Rabbits are increasingly popular pets in the United States. According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, rabbits are the third most popular pet in the country, behind dogs and cats. There are many reasons why rabbits make great pets. They are relatively low-maintenance, gentle, affectionate, and can easily be litter-trained.
While keeping a rabbit brings lots of joy to the household, it also has drawbacks. The most annoying part is the rabbit’s droppings around. The strong odor makes your house smelly, and there is nothing much you can do.
However, the good news is rabbits can be trained to use a litter box. Pellets and hay are used to layer the litter box to make it more absorbent. You can easily add bedding material specially formulated for odor control to take care of all those bad smells.
This article will look at the features of the best rabbit litter odor control and a few products as recommendations. So, let’s get started.
Why Is There a Need for Odor Control?
Bunnies are attracted naturally to areas that provide enough water, food, and shelter. They are most commonly found in forests where there is an ample amount of water, food, and shelter. The rabbits would leave their droppings everywhere in a free environment like the forest.
Animals are not trained naturally to use the litter box or bathroom to excrete their waste. When they are kept in homes, they need to be trained to know where they need to pee.
Just like other pets, rabbits leave a great deal of waste behind. This mostly occurs due to their frequent eating habits, and the food processing through their bodies creates a lot of waste, especially poop which is very hard to clean. This is why the enclosures are specifically designed to place a litter pan underneath the rabbit’s droppings.
These litter pans are often made with plastic having a textured surface with either a round or square shape. They may have built-in ‘dividers’ that make many small partitions for holding the droppings.
These spaces are then covered with bedding to help reduce bad odors. Having a litter box or pan in a rabbit’s enclosure is very important, as they eat frequently and need to excrete often.
What Are Rabbit Litter Odor Control Products?
Most odor control products available on the market for rabbit litter are biodegradable and compostable, and they offer odor control for up to 14 days. However, these products can be costly, and since you will be replacing the litter regularly, you would want to use something reasonably priced and effective.
You also need to be aware of what the product is made of. Since it will be placed directly into the litter, your bunny wants to munch on it. Moreover, some products can prove to be rough and irritating to the skin.
Wood shavings can naturally offer odor control but the ones scented are not recommended for rabbits as they can cause respiratory problems in these tiny fellas. Some odor products available out there are made from natural fiber and are twice as absorbent as wood shavings.
You also have to ensure the litter is not very flimsy and lightweight. This is because the rabbit may start kicking it all over the place, which could become messy and difficult to clean. Another point to remember is to buy something which is easy to scoop up. Otherwise, you will have a hard time cleaning the litter box.
And finally, if the price is an issue, you may just want to stick to litter spray to prevent bad odors. You can use this spray on any type of bedding or litter, as it’s completely safe and non-toxic.
Things to Look for in Rabbit Litter Odor Control
When choosing the right rabbit litter for your bunny, there are many things to consider. Not only would you want it to be safe for your pet, but something that offers effective results for many days. Let’s have a look at some of these factors.
Safety
There are many types of rabbit litter on the market, but not all are safe for rabbits. Some litters can contain harmful chemicals or other materials that can be dangerous for rabbits.
Look for litter made from natural materials only. Some products are made from recycled materials, but they may not be safe for rabbits. One way to determine if a product is safe is to look at its formulation. If the manufacturer has not mentioned the contents of the litter, you can read user reviews to find out if it’s safe for these tiny creatures.
Absorbency
When it comes to absorbency, you’ll want to look for a litter that can quickly soak up urine and minimize odors. A good way to test absorbency is to pour a small amount of water onto the litter. If it forms clumps and the water is quickly absorbed, that’s a good sign.
Good-quality rabbit bedding products available on the market have the ability to absorb up to ten times their weight in liquid.
Dust Levels
Another important factor to consider when buying rabbit litter for odor control is dust levels. You’ll want to avoid any litter that produces a lot of dust, as this can irritate your rabbit’s respiratory system. A good way to test dust levels is to pour a small amount of litter into a container and then shake it. If there’s a lot of dust in the air, it’s best to avoid that litter.
The product you will choose must be 99% dust-free. If it’s not completely dust-free, it will cause problems for your pet. Keep this in mind to make sure your bunny stays healthy and happy.
Other than the above-mentioned factors, some people also look for softness and fragrance in odor-control products. The softer a product is, the better. Your rabbit will have an enjoyable and relaxing time in her litter box. And when it comes to fragrance, some people prefer no-fragrance products because some animals are allergic to strong scents.
Top 4 Best Rabbit Litter Odor Control
If you come home from a tiring day at work and smell rabbit droppings everywhere in the house, it can put your mood off. You wouldn’t feel like entering the house again. It is necessary to keep the house clean and prevent any unpleasant odor if you want to keep a cute, cuddly rabbit inside.
However, this can be quite challenging for rabbit owners who may not have enough experience with animals, especially the ones living in the apartments.
Here is a roundup review of the best and most recommended products for litter odor control.
1. Kaytee Critter Litter
Critter Litter is the solution if you have started potty training for your pet or need an extra litter box. It’s made out of non-toxic 100% bentonite with all-natural minerals to ensure safety.
This lightweight and absorbent material enable odor control while keeping the enclosures clean by reducing 30% the cleaning time as compared to other materials, such as sand.
Since the material absorbs moisture on contact, it does not allow the smell to spread around. It is recommended to replace the litter completely at least once a week. You can use bedding material from the same manufacturer as a base in the cage and Critter Litter in the litter pan for effective odor control.
2. Fresh News Recycled Paper Bedding
If you’re looking for an affordable option to keep the bad odors away, try Fresh News Bedding. It is also known as an ammonia locker and consists of materials that have the ability to lock away moisture.
Fresh News Recycled Paper keeps your adorable pet along with its home fresh by having the power of absorbing three times more than clay. You must get this product if you wish to keep your rabbit’s hutch clean.
These products are 99% dust-free and 100% hypoallergenic, providing a clean litter box. The recycled paper contains natural carbon, which has the ability to fight odors. This combined with their ammonia locker technology, makes this product very effective and long-lasting. And the best thing about it is its small size, which is perfect for small animals like rabbits.
3. CareFresh Dust-Free Natural Paper Bedding With Odor Control
This substrate is made from recycled paper pulp and is, therefore, environmentally friendly. It absorbs odors and liquid waste well. The substrate is infused with sodium bicarbonate to ensure good odor control. As with all paper, it is dust free. This is a great hypoallergenic option for people allergic to bed dust. It is known to suppress ammonia odors for up to 10 days.
Another benefit of this substrate is that it is easy to clean after rabbits, as it does not stick to the bottom of the litter box. It also doesn’t clump or stick to the sides of the box. This will make the substrate last longer, and you won’t have to remove the litter to remove it.
4. Kaytee Clean & Cozy Lavender Bedding
This is a great choice for rabbits that like to dig. The substrate is light and very soft and is known to absorb liquids up to six times its weight. It has excellent odor control and can be used for up to 14 days.
Although the product can offer odor control for many days, it must be cleaned and removed from dirty residues at least once daily. When you throw away dirty trash, refill the trash. And every two weeks, you have to throw out all the litter. Wash the toilet with warm water and soap. Let it dry, and start with new bedding.
The one we have chosen comes in a lavender fragrance, but you can also choose apple spice, summer storm, and Tahitian vanilla. It is naturally scented using these fragrances and is totally safe for furry companions. Not only does lavender have a pleasant smell, but it also offers a calming effect to your rabbit.
Ways to Minimize Rabbit Odors
From having a proper diet for the furry creature and good hygiene to ensuring your rabbit’s cage is regularly cleaned and she is completely litter trained, all these steps ensure no unpleasant smells in your home.
Let’s look at some tips to help you minimize rabbit odors and keep her healthy and happy.
1. Cleaning Up
Rabbits do well indoors, especially in harsh climates. They are not intended for very hot or cold weather. If you take daily time to interact with your rabbit, she will become part of the family, just like your cat or dog.
Bunnies are actually very clean animals and groom themselves all day. This means you don’t have to bathe them every day, but you have to clean their fence or house every now and then to eliminate the odors and stains.
This means that you will need to remove all of the waste from their cage every day, and you will also need to give the cage a thorough cleaning at least once a week. When cleaning your rabbit’s cage, it is important to use a gentle, non-toxic cleaner. You should also avoid using any cleaners containing strong chemicals, as these can harm your rabbit.
2. Training Your Bunny to Use the Litter
Litter box training places feces and urine only in bins. Once your rabbit has learned to use the litter box, the rest of her enclosure should be kept very clean. Litter training a rabbit is not as difficult as it may seem. With a little patience and consistency, most rabbits can be litter trained relatively easily.
The litter box should be large enough for the rabbit to move around freely and be placed in an area where the rabbit spends a lot of time. It is also important to ensure the litter box is not too deep, as rabbits like to dig and may get stuck if the litter is too deep. It just needs to be large enough to put odor-control materials in it, along with pellets and hay.
Training your rabbit with cat litter makes life a lot easier. It can save you a lot of time for routine cleaning. If the rabbit pees everywhere, the daily cleaning consists of cleaning only the toilet bowl, not cleaning the entire fence.
3. Neutering
Neutering your rabbit can help reduce or stop spraying. Female and male rabbits mark their territory by scent. It’s definitely not a pleasant smell and harder to get rid of.
When a bunny house smells bad, it’s often a spray scent. The only viable and permanent solution to the problem is sterilizing the rabbit. Neutering improves not only the spray but also the smell of the urine. In addition, sterilized rabbits live longer and have a lower risk of certain diseases.
Weekly cleaning requires a thorough cleaning of the toilet bowl and enclosure. Use warm soapy water or diluted white vinegar to clean the bin or enclosure to remove odors and disinfect.
Washing with vinegar can reduce the build-up of calcium and ammonia in the urine. Be sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly before putting them back on. A litter liner is like that and is a great addition if the litter substrate isn’t absorbent enough. The liquid flows to the bottom of the pan and quickly seeps into the mat. These bins usually have odor control. Placing it on the bottom of the bowl can clean the litter can for a week.
Wrapping Up
Rabbits are cute, cuddly creatures that many people enjoy keeping as pets. However, one downside to owning a rabbit is that it can cause quite a bit of odor in your home if they are not properly cared for. There are a few things that you can do to help control the odor that your rabbit creates.
First, rabbits tend to have a bad odor from their droppings, which doesn’t leave a pleasant mark. However, plenty of products are available on the market specially designed to help you reduce litter odor, making your environment clean and fresh. This article has looked at some of the best rabbit litter or bedding with highly absorbent materials safe for your rabbit.
There are a few different types of litter that you can use for your rabbit, but the most important thing is to make sure that it is absorbent and that it does not contain any harmful chemicals. A clean and fresh rabbit enclosure will provide a healthy environment for your family to breathe in. So, it is very important to take litter odor seriously and find the best solution to reduce it.
Choose a product that meets your requirements and forever say no to litter odor!