Rabbits feel most comfortable and at home when their living space closely resembles a natural burrow. By providing them with a protected corner of your home, you can help your pet to feel safe and at ease. But to really complete the experience, you’ll need to supply them with plenty of comfortable bedding for rabbits!
Choosing the best bedding for rabbits will always make them feel well taken care of. Plus, it also simplifies the job of keeping their enclosures clean and free of potty-training accidents.
But do you know how to choose the best bedding for rabbits? We’ll cover everything you need to know to choose the right bedding for rabbits, including a helpful buyer’s guide for beginner and experienced rabbit owners alike.
Comparison Table (Updated in 2023)
The 9 Best Rabbit Bedding Products
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.
Looking for the best rabbit bedding can feel like a real cat and mouse game. When you find one that seems to be just right, it turns out that it’s too expensive, or too dusty, or no longer available.
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As far as we’re concerned, the Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding is this needle in a haystack product: affordable, effective, and safe. But throw in that it’s grown in the USA and veterinarian approved, and it’s easy to see why we’ve named it our #1 choice for rabbit bedding.
In short, this bedding from Oxbow is incredibly absorbent, almost completely free of dust, and features exceptional odor control qualities, making it the best choice for almost every rabbit owner.
All in all, we think that this is the best bedding for indoor and outdoor rabbits.
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
- 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
Small and voluminous fluff may stick to coats of long-haired rabbits
- Small and voluminous fluff may stick to coats of long-haired rabbits
Available in large and reasonably priced packages, this bedding can absorb up to six times its own weight, giving it maximum odor protection even with infrequent bedding changes. If your rabbit suffers from bathroom accidents in their bedding, this may be the best bedding for the money to help keep them clean and healthy.
We were especially impressed by the performance of this value-priced rabbit bedding competitor from a lesser-known company. Rabbit Hole Hay claims to have worked with a paper bedding manufacturer to create the perfect bedding for small pets — and we’re inclined to agree.
Made using sustainably harvested, 100% virgin paper, this soft and comfortable bedding also has the advantage of being 99.9% free of dust. If you or anyone in your house suffers from allergies, it may be the best choice of any bedding in our reviews.
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
- 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
Large shipping size means more shipping costs
- Large shipping size means more shipping costs
While most recycled paper products are designed for use as either bedding or litter, they’re rarely useful for both purposes. The 100% corn cob composition of this product from Sunseed makes it equally suitable for both and is a convenient option for smaller enclosures or when your rabbit is being litter trained.
Denser and more expensive than any other bedding we reviewed, the Sunseed Natural Corn Cob Bedding has one feature that sets it apart from the crowd: It can be used equally well for rabbit bedding or rabbit litter.
Of course, it’s not quite as soft and squishy as other beddings we tested. If you’re looking to save space with a versatile bedding/litter combination, it’s an excellent option – but for maximum comfort, look elsewhere.
Convenient dual-purpose bedding and litter
100% biodegradable
USA-grown corn cob is sustainably grown and harvested
No additives, colorants, or dangerous pesticides
- Convenient dual-purpose bedding and litter
- 100% biodegradable
- USA-grown corn cob is sustainably grown and harvested
- No additives, colorants, or dangerous pesticides
Not as comfortable as paper bedding
Not quite as absorbent as fluffier bedding
- Not as comfortable as paper bedding
- Not quite as absorbent as fluffier bedding
Able to absorb three times more liquid than wood shavings, their proprietary comfyfluff material lives up to its name. By staying drier for longer, it will keep your rabbit happy and healthy even with less frequent bedding changes.
Made from a naturally reclaimed paper fiber source, this renewable, biodegradable, and compostable resource makes the Carefresh Small Animal Bedding the most environmentally sustainable product we reviewed.
The only downside? It’s a bit on the expensive side, even if you order it in bulk. When all said and done, we appreciate it as an eco-friendly option for anyone who is bothered by the material sourcing for other bedding.
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
- 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
More expensive than most other paper beddings
- More expensive than most other paper beddings
5. Brown’s Naturally Fresh! Corn Cob Rabbit Bedding
Check Latest PriceAs another paper bedding alternative, Brown’s Naturally Fresh! Corn cob bedding does double-duty as a useful rabbit litter, as well. While it’s more expensive and somewhat less absorbent than fluffier paper beddings, it has qualities that make it a good alternative for some rabbit owners.
If you have a long-haired rabbit such as an Angora or Jersey Wooly, you likely know how much of a struggle it can be to find bedding and litter that won’t stick to them. Hay, paper, and straw all have a tendency to get caught in their voluminous coats, making them appear messy and unclean.
In this case, try using a corn cob bedding and litter like this one from Brown’s. It’s heavier than paper beddings, and not as sticky as wood shavings – making it a great option for keeping your long-haired rabbits looking their best.
Great for long-haired rabbits
Can be used as bedding and litter
Includes small paper twirls to increase absorbency
Corn cob material is odorless and free of dust
- Great for long-haired rabbits
- Can be used as bedding and litter
- Includes small paper twirls to increase absorbency
- Corn cob material is odorless and free of dust
More expensive than paper bedding options
- More expensive than paper bedding options
We like the Vitakraft Fresh World small animal bedding as an economical alternative to other bedding/litter combos. While it’s not as soft as many other paper beddings, it’s hard to beat it on price – making it a great option for anyone with large bedding or litter areas to cover.
A rolled paper design makes this paper bedding occupy a space somewhere between softer, loftier paper bedding and the denser style of corn cob bedding. Made of 100% recycled paper pulp, it’s a fine compromise between softness and absorbency that may be especially appealing to owners with more than one rabbit.
Economically priced bedding/litter combo
100% recycled paper material is ecologically sustainable
5% dust-free
Completely non-toxic
- Economically priced bedding/litter combo
- 100% recycled paper material is ecologically sustainable
- 5% dust-free
- Completely non-toxic
Not as comfortable as softer beddings
Not as absorbent as specially designed litters
- Not as comfortable as softer beddings
- Not as absorbent as specially designed litters
For the most economical solution to homes needing large amounts of bedding, consider the Clean & Cozy small animal bedding from Kaytee. Available in a massive 85-liter bag, it’s the most cost-effective option for anyone who needs a lot of rabbit bedding.
Do you have more than one rabbit in your home? Or perhaps a larger breed of rabbit that requires more bedding? If so, you’re likely tired of constantly reordering bedding due to the small package sizes.
Its FDA-approved paper source is lofty and comfortable, capable of absorbing up to 4 times its weight in liquid. Plus, it’s 99% dust-free and great at eliminating odors.
The only downside? If you’re not ordering it in bulk, it’s not available at a good price. For smaller orders, look towards our top pick or best value pick to satisfy your needs.
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
- 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
Only a good price if ordered in large quantities
Consistency of bedding can vary greatly from package to package
- Only a good price if ordered in large quantities
- Consistency of bedding can vary greatly from package to package
8. Kaytee Clean & Cozy Scented Rabbit Bedding
Check Latest PriceLavender is a lovely scent, right? For humans, it’s certainly soothing and pleasant to smell. This may lead you to think that it would be great to cover up the smell of your rabbit’s habitat with a natural scent — but in our experience, this isn’t a great idea.
See, rabbits have much more sensitive respiratory systems and stronger senses of smell than humans do. What might smell pleasant to us could be offensive or even irritating to our rabbits.
Even though everything else about this bedding would seem to make it a viable option, we honestly can’t recommend using anything that’s scented — naturally or artificially. If you’re worried about odors, clean and replace your rabbit’s bedding more frequently.
Dust-free and absorbent
Decent price
- Dust-free and absorbent
- Decent price
Any scented bedding can be highly irritating to rabbits
Encourages infrequent bedding changes
- Any scented bedding can be highly irritating to rabbits
- Encourages infrequent bedding changes
- Living World Pine Shavings Bunny Bedding
Check Latest PriceThere’s something of a controversy over using any softwoods for rabbit bedding or litter. While some claim that properly kiln-dried woods are perfectly acceptable to use as litter, other doctors disagree.
While the jury may be out on whether any individual softwood bedding is safe for rabbits, we’d rather err on the side of caution than take chances with our rabbits’ health. This bedding is not less expensive or more useful than others on our list, and we would recommend that you not use softwood shavings as bedding for your rabbits.
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There’s something of a controversy over using any softwoods for rabbit bedding or litter. While some claim that properly kiln-dried woods are perfectly acceptable to use as litter, other doctors disagree.
Inexpensive
- Inexpensive
Softwoods may be dangerous as rabbit bedding
Could cause respiratory, kidney, or liver damage if improperly dried
- Softwoods may be dangerous as rabbit bedding
- Could cause respiratory, kidney, or liver damage if improperly dried
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Bedding for Rabbits
Looking to educate yourself on how to choose the best bedding for your rabbit? Each of the following sections will explain in-depth an important part of bedding, helping you to be fully informed before choosing which type of bedding to buy.
Types of Bedding Material
There are a wide variety of materials that you can use for your rabbit’s bedding, each with their own upsides and downsides. These include:
Hay has the benefit of being cozy and edible but is often more expensive than other types of bedding.
Straw is another edible bedding option that’s available at a more reasonable price than fresh hay but can be dustier.
Wood Shavings are inexpensive and absorbent, but not always the most comfortable for your rabbit’s tender feet.
Paper pulp is highly absorbent and environmentally friendly but tends to be harder to clean up after being used.
Cardboard has the advantage of being readily available and very inexpensive but isn’t as comfortable for your rabbit. It’s best when used to supplement softer bedding.
Pellets made of either wood or paper are extremely absorbent but are inconveniently heavy to remove from your rabbit’s cage.
Fleece blankets are plush and reusable but can be a hassle when you have to clean them multiple times in a week.
- Hay has the benefit of being cozy and edible but is often more expensive than other types of bedding.
- Straw is another edible bedding option that’s available at a more reasonable price than fresh hay but can be dustier.
- Wood Shavings are inexpensive and absorbent, but not always the most comfortable for your rabbit’s tender feet.
- Paper pulp is highly absorbent and environmentally friendly but tends to be harder to clean up after being used.
- Cardboard has the advantage of being readily available and very inexpensive but isn’t as comfortable for your rabbit. It’s best when used to supplement softer bedding.
- Pellets made of either wood or paper are extremely absorbent but are inconveniently heavy to remove from your rabbit’s cage.
- Fleece blankets are plush and reusable but can be a hassle when you have to clean them multiple times in a week.
Important Qualities
No matter what sort of bedding you decide to use, we recommend that you look for one with the following five qualities:
Make sure your rabbit’s bedding should be absorbent. This is especially important while litter training your rabbit, as they may not have figured out which part of their enclosure is the bathroom, and which is their bed. Even fully trained rabbits will sometimes have accidents, and absorbent bedding makes it easy to clean.
While rabbits are generally very cleanly pets, make sure you choose bedding with odor control to prevent any unwanted smells from potty training accidents.
It’s essential that you make sure the bedding is dust-free. Rabbits have extremely sensitive respiratory systems, and even a small amount of dust in their bedding can cause serious health complications.
Eco-friendly bedding options are readily available at competitive prices, so there’s no need to use material that damages forests or fields.
Finally, make sure your choice of bedding is comfortable for your rabbit! That means no sharp edges, no irritating scents or dust, and making sure that it’s soft enough for your rabbit to lay on.
- Make sure your rabbit’s bedding should be absorbent. This is especially important while litter training your rabbit, as they may not have figured out which part of their enclosure is the bathroom, and which is their bed. Even fully trained rabbits will sometimes have accidents, and absorbent bedding makes it easy to clean.
- While rabbits are generally very cleanly pets, make sure you choose bedding with odor control to prevent any unwanted smells from potty training accidents.
- It’s essential that you make sure the bedding is dust-free. Rabbits have extremely sensitive respiratory systems, and even a small amount of dust in their bedding can cause serious health complications.
- Eco-friendly bedding options are readily available at competitive prices, so there’s no need to use material that damages forests or fields.
- Finally, make sure your choice of bedding is comfortable for your rabbit! That means no sharp edges, no irritating scents or dust, and making sure that it’s soft enough for your rabbit to lay on.
Types of Bedding NOT to Use
While most soft, natural materials are safe to use as bedding for rabbits, there are a few types that you should be sure to avoid.
You absolutely cannot use cedar or other highly scented shavings for your rabbit’s bedding. These woods’ strong aromas are the result of high concentrations of phenols — aromatic molecules that can negatively affect the health of your rabbit’s liver and nervous system. In short, avoid any bedding with a strong aroma of natural wood.
It’s also essential to stay away from any bedding that is very dusty. As mentioned above, rabbits’ sensitive respiratory systems are easily damaged by sawdust or other particulates. Instead, look for bedding that is advertised as dust-free.
Lastly, using old newspapers is not recommended as rabbit bedding. While they are fine to use in a litter box because of their absorbent properties, the ink in newspapers and other printed materials can easily make your rabbit sick if eaten.
How to Use Rabbit Bedding
Setting up your rabbit’s bedding can be fast and easy. Watch this step-by-step video tutorial for expert advice on how to use rabbit bedding materials:
How Often Should You Change Your Rabbit’s Bedding?
Because rabbits love to build and rearrange their beds, it’s best to only periodically refresh their bedding. Perhaps once a week, you can add a small amount of extra bedding and clean up any outlying scraps that your rabbit doesn’t want to use.
Once per month, or after any bathroom accident, it’s advisable to completely clean out and refresh your rabbit’s bedding. During your rabbit’s shedding season in the spring, you can completely change their bedding more frequently to help prevent them from ingesting their own hair.
Conclusion:
There you have it, our top 10 list of bedding products and a detailed buyer’s guide on choosing the very best materials for your rabbit’s sleeping quarters.
For the best combination of comfort, ease of use, and bunny safe design, it’s hard to beat the Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding. Of all the rabbit beddings we tested in our reviews, it is easily our #1 pick and we strongly recommend it for rabbits in any home.
With its fluffy, expandable texture and great price, the Rabbit Hole Hay Food Grade Bedding is an excellent alternative for anyone on a tight budget. A little bit goes a long way with this bedding, and even the smaller sized pack will last a single rabbit several months.
We appreciate you taking the time to read this guide to the best bedding for rabbits, and hope that your fuzzy friend enjoys the fruits of your learning!
Featured Image Credit: Kevinsphotos, Pixabay
