Some rabbits learn to use a litter tray by themselves but most need a little help from their carers. The majority of bunnies quickly learn to urinate in a tray, but will still scatter a few droppings on the floor. This is normal bunny behaviour and the dry, odourless droppings can easily be disposed of (see below).
Believe it or not, rabbits can be trained to use a litter box, just like a cat!
We recommend using CareFresh (a rabbit-safe pet bedding that does not contain any pine or cedar products) and fresh hay to prepare your bunny's litter box. Spread one inch of clean CareFresh covering the bottom of the pan, then add a big handful of hay.
Don't be too concerned if your rabbit is different. However, the critical thing to remember is that no rabbit should go 24 hours without peeing and/or pooping. If your rabbit has not eliminated for 24 hours, this is a medical emergency.
When you see your bunny pushing his bottom and tail out, it is usually a sign he is about to urinate. If your rabbit is in the tray, wait until he has finished and give him lots of praise and a reward.
Rabbit pee can have a strong smell, and unaltered rabbits (especially males) will sometimes emit a skunk-like smell during mating season. A sick or disabled rabbit will also need a little extra care to keep them clean and smelling good.
Add bedding and hay.
Remember to use rabbit-safe litters in your bunny's box. Clay and clumping litter for cats can be dangerous to bunnies, as they may ingest some of their litter while eating hay. Pine, cedar, or other aromatic wood shavings may also be harmful to your rabbit's health.
Regardless of the amount of paper you use in the litter box, most of the time you will need to change the box every two days or so. Paper pulp pellets will need to be changed less often than newspaper. Recommended by many veterinarians, especially when learning how to litter train a rabbit.
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!
It's important for people to understand that this process can take time. A rabbit who's been perfectly box-trained for three years and has peed next to the box for three days may need three weeks of intensive training to get back to her old, good behavior.
If your rabbit is pooping/spraying pee everywhere, this is probably due to your rabbit marking his territory. It's a good idea to get your rabbit spayed/neutered in order to ease territorial feelings. Sometimes rabbits deliberately pee on your couch or bed because they're showing you who's Top Bunny in the house.
Rabbits often pass stool when they are eating and placing some hay in the litter box can help with litter box training. First, place some rabbit safe litter on the bottom of the litter box and pile up the hay.
Although rabbits love cleanliness, they can be very messy. Rabbits may kick food, bedding, or litter outside of their cage. Sweep any material from areas around the habitat at least weekly and more often if necessary.
A rabbit's bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds, specialist litter or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
Rabbits don't have the same sleep cycles as humans. On average, a person will get 8 hours of sleep a night. Rabbits on the other hand will wake up periodically during the night and catch up on sleep during the day. They have to be awake at night in order to stay alert against attacks from predators.
What Does a Rabbit Need in Their Cage? Provide 1-2 inches of high-quality paper-based bedding in their main enclosure. Other items needed are a litter box in the corner with paper-based products, a cardboard hide box, a hay rack, a water bottle, a small pellet dish, and toys.
It's not that rabbits themselves are all that smelly, but for house bunny owners, living spaces can end up a bit stinky. An RHH (Rabbit Hole Hay) fan recently brought it to our attention that there aren't always great resources out there on the topic of reducing unwanted odors from living with rabbits.
The most effective way to remove yellow urine stains on rabbits is to rub corn flour powder into the fur and tease the fur gently with a comb. If the fur is urine-soaked and smells of ammonia, your rabbit will need a wet bath. This can be performed at home or by a vet.