbs six times it’s weight in liquid. With odor control guaranteed, you can be sure that your rabbit’s hutch will stay sweeter smelling for longer. This paper bedding doesn’t contain harmful ingredients or toxins and is 100% safe for your rabbit. It is also 99.9% dust free for extra safety and a cleaner cage!
4) Carefresh Shavings Plus Small Pet Bedding
This bedding from Carefresh is a mixture of softwood shavings and paper bedding, providing your rabbit with a more comfortable, drier home. Not only does it help to suppress ammonia odors for up to five days, but it is also very absorbent to keep your bunny warm and dry. Even better, this bedding is 97% dust free for safety and a cleaner hutch. There are also no harsh chemicals or dyes.
5) Small Pet Select All Natural Pellet Bedding
While this pellet bedding is made from pine, it is clean, safe pine that is free of the toxins associated with wood pellet bedding. With no additives or irritants, this bedding is completely safe for your rabbit and is also recyclable and compostable. Sitting on this bedding helps to protect your rabbit from sore hocks, and the densely packed pellets means you get more absorbency for a cleaner hutch while having to use less.
6) Oxbow Small Animal Bedding
The Oxbow small animal bedding is a paper bedding made from pure, never printed paper. Super soft for maximum comfort, this bedding odor and moisture absorbent to keep your rabbit dry and to keep their hutch smelling better! This paper has been purity tested and is additive free for the safety of your bun, and there are no inks, glues or other harmful byproducts. It is also 99.9% dust free for less mess.
7) Vitakraft Fresh World Strength Crumble Bedding for Small Animals
This rabbit bedding from Vitakraft is made from 100% recycled paper and is biodegradable and compostable — perfect if you want something environmentally friendly. The bedding absorbs up to three times it’s weight in liquid and helps not only to disguise odors but to eliminate them for up to 14 days. This means your rabbit will smell sweeter for longer! 99.5% dust free, this bedding leaves less mess and is completely non-toxic and chemical-free.
8) Healthy Pet Critter Care Natural Bedding
This Critter Care bedding from Healthy Pet is made from reclaimed wood pulp and is biodegradable and compostable after use, yet has a paper consistency. Not only providing soft bedding for your rabbit to sleep on, this bedding is designed to absorb up to three times its weight in liquids. Providing you with long lasting odor control, the bedding is virtually dust free so there is less mess to clean up, too.
9) Hamiledyi Small Animal Grass Mat
This small animal grass mat from Hamiledyi is perfect for an addition to bedding, as it is soft to lay on and a great place for your rabbit to relax. 100% natural and made from woven grass, this mat is also edible and encourages chewing within your bun! Safe and sturdy, this mat will last a long time even if your rabbit loves to dig and gnaw at things. With three of these mats in each packet, you can line the bottom of your rabbit’s hutch or cage and give them a cosy place to rest.
10) SunGrow Seagrass Rabbit Mat
Just like the grass mat above, this mat from SunGrow is perfect to use as additional bedding, as well as something fun for your rabbit to chew on! This non-toxic, woven mat is made from seagrass and is 100% safe for your rabbit to eat. It also protects them from sore hocks that may be developed from a wire cage. Even better, this mat is both durable and waterproof, making it easy and quick to clean, keeping the hutch odor-free.
Summary
Picking the best rabbit bedding will ensure your rabbit lives a long and healthy life. Whether your rabbit is an indoor or outdoor bunny, they should have a comfortable and clean place to live and this starts with bedding. There are many different beddings out there and you will be sure to find the right one that works for your bun and their needs. Make sure your rabbit is warm enough at all times with the best rabbit bedding, and remember to regularly clean out their cage or hutch.