Choosing the right bedding for a rabbit cage is essential for maintaining a clean and odor-free environment. Rabbits are naturally clean animals, but their waste can quickly build up and create an unpleasant smell if the right materials are not used to absorb moisture and neutralize odors. Rabbit urine odor is pretty strong! The bedding at the bottom of a rabbit cage serves multiple purposes: it absorbs urine, reduces odor, and, if you don’t have a wire bottom cage, provides a comfortable and safe surface for your pet.
After experimenting with different types of bedding, I’ve found that the best options for odor control are a combination of Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher and wood pellets or, alternatively, puppy pads. On the other hand, certain bedding materials such as newspaper, paper flakes, wood flakes, straw, and kitty litter tend to fall short in terms of odor control and absorbency. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the best and worst bedding choices for your pet rabbits, which one I think is the best rabbit litter, and why some options work better than others.
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Best Bedding Choices for Odor Control
1. Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher Paired With Wood Pellets
One of the most effective bedding combinations for rabbit cages is using Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher along with wood pellets. This combination excels at absorbing moisture and controlling odors, making it a superior choice compared to other bedding materials. The best price I’ve seen is at my local Tractor Supply, but it is also available at Amazon here: https://amzn.to/41xywba
Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher
Sweet PDZ is a zeolite-based odor control product designed for horse stalls, but it works exceptionally well in rabbit cages. It is a natural, non-toxic mineral that absorbs ammonia odors from urine, which is the primary cause of bad smells in a rabbit enclosure. Some of its benefits include:
- Neutralizes ammonia to reduce strong odors
- Non-toxic and safe for rabbits
- Environmentally friendly and easy to dispose of
- PH Neutral so it won’t affect your garden soil if you use your bunny poop as fertilizer
- Long-lasting effectiveness compared to other odor control methods
Wood Pellets or Pine Pellets
Wood pellet litters, often marketed as equine bedding or wood stove pellets (without added chemicals), are a great option for both indoor rabbits and outdoor rabbits. These are only $6.99 for 40lbs at my tractor supply, but if you can’t get there, or if you don’t want a huge bag, you can buy a small bag on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4gZptE4
These pellets:
- Absorb urine efficiently and prevent puddling
- Expand and break down into sawdust when wet, reducing mess and puddles
- Control odors well when combined with Sweet PDZ
How to Use This Combination:
- Sprinkle a layer of Sweet PDZ at the bottom of the litter area.
- Add a thin layer of wood pellets on top to absorb moisture. It doesn’t take much. If your rabbit always pees in the same spots, such as a litter pan, you only need to put the pellets in those spots.
- Spot-clean daily if desired, and fully replace as needed to maintain freshness.
This setup is a great way to reduce odor, and is economical and easy to clean. The downside is that it isn’t soft and comfortable.
2. Puppy Pads
For those who prefer a simpler, low-maintenance bedding solution, puppy pads can be a great alternative. These pads are designed to absorb pet urine and lock in odors, making them the perfect bedding for rabbit owners who want quick cage cleanup. There are several options, and you would want to purchase the right size for your cage or litter pan. Here are some options: https://amzn.to/3EWea2t
Why Puppy Pads Work Well:
- Highly absorbent and lock moisture away, preventing odor buildup, puddling, and sloshing when you clean the cage.
- Contain odor-neutralizing agents to reduce ammonia smells
- Easy to replace—just remove and discard when soiled
- No loose bedding materials that scatter around the cage
How to Use Puppy Pads Effectively:
- Place a puppy pad in the litter area of the cage.
- Change it once a day or so, depending on how quickly it becomes soiled.
- Ensure your rabbit does not chew the pad, as some rabbits may try to ingest the material, which could cause intestinal obstruction. For this reason, I would only recommend using puppy pads on wire bottom cages or litter pans, where the puppy pad is out of munching reach.
Puppy pads are a great choice for owners who want to reduce the amount of bedding debris in their homes, but they are not the most economical choice.
Bedding Choices That Do Not Work Well
While many types of litter and bedding are commonly used for rabbit bedding, some do not perform well when it comes to odor control and cleanliness. The following options are ones I do not recommend based on their poor absorbency, lack of odor control, and/or tendency to create more mess.
1. Newspaper
Newspaper might seem like a budget-friendly option, but it falls short in several areas:
- Not very absorbent, leading to wet spots that increase odor.
- Breaks down easily, turning into a soggy mess when soaked with urine.
- Ink may not be safe if ingested.
2. Paper Pellets and other paper bedding products
Many pet stores sell paper-based bedding options in flake or pellet form, but it’s not the best choice for rabbits:
- Lacks proper odor control, allowing ammonia smells to build up quickly, which is both stinky and unhealthy.
- Compresses and mats down easily, reducing airflow and leading to damp conditions.
- Needs frequent changing, making it less cost-effective over time.
3. Wood Flakes (Shavings)
Wood shavings, especially pine and cedar, have traditionally been used as bedding for small animals, but they have several downsides:
- Cedar shavings and pine shavings release aromatic oils (phenols) that can be harmful to a rabbit’s delicate respiratory system.
- Poor odor control compared to wood pellets, since they don’t absorb urine as efficiently.
- Easily kicked around, creating a mess in and around the cage.
If wood shavings must be used, kiln-dried aspen shavings is a safer alternative, but even then, it is not as absorbent as wood pellets.
4. Straw, Timothy hay, or other Grass Hays
Straw or hay is sometimes used for rabbit bedding, but it’s not ideal for odor control:
- Not very absorbent, allowing urine to pool at the bottom of the cage.
- Can become moldy quickly, leading to potential health risks.
- Does not break down well, making cleaning more difficult.
While straw can be a great insulating material in cold weather, it is best used as a secondary bedding material rather than a primary one. Timothy hay or other grass hays are an important part of a rabbit’s diet and should be available for eating, but they make a poor and expensive bedding material.
5. Kitty Litter
Kitty litter may seem like a logical option for odor control, but it is not suitable for rabbit bedding:
- Clay cat litter creates dust, which can cause respiratory problems for rabbits.
- Clumping or crystal cat litters can be dangerous if ingested, potentially leading to intestinal blockages, but they could work well in a wire-bottom cage.
- Some litters contain added fragrances or chemicals, which may be harmful to rabbits.
If a litter box is used within the cage, it is better to opt for rabbit-safe alternatives like wood pellets rather than traditional kitty litter.
Additional Odor Control: Using an Air Purifier
In addition to selecting the right bedding, using an air purifier can be a good choice to help with odor control in your home. A good air purifier with a HEPA filter and activated carbon can:
- Remove ammonia and other odors from the air.
- Reduce allergens like fur and dust, making the environment healthier for both you and your rabbit.
- Improve overall air quality, especially in enclosed spaces where rabbit cages are kept.
Placing an air purifier near your rabbit’s enclosure can make a noticeable difference in maintaining a fresh and clean-smelling home. Since my rabbits live outside, I don’t use an air purifier, but I have heard they can make a big different with indoor rabbits. Here are some options: https://amzn.to/3Qxj4FH
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a clean and odor-free rabbit cage starts with choosing the right bedding. In my experience, the best choices for odor control are a combination of Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher and wood pellets, or the use of puppy pads. These options provide excellent moisture absorption, neutralize ammonia effectively, and make cleaning up much easier.
On the other hand, newspaper, paper flakes or pellets, wood shavings, straw, and kitty litter do not perform well in terms of absorbency or odor control and can lead to more frequent cleanings and stronger smells in your home.
If odor control is a top priority, investing in a high-quality bedding setup will make a significant difference in both your rabbit’s comfort and the overall cleanliness of your living space. By choosing the right bedding materials, you can ensure a fresher, healthier environment for both you and your rabbit.
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