As
many small animal owners know, small companion pets can be trained to use a
litter box. Simply line your litter container with one-half inch of litter
material and place a handful or two of hay at one end of the box. Removable litter containers make for a neater
cage that is easy to clean.
If
your animal’s cage has a wire grated bottom, a litter container can provide for
a soft resting place. Your pet, especially rabbits, likes to have space to turn
around when using the toilet; a rectangular box works well for that.
Which litter is best?
Small
companion pet litter has improved greatly in the last several years, but not
all are safe and comfortable for your pet.
Items to avoid include: cedar or pine shavings and
chemically treated litters. They have a
strong aromatic scent that may be harmful to your pet’s respiratory system. Wood shavings often contain rough edges, stick
easily to coats, and dry relatively slowly. Urine sits at the bottom of the litter box
rather than being absorbed. Soft, fluffy
litters or pellets made of non-wheat straw may also have an unwanted affect on
the digestive tract if ingested.
The
best choice currently on the market is a wheat straw-based litter. Naturally mold resistant, wheat straw litters
have proven to be safe and hygienic for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas,
small rodents, reptiles, tortoises, iguanas, cats, and birds. Ask about wheat straw litter at your local pet
store.
