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What is the best bedding for rabbits?
The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) names good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, as long as it is dust-extracted and sweet-smelling. PDSA recommends layering it: newspaper on the floor, dust-extracted wood-based cat litter pellets on top, then soft straw. That gives you absorbency at the bottom and warmth and comfort on top.
Bedding does two jobs for a rabbit. It soaks up urine, and it gives a soft, warm, dry place to sleep and burrow. No single material does both perfectly, which is why the best setups use two layers and a separate litter tray.
- Lay a base. Plain newspaper or a washable mat across the floor of the sleeping area.
- Add an absorbent layer. Paper pellets or dust-extracted wood pellets, a few centimetres (an inch or so) deep.
- Top with straw or hay. A deep, fluffy layer the rabbit can burrow into. More in winter.
- Fill the tray separately. A layer of pellet litter, with hay on top and a hay rack beside it.
Rabbit bedding types compared
| Bedding | Good for | Watch out for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft straw | Warmth, burrowing, outdoor bedrooms | Must be dust-extracted and soft | Best for sleeping |
| Hay | Soft, edible, in and beside the tray | Flattens fast; it is food first, not a substitute for a hay supply | Very good |
| Paper pellets | Litter trays, absorbency, smell | Hard underfoot, so cover with straw in bedrooms | Best for trays |
| Pulped or shredded paper | Soft, dust-extracted, absorbent | Avoid glossy or inked paper if eaten | Very good |
| Wood-based cat litter pellets | Trays and base layers | Check the label for silica or scent | Very good |
| Hemp or flax (such as Aubiose) | Absorbent, natural, big bales | Pick a low-dust product | Good |
| Miscanthus | Straw alternative, absorbent | Can feel coarse | Good |
| Dust-extracted wood shavings | Base layers in well-aired spaces | Use with care; never dusty or cedar | Acceptable |
| Sawdust | Nothing | Dusty; irritates skin and lungs | Avoid |
| Clay or clumping cat litter | Nothing | Can clump in the gut if eaten | Never |
Straw bedding for rabbits
Straw is the RWAF's top pick for warmth. Rabbits burrow into it and it traps air, which matters most for outdoor rabbits in a UK winter, when PDSA advises adding extra. Look for bags marked "super soft" and "dust-extracted". Hard, spiky straw is uncomfortable to lie in, so if you see stiff stems poking up, swap brands.
Straw is not food. Rabbits may nibble it, but it doesn't replace their hay, which is around 85% of what they should eat. Our rabbit diet guide explains hay.
Paper bedding for rabbits
Paper bedding is one of the safest choices. The RWAF lists pulped paper as safe, highly absorbent and dust-extracted, and paper pellets as highly absorbent and good for litter areas. The House Rabbit Society notes paper-based litter is safe if a few bits get eaten, which rabbits often do. Recycled paper pellets such as Back-2-Nature are common in UK shops.
Plain shredded paper is soft and free, but it isn't very absorbent and doesn't hold warmth like straw. Use it as a layer, not the whole bed. Newspaper works as a base, but the RWAF points out it is inked, so cover it with straw.
Is sawdust safe for rabbits?
No. The RWAF advises against sawdust because it can irritate the skin and lungs, and the Scottish Government's rabbit welfare guidance lists it as unsuitable because it is dusty and can cause breathing problems. Rabbits live with their noses close to the floor, so dust matters more for them than for us.
Alternatives to sawdust for rabbits
- Paper pellets, for trays and base layers
- Pulped or shredded paper, for soft layers
- Wood-based cat litter pellets without additives
- Hemp or flax bedding, for absorbent base layers
- Miscanthus, as a straw-like alternative
- Dust-extracted shavings, used with care in a well-aired space
Aspen, pine and cedar shavings
Good sources disagree here, so here is where they land. The House Rabbit Society says to avoid pine and cedar because their aromatic oils can irritate a rabbit's breathing and liver. The RWAF now says good-quality, kiln-dried shavings are acceptable used with care in a well-ventilated space, because drying removes most of those oils. Aspen is a hardwood without the aromatic oils of pine and cedar.
We'd follow the more careful line: never cedar, skip pine shavings, and if you want shavings, choose dust-extracted aspen. Heat-treated wood pellets are a different product; the RWAF says they lack the harmful oils and are fine with straw on top.
Cat litter for rabbits: which kinds are safe?
Paper-based and wood-based pellet cat litters are safe and work well in a rabbit tray. Clay and clumping litters are not. The RWAF warns that if eaten, clumping litter will "clump" in the gut, and the House Rabbit Society adds that it can cause blockages. Also avoid corn cob and walnut shell litters, which the House Rabbit Society says spoil easily and don't absorb well. PDSA says to check wood pellets are dust-free with no silicone. See our guide to litter training a rabbit for setting up the tray.
Bedding for Angora and long-haired rabbits
Long coats pick up bedding. We haven't found a charity page on bedding for Angoras specifically, so this is our reasoning from the general advice: fine shavings and shredded paper tangle in long fur, so pellets with a layer of soft hay or straw on top, or a washable blanket in sleeping areas, are easier to keep out of the coat. Long-haired rabbits need grooming every day anyway, and keeping the bottom clean matters even more for them because of flystrike.
Indoor rabbit bedding and washable options
Indoor rabbits need less bedding than outdoor ones, because they don't need as much warmth. A grippy, washable floor with a litter tray and a hide filled with hay or straw is plenty. HouseRabbit.org recommends cushioned flooring such as blankets, with vinyl underneath to protect the floor. Fleece and blankets aren't absorbent enough for a toilet area, so keep them away from the tray and wash them weekly or whenever soiled. Our rabbit cage setup guide shows where everything goes.
How often should you change rabbit bedding?
Remove wet and dirty bedding and litter every day, and do a full change once a week, more often with more rabbits. The RSPCA suggests putting a small amount of clean, used bedding back after a full clean so the home still smells familiar. Make sure everything is completely dry before new bedding goes in. Our rabbit cage cleaning routine has the full steps, and our rabbit temperature guide covers how to adjust bedding for cold and hot weather.
For everything else rabbits need, see our complete rabbit care guide.
Rabbit bedding questions
Is sawdust OK for rabbits?
No. The Rabbit Welfare Association advises against sawdust because it can irritate the skin and lungs, and the Scottish Government's rabbit guidance lists it as unsuitable because it is dusty. Use dust-extracted shavings, paper pellets or a paper bedding instead, with straw or hay on top for sleeping.
Is straw or hay better for rabbit bedding?
Both are good. The RWAF calls soft, dust-extracted straw the ideal bedding for warmth, especially outdoors. Hay is softer and edible, so rabbits snack on it, which is no bad thing, but it flattens faster. Many owners use straw in the bedroom and hay in and beside the litter tray.
Can rabbits have shredded paper as bedding?
Yes. Shredded plain paper is safe and soft, and the RWAF lists it as a good option, the softer the better. Avoid glossy or heavily inked paper if your rabbit eats it. Paper alone is not very warm, so add straw or hay on top for outdoor rabbits and in winter.
Can I use cat litter for my rabbit?
Only some types. Paper-based or wood-based cat litter pellets without additives are fine and widely used. Never use clay-based or clumping cat litter: the RWAF warns it can clump in the gut if eaten. Also check labels for silica, scents and baking soda, and skip any that contain them.
How much bedding does a rabbit need?
Enough to cover the floor of the sleeping area with a deep, soft layer the rabbit can burrow into, and a layer of litter in the tray. Outdoors in winter, pack the bedroom with extra straw. There is no exact charity figure, so add more when you can see the floor through it.
Is fleece good bedding for rabbits?
Fleece and blankets make good washable flooring indoors and give grip, and HouseRabbit.org recommends cushioned floors like blankets. They are not absorbent enough for a toilet area, so pair them with a litter tray. Check for chewing, and remove any fabric your rabbit is eating or pulling threads from.
What is the best bedding for odour control?
Paper pellets and wood-based pellets absorb urine best and hold smell well, as long as the tray is emptied daily. No bedding can beat a dirty tray, and scented products are not safe. Neutering helps too, because unneutered rabbits have stronger-smelling urine.
