No clay cat litter! Rabbits are nibblers and clay litter can cause blockages in bunny's tummy if she eats it. Also avoid corn, wheat, alfalfa and oat based litters as bunny too commonly ingests them. A cat litterbox works great.
Clay-based and clumping litters which are often used with cats are not recommended for rabbits. Rabbits are more likely to ingest the litter, which can lead to intestinal blockages.
It clumps up when it's exposed to moisture to make it easier to clean a cat's litter box. However, since rabbits often eat their litter, it can clump up in a rabbit's stomach and cause a blockage.
You can try applying a bitter apple spray (available at most pet stores) on inappropriate items that your rabbit likes to chew. Many rabbits don't mind the taste, though—some even seem to like it—so this may be worth a try but isn't usually effective.
Unlike hares, rabbits don't eat meat. They're not carnivorous animals, so they'll very rarely eat their young by choice. It's most likely to happen with young rabbits after giving birth to their first litter. The rabbit is frightened and confused by the experience, and just does what comes naturally to her.
According to the University of Miami, a rabbit will give birth to 1-14 kits in her first litter, with the average being 6. It's unlikely that all of these baby rabbits will survive. A first-time mother may fail to care for her young, so you must ensure that kits are kept warm and well-fed.
Rabbits are very clean creatures. A smelly, soiled litter box could cause your rabbit to choose another place to do his business, sometimes just outside the box. Depending on the number of rabbits and litter boxes, clean litter boxes at least every other day. Once a week is NOT enough!
Squeal. If your rabbit nips or bites you (sometimes rabbits nip when they want something or want your attention - it's not always aggressive): give a high-pitched squeal as soon as she nips or bites you. This will let her know that she hurt you and she should not nip or bite you.
Some rabbits will enjoy digging into their litter box, making a big stinky mess all around it. Most rabbits behave this way due to boredom. If they are being kept in a cage that's too small or don't have enough enrichment activities they resort to digging at the only thing that's left to them.
During the day, rabbits like to sleep in their burrow, in depressions of grass or in their cages. Sometimes you may see your rabbit sleeping in her litter box. This is perfectly normal, and you can make it more comfortable by using a good, soft paper-type litter such as Carefresh.
Pellets can be good for rabbits in small quantities, but they are not a necessary part of a rabbit's daily food intake. If pet rabbits are given a balanced diet with grass-based hay and a variety of leafy green vegetables, they can still be healthy on a pellet-free diet.
Is Rabbit Poop Harmful? While rabbits can carry parasites like tapeworm and roundworm, their waste is not known to transmit any diseases to humans.
Whenever your rabbit pees or poops outside the litter box, you want to make sure you thoroughly clean it up. Sweep or vacuum up the excess poops, mop up the pee, and use a pet-safe cleaner to disinfect the area.
Believe it or not, rabbits can be trained to use a litter box, just like a cat!
Size. The tray needs to be big enough for your rabbit to comfortably sit one end with enough room for a pile of hay the other (rabbits like to eat as they poop).
If you're keen to make them stop, a loud enough squeal – but not loud enough to cause alarm – should do the trick. A rabbit that is biting out of affection will respond to the idea that they may be causing harm and decide not to do so again. Subtle communication like this can be so useful.
It is considered especially dangerous because it can damage the cervical vertebrae and subsequently the spinal cord, which may lead to serious and irreparable spinal cord injury.
Your Rabbit May Be Showing You Love
When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin).
Bonded rabbits will use the same litter box without fighting – make sure you have one big enough for both with space to move around. The litter box is like the sandbox in elementary school.
Your pet may confuse the feces for food. If it's all over the hutch floor, they will eat. As a result, your rabbit may fall sick. For responsible rabbit maintenance, daily spot cleaning is essential, as well as weekly deep cleaning.
Rabbits have the strange ability to carry two litters at once, which is why it's crucial to not let your does live with bucks. Many times, unfortunately, these “double pregnancies” can confuse the doe. Double pregnancies can be dangerous and should be avoided.
Eastern cottontail rabbits can have between one and seven litters each year, and they average three or four litters annually, Animal Diversity Web reports. Each litter can contain between one and 12 babies, with the average being five. And female rabbits can get pregnant again almost immediately after giving birth.