Litter training a rabbit

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Litter training a rabbit is relatively easy to accomplish with these steps

There are dog people and there are cat people and it’s always a good idea not to get between them in an argument. On the other hand, rabbit people seem to be as nice and friendly as the furry fluffy pets they love. However, nothing bugs bunny lovers more than litter training a rabbit.

While it’s a little more difficult than litter training a cat, the results are worth the effort and it helps win a few “discussions” with dog and cat people on which pet is easiest to clean up after.

Most rabbit owners already have a small animal cage, but if you don’t, it’s a necessity for litter training your pet, not to mention giving it a safe place to call home and keep out of trouble. Once you have a cage, get a litter box that will fit in a corner but still give bunny plenty of room to move around.

Open cat litter trays work well, as do the covered ones if you’re concerned about smell. You can also use an old cake pan for smaller rabbits or a plastic dishpan – just make sure they’re heavy enough to not tip over when in use. If your rabbit has been “going” in other areas around the house, you may want to get additional boxes to put in those spots during training.

The next step is to fill the box with litter. Use a litter designed for rabbits or marked safe for them – organic or paper-based pellets and litters work well. Avoid cat litters or shredded newspapers. Make sure there’s enough litter in the box so it doesn’t tip over when the bunny climbs in or out.

Put the litter box in the cage on the spot where your rabbit eliminates most often. Place bunny in the cage and close the door. Many rabbits will immediately start using the box – if that happens, you’re a lucky owner! More often than not, the pet will simply move to another spot. If this happens, clean up and move the litter box to the new spot.

You will need to keep the bunny confined quite a bit during this learning process but it’s not cruel – rabbits enjoy their cage – dens – and it’s more cruel to punish your pet for answering the call of nature.

Keep trying and have patience – this is often the only training a rabbit needs to get used to using the litter box in the cage. Don’t forget to give them praise or a treat when they use the box

Once the rabbit used the box in the cage, let it out in a confined area with another box where you’d like for it to go. When you see the bunny starting to eliminate on the floor, pick it up gently and place it in the litter box to finish. Rewarding with a treat when they’re done can help them get the idea quicker. Again, you can move the box around until you find a spot both you and the bunny like. As always, patience and practice are the key.

If your rabbit goes outside the litter box, pick up a few droppings and put them in the box; this sometimes helps them get the idea. You can use a commercial odor eliminator for accidents but white vinegar also works great for cleaning up urine and for cleaning out the litter box. Clean out the clumped droppings from the box at least once a week – more often if the smell is bothersome. If you don’t plan to breed your pet, spaying or neutering will eliminate the problem of urine spraying.

Keep at litter training your rabbit and you’ll soon live in a house with both a happy bunny and a happy bunny owner.