Newspapers as bedding

[DutchBunny03]

I have heard of people using newspapers as bedding/toys for their rabbits, but is it actually safe for them to ingest? If I give it to them they will eat it/chew it to pieces, so I want to be sure its completely safe first.

 

[GypsyG]

I have heard of people using newspapers as bedding/toys for their rabbits, but is it actually safe for them to ingest? If I give it to them they will eat it/chew it to pieces, so I want to be sure its completely safe first.

Bleached paper with ink made of questionable ingredients? I wouldn't.

 

[DutchBunny03]

Thought so. I've seen some ideas on like pinterest (what a reliable source, right?) involving newspaper in rabbit toys, si figured I'd ask.

 

[Rammy]

Use pine shavings. You can get a big bag at TSC. Would last a long time for a small bunny.

 

[GypsyG]

Do you keep a garden? I save mine all of my cornhusks and dry them. I tie them into little cornhusk dolls with hemp or just twine for an edible toy. Sometimes I also tie little treats inside (I got the treat recipe on Pinterest). They also love corncobs. I don't know what cornhusks or the dried corncob bedding/mulch that you can buy wouldn't work for house rabbit bedding. I have used it for pet rats before.

I also will put some of their treats and dried leaves and herbs in toilet paper or paper towel tubes (also a Pinterest idea) I'm sure the cardboard isn't great for them, but at least it's not bleached and it don't have questionable inks or dyes.

I don't use much bedding, except for nesting does. My cages have wire flooring and I just provide my rabbits a resting board. I usually use straw, but have provided bits of wool or unbleached cotton if it gets super cold or I have a doe that does not pull enough fur. I have used ricehulls in the past when I had hutches with solid floors. I saw a Pinterest pin once that suggesed saving dryer lint for nest box material.. I think that is a terrible idea because unless you wear only natural fibers and use natural laundry products I wouldn't imagine it would be safe for baby rabbits.

Pinterest can be a great place to find ideas. Some are great and some are not so great. It looks like you have a good instincts and can spot the ones that might not be so great or you wouldn't be double checking it over here!

 

[DutchBunny03]

Right now, I'm using hay and old towels as bedding. It can get to 20 below (without windchill) where I live, which makes the wire on the cages disgustingly cold; in the winter, I pretty much cover the bottoms of the cages with cardboard and bedding (so much wasted hay ).
Love the corncob idea! I will certainly try that. The toilet paper/paper towel tubes stuffed with hay is my favorite. I used to be hesitant about giving them cardboard, but they're not dead yet, so... Mine love big cardboard boxes stuffed with hay.
What the..dryer lint?!?
@Rammy are the shavings safe for them to ingest?

 

[Rammy]

Ive never had any animals try to eat the shavings. I think you will be fine.

 

[DutchBunny03]

Good. I've looked them up, and they are so much cheaper than hay.