What Type of Shavings Are Safe for a Rabbit?

If you are a new rabbit owner, setting up your pet's cage can be fun and exciting. However, it is important to make an educated decision about what type of shavings to put in your rabbit's home. Even though cedar and pine shavings are promoted in pet store aisles, they are not the best choice. Over time, they can damage your rabbit's liver, says George Flentke, Ph.D., of the House Rabbit Society. Choose an alternative type of shavings instead.

  1. Recycled Paper Shavings

    • Soft bedding shavings made of recycled paper are one safe option to use to line your rabbit's cage. These shavings are available at most pet stores. The standard color of these shavings is tan, but they also come in pastel pink, blue, purple and yellow for a slightly higher price. There are no dangerous dyes in the colored shavings. Recycled paper shavings absorb urine well, so you won't have to worry about your house having a strong pet odor as long as you change out the bedding regularly.

    Aspen Shavings

    • Aspen shavings are made from a hardwood, unlike cedar and pine, which are made from a softwood. Hardwood shavings are not toxic for a rabbit the way that softwood shavings can be. Aspen shavings can also help to keep your rabbit cage bacteria free. These shavings are usually located next to the pine and cedar shavings in stores, so be sure to read the bag carefully, as the two types can look similar at a glance.

    Homemade Newspaper Shavings

    • You can make your own shavings out of newspaper. This is cost-effective if you are on a tight budget. It works best if you have a paper shredder. Run some sheets of newspaper through your shredder and place the even strips into your rabbit's cage. You can, of course, tear or cut newspaper shavings by hand, but it will take more and not look as professional. Newspaper shavings are safe for rabbits. The only consequence is that if a water bottle leaks and a white rabbit rolls in the wet spot, it may get ink spots on its fur temporarily. However, this is nothing to worry about.

    Alternative to Shavings

    • If you do not want to use shavings for your rabbit, you can use a fleece blanket instead. You will need to cut the fleece to custom fit the cage. Fleece will keep rabbits cozy and warm. You can buy a few different colors of fleece so that your cage floor matches the season or an upcoming holiday. Always have at least a second fleece blanket available for when the one in use needs washing.