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House rabbit litter training
Please do not awnser if you do not have experience with having a house rabbit.
I have had a rabbit for a month now. I pretty much rescued him from a friend who just wasn't taking proper care of him. He was kept in a tiny cage. I built him a C&C cage that even has a little deck and he has plenty of room.
I have had a lot of progress with my bun bonding wise. But, this past week he has almost stopped using his litter box. He was not litter trained when I got him but I immediatly started training him and we made alot of progress. I had him to where he would always pee and mostly poop in his box. He would only sometimes poop on the top level of his cage.
Now he is pooping AND peeing all over the top part of his cage. I have added the second litter box back and I have tried moving his hay away from the box, putting hay in the box and I am quickly loosing patientce with my bun. Can you tell me what I can do to fix this litter training issue?
Oh, and my bunny is now one year old, a male, and I am not sure if he is nutered or not. I have put him on his back to try and see but theres just too much hair everywhere. He is a Holland Lop.
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Want to answer more questions in the Domesticity category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Pets?
As someone who has had a pet rabbit, I may be able to help :)
When we first got the rabbit, we used a normal litter tray for cats. The rabbit peed over it, as she backed up into the corner. So we got her a high backed tray. Have you got one? The rabbit finds it much more comfortable, and so are more likely to use it.
Also, you should move the tray to where the rabbit makes it's mess. If you have already done this, just be patient. Don't keep on moving it, just keep it in one place. Hopefully, he will understand eventually.
Also, be sure to thoroughly clean the cage with a pet-safe disinfectant. The smell of urine tells a rabbit, that this is the place to do it's business. If the smell is not there, it will go to the litter tray. Even if you cannot smell it, clean it thoroughly as rabbit noses are sensitive. Also be sure to pick up some of the (freshly) soiled material, and put it in the litter tray, so the rabbit smells where it is supposed to urinate.
Keep plenty of hay, near and on the tray as rabbits will have a nibble as they do what they have to.
Finally, use a good quality litter. I know a friend uses just woodshavings and hay. I prefer a layer of wood shavings, and then a thick layer of non-clumping, wood pellet litter. It's condensed wood dust and is in pellet form. When it is moistened, it turns into like, sand, and is compact. I find this to be more comfortable for the rabbit, then just sitting on cold plastic. I buy my litter from a pet store.
Be sure the litter is non-clumping, as rabbits eat their poo for extra nutrients. If they eat some litter, it can kill them as it blocks their insides.
Note that he may be doing his business everywhere because it is a new cage. He may just be trying to mark out his territory, and this is normal.
Finally, take it to the vet to check if he has been neutered. It will not cost much to check, and will not cost much to do if he has not already had the snip. This will calm him down, and help him to control his movements (downstairs). You really do need to take him to the vet, even just to check if he is okay after being mis-cared for. It's your responsibility as a good pet owner, and while you are there, you can ask the Vet who is of course an expert in such things.
Good luck :)
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Hi there,
Just in case there isn't someone who keeps rabbits as pets here, I thought I would point you to a couple places that are just perfect for this question:
Rabbits Online:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
BunSpace:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
House Rabbit Information Forum:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
I hope he gets with the program sooner than later.
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