Which bunnies can be potty trained

Not only will having hay in the litter box encourage your rabbit to get into the box, but it will also encourage them to eat their hay. Believe it or not, rabbits like to have something to munch on while doing their business!

You should clean your bunnies litter box at least every other day with a safe, non-toxic cleaner such as white vinegar or baking soda.

Unaltered rabbits with raging hormones will mark their territory with urine, and therefore are not easily litter box trained.

Once your bunny is fixed, the most frequently used training method is to start small. If she goes in another area, move the box to that area until she starts using the box. If she still refuses, you may have to temporarily reduce her space until she gets the idea. You must keep an eye on your bunny until she is completely trained, and never scold her after she has an accident, as it is only effective if you catch her in the act. Also whenever you see your bunny using the box, make sure to give her lots of praise.

You can continue increasing her free space as she consistently uses the litter box, but make sure to go slowly. If you plan on allowing your bunny to have lots of space, it can be very helpful to have multiple litter boxes, especially if she is able to go up and down stairs.

A few things to keep in mind: if your bunny is consistently using the litter box for an extended period of time, and then suddenly starts urinating outside the box, it could be a sign of an issue such as a urinary tract infection, bladder sludge, kidney stones or bladder stones. Assuming there are no external stressors, such as a new member of the household, furniture rearranging, unusual visitors in the home, etc.

So, if your bunny is pooping small amounts outside of the box, this is completely normal. Fortunately, healthy rabbit poops are hard and dry, and easy to clean up. Finally, remember that all bunnies are different and while this method works for most buns, it may not work for yours. If you are struggling with litter box training, please feel free to contact us at OHRR for support and advice!

And if you are deciding whether to adopt an older rabbit, or litter train your older rabbit, go for it! Spay or neuter is the most important part of litter box training a rabbit. When rabbits reach the age of months, their hormones become active and they usually begin marking their territory. By spaying or neutering your rabbit, he will be much more likely to use his litter box as well as much healthier and happier. Keep in mind the following as you choose your litter:.

For a listing of safe litters, see the litter boxes and liver disease article. Place a handful of hay in each box. It is helpful to put several layers of newspaper or litter under the hay, to absorb urine so that your rabbit is not standing in the urine. Most newspapers today are using soy-based ink, which is safe for your rabbit, but check with your local newspaper to make sure first.

Change the hay frequently daily , since your rabbit will be eating it. This method helps encourage good litter habits as well as encourages hay consumption, since rabbits often eat and use the litter box at the same time.

Clean litter boxes often, to encourage your rabbit to use them. Use white vinegar to rinse boxes out—for tough stains, let vinegar soak in pans. Clean up accidents outside of the cage with white vinegar or club soda. To dispose of organic litters, they can be used as mulch, composted at home, or added to municipal green waste collection.

Rabbit poops can be directly applied to plants as fertilizer. Place the box in the corner of the enclosure that they go in. If it is on legs, build a ramp or stairs, or pile boxes to make steps—anything so he can come and go on his own.

If the door is on top, put a small stool or box inside to help him get out, a board or piece of rug to help him walk to the edge of the enclosure, and a ramp, stairs, stool, or boxes to help him get down and up again. Consider replacing the enclosure with a puppy exercise pen, so the rabbit can come in and out on their own on ground-level.

If your cage is too small for a litter box, you may have a cage that is too small for your rabbit. You can also use a shallow storage tub. You can get the larger bags made for cats, but choose the unscented version.

This litter will neutralize any unpleasant urine odours. Put a thin layer of litter at the bottom of the litter box- just enough to absorb wetness. Rabbits like to eat hay and poop at the same time. So to promote good litter box habits, place hay either directly in the box over the litter or place it in a hay box next to the litter box. If you use a hay box, position it so the rabbit must hop into the litter box in order to reach the hay.