Vermicomposting small pet waste
Waste from small vegetarian pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, including their natural bedding, is excellently suited for your Bonter vermicomposter. They provide a good mix of ‘green’ and ‘brown’ material that is well processed by the worms. This can be a valuable and sustainable addition to your compost, provided a few important conditions are met.
Can small pet waste go in your worm bin?
Yes, waste from small vegetarian pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters is allowed in the worm bin. Their droppings are rich in nitrogen (‘green’) and break down easily. The natural bedding often used (straw, hay, wood shavings from untreated wood, shredded unprinted paper/cardboard) is excellent ‘brown’ material and provides carbon and structure. It is crucial that the animals are vegetarian (no cats, dogs, or other meat or omnivores), healthy, and not receiving harmful medication. The bedding must be natural and untreated.
How much small pet waste can you add?
Waste from small vegetarian pets, together with their natural bedding, can be regularly added to your Bonter, in reasonable amounts. The combination of ‘green’ (droppings) and ‘brown’ (bedding) is often already a good mix that the worms find pleasant. Ensure that the amount is in proportion to the size of your bin and the activity of the worms. Mix it well with the other waste and the existing bedding. Too many droppings without enough ‘brown’ can lead to a bin that is too wet or too nitrogen-rich.
What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Waste from small vegetarian pets with natural bedding is very suitable for the Bonter. If you have large quantities, for example, from multiple animals, it can also be processed on a traditional compost pile. This is a much better and more sustainable option than throwing it away with residual waste, as they are valuable organic materials that can be converted into compost. It is however essential that the animals are vegetarian and their waste does not contain harmful medication. Waste from carnivores/omnivores (cats, dogs) is unsuitable.
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Tips for composting small vegetarian pet waste, including their natural bedding
Use exclusively waste from vegetarian pets (rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, etc.). Ensure the animals are healthy and not receiving harmful medication (such as chemical flea/tick treatments excreted via waste). Use only natural, untreated bedding (stro, hay, wood shavings from untreated wood, shredded unprinted paper/cardboard). Avoid sawdust from treated wood, synthetic bedding, clay pellets, or bedding with added fragrances or absorbents. Cut or tear the bedding into smaller pieces (e.g., if it is long straw) to speed up decomposition. Mix the waste and bedding well with the other waste in your Bonter and bury it under a layer of bedding. The Bonter’s air filter helps with odours, but a bin that is too wet or out of balance (too much ‘green’) can cause odour in the bin.
I’m Mats, founder of Bonter, and I’m on a mission to make indoor composting effortless, ensuring sustainability becomes second nature in your home.
Join 340+ early adopters
Frequently asked questions about vermicomposting waste from small vegetarian pets
Can waste from rabbits, guinea pigs, or hamsters go in the worm bin?
Yes, provided they are vegetarian animals that are healthy and not receiving harmful medication.
Can the bedding be added too?
Can waste from cats or dogs go in the worm bin?
Do I need to make the bedding smaller?
Can medication in the waste be a problem?
Discover more
easy wins for your bin
See how effortlessly your vermicomposter handles common kitchen scraps. These items are favorites of your composting crew and simply transform waste into a valuable resource.