11 Best Bedding For Rabbits In 2022: Top Choices

12 Best Bedding For Rabbits In 2022 Top Choices

As long as your rabbit has access to soft flooring, you can keep a pet rabbit inside without including bedding in its habitat. To keep warm at night and during the colder months of the year, outdoor rabbits will need bedding as insulation.

The best bedding for rabbits include: Oxbow Pure Comfort Rabbit Bedding, Rabbit Hole Hay Food Grade Bedding, Sunseed Corn Cob Rabbit Bedding, Carefresh Rabbit Bedding, Kaytee Clean & Cozy Bunny Bedding…

Please continue reading the post to see more specific information that I will present to you.

Table of Contents

Best Rabbit Bedding Products

Oxbow Pure Comfort Rabbit Bedding

Finding the best bedding for rabbits can feel like a true cat and mouse game. It turns out that the one you thought was perfect is either too expensive, too dusty, or is no longer available.

That means that the best overall rabbit bedding should be a fine combination of everything you’re looking for, without any missing qualities or features.

The Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding is this needle in a haystack item in our opinion: affordable, effective, and safe. But when you consider that it’s grown in the USA and has received veterinary approval, it’s clear why we’ve ranked it as our top pick for rabbit bedding.

In a nutshell, this Oxbow bedding is the best option for almost every rabbit owner because it is extraordinarily absorbent, virtually dust-free, and exceptionally effective at controlling odor.

Overall, we believe that this is the best bedding for both indoor and outdoor rabbits.

Pros

Made of 100% pure and never printed paper
Environmentally friendly
No risk to your rabbit’s health if eaten
Extremely low dust
Absorbs up to 800% of its weight in moisture
Space-saving packaging saves on shipping costs

Cons

Small and voluminous fluff may stick to coats of long-haired rabbits

Rabbit Hole Hay Food Grade Bedding

The performance of this less well-known company’s value-priced competitor in the rabbit bedding market particularly impressed us. According to Rabbit Hole Hay, the ideal bedding for small pets was developed in collaboration with a paper bedding manufacturer, and we tend to believe them.

This bedding can absorb up to six times its own weight and is offered in generous and reasonably priced packages to provide maximum odor protection even with infrequent bedding changes. This may be the best bedding for the money to keep your rabbit clean and healthy if they frequently have accidents in their bedding.

This plush bedding is 100% virgin, sustainably harvested paper, and has the added benefit of being 99.9% dust-free. The best option of all the bedding in our reviews may be this one if you or anyone in your home has allergies.

Pros

Soft and comfortable paper great for rabbits that love building nests
Absorbs six times its own weight
99.9% dust free
Made from environmentally friendly 100% virgin paper
Excellent price

Cons

Large shipping size means more shipping costs

Sunseed Corn Cob Rabbit Bedding

The Sunseed Natural Corn Cob Bedding stands out from the competition because it is both denser and more expensive than any other bedding we have reviewed. It can be used equally well for rabbit bedding or rabbit litter.

While most recycled paper products are designed for use as either bedding or litter, they’re rarely useful for both purposes. This Sunseed product, which is 100% corn cob, is an easy choice for smaller enclosures or when your rabbit is learning to use the bathroom. It is suitable for both due to its 100% corn cob composition.

Of course, it’s not quite as plush and soft as other beddings we tested. It’s a great option if you’re looking to save space with a multipurpose bedding/litter combination, but for maximum comfort, look elsewhere.

Pros

Convenient dual-purpose bedding and litter
100% biodegradable
USA-grown corn cob is sustainably grown and harvested
No additives, colorants, or dangerous pesticides

Cons

Not as comfortable as paper bedding
Not quite as absorbent as fluffier bedding

Carefresh Rabbit Bedding

The Carefresh Small Animal Bedding is the most environmentally friendly product we reviewed because it is made from a naturally reclaimed paper fiber source that is renewable, biodegradable, and compostable.

Their unique comfyfluff material lives up to its name, having a three times greater capacity for liquid absorption than wood shavings. Even with less frequent bedding changes, it will keep your rabbit happy and healthy by remaining dryer for a longer period of time.

It is somewhat pricey, even if you order it in bulk, which is the only drawback. All things considered, we value it as an environmentally friendly alternative for anyone who is concerned about the sourcing of materials for other bedding.

Pros

Reclaimed paper fiber material is biodegradable and compostable
Odor control suppresses ammonia smells for up to 10 days
Twice as absorbent as wood shavings
Almost completely free of dust
Most eco-friendly bedding option available

Cons

More expensive than most other paper beddings

Kaytee Clean & Cozy Bunny Bedding

Do you live with more than one rabbit? A larger breed of rabbit that needs more bedding, perhaps? If so, you might be sick of having to frequently order bedding due to the small package sizes.

The Clean & Cozy small animal bedding from Kaytee is the most affordable option for homes that require a lot of bedding. Available in a massive 85-liter bag, it’s the most cost-effective option for anyone who needs a lot of rabbit bedding.

Its FDA-approved paper source is lofty and cozy and has a 4-fold liquid absorption capacity. Additionally, it is 99% dust-free and excellent at odor eradication.

The only drawback is that it isn’t affordable unless you buy a lot of it. Look to our top pick or best value pick to meet your needs for smaller orders.

Pros

Available in an oversized 85-liter bag
Most cost-effective option for ordering bedding in bulk
Made of soft and absorbent paper
99% dust-free

Cons

Only a good price if ordered in large quantities
Consistency of bedding can vary greatly from package to package

Carefresh Shavings Plus Rabbit-bedding

Small pieces of kiln-dried softwoods are incorporated into Carefresh’s Shavings Plus bedding, which is another comfyfluff blend. Some rabbits enjoy playing with and building nests with it because it is a more textured and varied bedding option.

The woods used in this product, however, raise some questions in our opinion. We couldn’t help but notice a fairly strong “woodsy” smell to the package when we opened it, despite the fact that it is certified to be free of cedar—a wood known to be toxic to rabbits. That and the size of the wood chips indicate that we won’t use this as regular rabbit bedding.

Pros

Recycled paper and wood blend is enjoyed by some rabbits for nesting
Great odor control and absorbency
Great price

Cons

Wood smell is too strong and overpowering
Too many wood chips
May cause problems if your rabbit eats it

Living World Pine Shavings Bunny Bedding

Using any softwoods as bedding or litter for rabbits is somewhat controversial. Others doctors disagree with the assertion that properly dried woods can be used as litter.

We’d rather err on the side of caution than jeopardize our rabbits’ health, even though it’s possible that no specific softwood bedding is safe for rabbits. Softwood shavings should not be used as bedding for your rabbits because they are neither more affordable nor more practical than the other options on our list.

Pros

Inexpensive

Cons

Softwoods may be dangerous as rabbit bedding
Could cause respiratory, kidney, or liver damage if improperly dried

Fleece Bedding/cage Liners

The closest thing to sleeping on a cloud is probably fleece bedding, which is incredibly cozy and soft. Your bunny will undoubtedly feel like a royal cottontail while resting on multiple layers of thick padding, which is essentially the equivalent of a mattress and extends the entire width and length of the cage. If you’re also in search of an inexpensive, low-mess bedding, then you’ll get that in spades with fleece.

Keep in mind, however, that while you’ll save on costs, you’ll be giving up on time and energy maintenance-wise. We’re talking about laundry—laundry, laundry, laundry! However, if the idea of washing and drying a load every few days doesn’t appeal to you because you want the best for your bun-buns, then fleece is probably what you should buy.

If you choose fleece as your rabbits’ bedding and your rabbits are not litter trained, you’ll also need an underlayer that will absorb the urine. Most pet owners choose puppy or u-haul pads, both of which are excellent options. However, you won’t require anything else underneath if you select a fleece liner with a waterproof backing, like the GuineaDad liner.

Pros

Hypoallergenic
Dust-free
Eco-friendly
Effective at removing odor
Antibacterial
Made from natural materials like bamboo

Cons

Every few days, do more laundry!
Overly furry or dirty padding can damage washing machine
Pet-friendly detergents needed (unscented and hypo-allergenic)
Time consuming (usually requires more than one set to save time)

Don’t be misled by the name; this bedding is also excellent for rabbits.

Aspen Bedding

The best option for wood bedding is aspen because, unlike pine and cedar, it is dust-free, odor-free, and does not contain any aromatic oils or phenols that could be harmful to bunnies.

Pros

Dust-free
Scent-free
Non-toxic
Eco-friendly

Cons

Can be pricier than other bedding alternatives
Not as absorbent as paper-based bedding and fleece liner

Paper Pellets

Paper pellets, which are my personal favorite, are very effective at absorbing odors and moisture. I’m using Yesterday’s News, a brand of unscented, non-clumping paper cat litter that works well as bedding for any small caged animal.

Pros

Excellent odor control
Highly absorbent
Easy to clean up

Cons

More expensive than some other types of bedding

Crumble Paper Bedding

Excellent paper-based bedding that is environmentally friendly and has a cozy, soft texture. With this type of 100% recycled paper bedding lining their cage, your bunnies will be very content. Make sure you stick with a premium brand of crumble paper bedding because less well-known brands have a tendency to be very dusty.

Pros

Low dust
Super soft for your bunnies’ feet
Great absorption
Eco-friendly
Great odor blocker

Cons

Some brands can be dusty
Needs frequent changing since super absorption makes the material heavy

Types Of Beddings For Rabbits

Hay

Hay, a kind of bedding, serves as both a food source and bedding for your rabbit.

It offers a warm and comfortable environment inside the hutch where the rabbit can rest and sleep, making it popular with many rabbit owners and their pets.

Hay can be purchased by the bale, which is the most economical option, from farms and stables.

Always check the hay you purchase to make sure it is dust-free and free of any mold.

Straw

Many rabbit owners mistakenly believe that straw and hay are interchangeable when deciding which bedding to use in their cages, but they are not.

Straw is just as effective at keeping your rabbit warm in cold weather even though it has larger stalks and is typically more yellow in color.

The other major distinction is that straw is frequently a less expensive alternative to hay.

It’s possible that straw bedding is more affordable than hay if you discover that your rabbit enjoys eating its bedding, which they will.

Paper Pulp

Paper pulp is one of the newer kinds of rabbit bedding, but it has lots of positives for the rabbit, rabbit owners, and the wider world.

The latter is because paper pulp is made typically from recycled paper, making it environmentally friendly.

Your rabbit receives pet bedding that is warm and up to three times as absorbent as its own weight in liquid, keeping it warm.

You gain from this because your rabbit’s hutch will stay largely odor-free and you won’t need to clean it as frequently.

Aspen

Aspen rabbit bedding is made from small softwood shavings that come, not surprisingly, from the aspen tree.

Its high absorption capacity is one of its main advantages. Owners of pet rabbits also love it because it helps to control odor.

Although it can be a little more expensive than some of the other types of rabbit bedding, this kind of bedding, if bought from a reliable source, is typically dust-free, non-toxic, and eco-friendly.

Wood Pellets

It is yet another relatively recent addition to the rabbit bedding category, but cat litter trays have long used it.

It is very absorbent, which is highly desirable when considering what bedding you want to use for your rabbit, especially if you wish to use it for litter training them.

As they appear to be comfortable for their rabbits to sleep on, many rabbit owners have switched to wood pellets.

They also facilitate cleaning out their hutch and have the added advantage of being reasonably priced.

Cardboard

A type of bedding that fulfills many requirements is cardboard.

It’s affordable, environmentally friendly, very absorbent, and won’t hurt your rabbit if they choose to pass the time chewing it.

Of course, you can use used cardboard from any source, but you must make sure there are no staples or adhesive tape on the cardboard.

The better choice is to just purchase cardboard that has been shred from a pet supplier.

Paper Pellets

They resemble wood pellets in appearance and texture, but they have a few extra benefits.

You and your rabbit are both contributing to environmental protection by using them because they are made from recycled paper.

Another benefit is that paper pellets do not expand when they absorb liquid, so you need to replace it less frequently.

Your rabbit’s hutch should smell better because paper pellets are excellent at retaining odors.

Fleece

You can put a fleece in your rabbit’s cage, but typically only after you’ve trained it to use a litter box.

Because fleece isn’t made to absorb liquids or cover odors, this is the case.

Otherwise, fleeces are very warm and cozy and perfect for your rabbit to cuddle up in.

Many rabbit owners buy several of them so they can switch them out frequently, but you can also pick the color and pattern of your fleece.

What To Look For When Choosing Rabbit Bedding?

When picking out bedding for your bunny, be sure to keep the following things in mind.

Safety. The safety of your pet should undoubtedly be your top priority if you love rabbits. Look for bedding that is dust-free, non-toxic, and free of any harmful chemicals or additives. Additionally, you must confirm that if your pet ingests the bedding, it won’t be harmful.
Comfort. Then, we all want our lovely bunnies to be as at ease as possible. You should select cozy, soft bedding that promotes burrowing and nesting behavior.
Odor control. Examine the bedding’s capacity to neutralize odors and how long it can keep your bunny’s cage smelling fresh. Don’t just trust the manufacturer’s word for it; read some unbiased customer reviews as well.
Absorbency. Additionally, the ideal bedding for rabbits should be incredibly absorbent to quickly absorb any liquid. The more absorbent the bedding is, the longer you can go between changing the bedding. A clean and dry cage is essential for hygienic and health reasons.
environmentally friendly. Finally, if you’re an environmentally conscious pet owner, you might want to consider methods of lowering your bunny’s carbon footprint when selecting their bedding. Consider buying natural bedding that is 100 percent biodegradable and made from recycled materials.

Rabbit Bedding Alternatives To Avoid

Please be aware that certain bedding materials should be avoided at all costs before you begin looking for bunny bedding. These include:

Straw. While using pelleted straw is acceptable, using plain straw as bedding for rabbits is simply unsafe and inappropriate. Its lack of absorbency creates serious hygienic issues, and its stiff ends run the risk of hurting your bunny’s eyes, face, or paws.
Pine and cedar. Because they may impair your rabbit’s liver’s ability to function properly, cedar and pine bedding are not advised for use with rabbits. If you insist on using wood for your bedding, think about using aspen.
Cat litter. Although cat litter effectively eliminates odors, it contains chemicals that are harmful to bunnies.
Corn husks. Corn husks can clog pipes if consumed, in addition to being a source of mold growth. They are therefore not advised as a bedding option.

Why Traditional Bedding Is Probably Unnecessary For Your Rabbit?

For the vast majority of pet rabbits, the enclosure doesn’t need to be furnished with any bedding. Bedding is only necessary when it’s used as litter in a litter box if you keep your rabbit indoors, which I always advise. The primary purposes of bedding in a rabbit enclosure have been to keep a rabbit warm on chilly nights and winter days and to provide breeding rabbits with materials for nesting.

An old towel or blanket placed in the indoor rabbit’s enclosure is an option. Some people might mistake this for bedding, but it’s really just a way to give your rabbit a digging toy they can play in. Generally speaking, they don’t fulfill the same function as bedding has in this situation.

Why It’s Best To Avoid Unnecessary Bedding

It may be more detrimental to use conventional bedding when it is not necessary. It may hinder your rabbit’s litter-training efforts and make it more challenging to maintain a clean enclosure for your pet. Together, these two things may end up luring pests or making your home smell.

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It is more challenging to litter train your rabbit when using bedding. Your rabbit is more likely to consider their entire enclosure to be their litter box if you use traditional bedding materials throughout. Even if they choose a specific corner as their bathroom, they are unlikely to correctly associate the litter box with that area.
Cleaning bedding is more challenging. Cleaning out a rabbit enclosure is never enjoyable, but the task can take hours if you also need to replace the bedding. You’ll also need to clean the enclosure more frequently because the bedding is more likely to become soiled.
The area where your rabbit lives needs to be kept free of bugs if possible. Even in indoor spaces, dirty or soiled bedding increases the likelihood of bug attraction. Numerous ailments brought on by insects, such as the potentially fatal fly strike, can affect rabbits.

Actually, a lot of rabbits choose to lay on cool, hard surfaces, like a ceramic tile.

What About Comfort?

Some people contend that providing bedding for a rabbit will make them more comfortable, even indoors. This is not the case in my experience. I’ve met a lot of rabbits, and almost all of them act in the opposite way.

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Most rabbits will attempt to move bedding out of the way when given bedding. On a flat surface is where they choose to lay down and sleep. Even bedding made of fabric, like fleece blankets, frequently ends up being pushed aside. If given the choice, many rabbits will choose to lay down on a hard surface like cool ceramic tiles or hardwood floors. Without actually providing any comfort for your rabbit, bedding ends up being an expensive addition to its enclosure.

This is one of those situations where we humans think a rabbit should be more comfortable with more bedding, so we decide that’s what they need. Rabbits, on the other hand, have different opinions about it if you take the time to observe their behavior.

Outdoor Vs. Indoor Rabbits

While we at the Bunny Lady support keeping pet rabbits inside all year long, we also recognize that every individual’s circumstances are unique. It’s possible that you’ll need to use bedding for your rabbit’s area if its enclosure is outside or if you haven’t yet been able to bring it inside.

The drawbacks of using bedding in an outdoor enclosure are the same as those that apply to indoor enclosures. However, it will be important to keep your rabbit warm, especially during the winter. You should pick a suitable kind of bedding in these situations. One that will keep your rabbit comfortable and assist in protecting the enclosure of your rabbit from the elements.

bunnies kept outside using hay as bedding Hay is a good source of bedding and serves as food for your rabbit, so while it might be a bit pricey to use it to completely insulate your rabbit’s enclosure, it is a good option.
Towels and blankets. Towels and blankets made of fleece and cotton are okay for rabbits to eat in moderation. Even if your rabbit chews things, you can still use these things to help insulate their enclosure.
pulp for cardboard or paper. This kind of bedding is typically offered for sale in pet stores as small animal bedding. While it occasionally feels plush and cozy, it typically doesn’t offer much insulation.
Aspen shavings. It’s acceptable to use aspen wood shavings as bedding for a rabbit enclosure. Pine, cedar, or wood shavings with an unidentified wood source should be avoided.
Straw. Despite being a lesser insulator than hay, straw is more affordable. Make sure your rabbit has hay so that it can cover the majority of the straw. It’s acceptable for your rabbit to nibble on straw in small amounts even though it has no nutritional value for rabbits and shouldn’t be fed to them.

Conclusion

There is no lack of choices when it comes to picking a bedding for your rabbit, that much is certain.

The best one for your rabbit will depend on its size, whether it uses a litter tray, how frequently you are willing to clean their cage, and finally how much you are willing to spend.

You will quickly find the type of bedding that works for you and, more importantly, your cherished rabbit if you carefully check off each of these as they relate to the different types we’ve discussed.