Introduction to Rabbit Care and Hygiene
As you may know, rabbits are generally very clean animals. Like cats, rabbits groom themselves and can be trained to use a litter box. Rabbits are very intelligent and if trained correctly they will use a litter box to go to the bathroom instead of going wherever they please. However, sometimes they may accidentally expel fecal pellets (poop) while hopping around. Even so, when they recognize the need to pee or poop they will go to the litter box.
Using a litter box is very important for the overall health of a rabbit. It provides a way to keep their space as clean and safe as possible while allowing them to express bowel movements freely. Another reason having a litter box is important to a rabbit’s health is their natural ability to consume hay during defecation/urination. It is important to allow access to hay next to or inside the litter box because rabbits need hay to keep their digestive system moving. Therefore they typically defecate while eating hay which makes the litter box the best place to keep the hay to not create a mess.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Rabbit Litter Box
To build a rabbit litter box you will need these materials…
- Container:
- There are many different types of litter boxes so it is important to find one that is the best for for your rabbit. Most litter box containers marketed towards rabbits are far too small. Rabbits need to have the ability to do a full circle, if they cannot, that container is too small.
- Containers that are marketed towards cats are much bigger and better options for rabbits to ensure they have as much space as they need.
- Lining:
- Having some sort of lining in the litter box is helpful to keep the cleaning process easy and to provide an extra layer between the litter and the container. You want something that you can grab to easily lift all the contents in the litter box.
- You can make your lining from home using a plastic bag or by opening a paper bag to play flat. The downside with these is they won’t absorb any urine that seeps through the litter. What I have found works best is to use puppy pee pads because they fit perfectly inside the container and provide great absorption.
- Litter:
- There are many many different types of litter but not all litter is safe for rabbits. You may be wondering why it needs to be safe if they are just going to be sitting on top of it. The answer is that because rabbits eat hay from their litter box they may accidentally (or on purpose) ingest the litter. Another reason is that most cat litter contains a lot of dust and small particles that are harmful to a rabbit’s respiratory system.
- The safest type of litter for rabbits is paper-based and unscented. The main types of paper-based litter are pellets, shredded, and bedding. If you are looking for a way to make your litter you can do this by shredding paper at home. The only downside with this is that regular paper is not as absorptive as pellets or bedding. My preferred type of litter is pellet form. I have found it to be the most absorptive of both urine and its scent. I recommend Small Pet Select paper based litter.
- Hay:
- As stated above, hay is added in or next to the litter box to promote healthy gut function. Rabbits must have access to consume hay while in the litter box. I recommend filling about 1/3 of the litter box with hay so they can eat while still having enough room around.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Rabbit Litter Box
Once you have gathered all the materials, here comes the easy part…putting it all together!
- You will first want to take whichever type of lining you have chosen and lay it flat inside the litter box container. You want to make sure the lining folds over the edges so that it will stay in place and hold the rest of the materials effectively.
- The next step is to cover the bottom of the litter box with litter. I recommend using a plastic solo cup of some sort and keeping it in the bag of litter for each use. You will want to make sure the bottom is fully covered with about an inch of litter or about 2-3 cups worth. This is to make sure there is enough to fully absorb the materials and help with odor control.
- The third step is to simply add hay! I suggest putting the hay at one end of the container so they can eat it and sit on the other side.
Another important aspect of building a litter box is finding the best area to place it. Keep in mind that rabbits love to hide, especially in corners. Try to find an area of your room that is more hidden, maybe under a table or nightstand or even in a corner behind a piece of furniture. As long as it is accessible for your rabbit to get in and out easily, the more hidden the better for both you and your rabbit!
Another option is a cat litter box with a topper, which is a great option for privacy, the only downside is that it looks pretty bulky and you may need to remove the door for accessibility. There are also so many ways to put a regular litter box enclosure into furniture that make for a great hiding spot that also looks visually appealing!
Maintaining and Cleaning the Litter Box
While cleaning the litter box is not the most fun part of owning a rabbit, we want to make it as quick and easy as possible because it is something that needs to be done regularly! It typically takes me under 5 minutes with my routine which is why I want to share it with you.
When cleaning the litter box I like to use any old plastic bags that I have around my house to throw away the litter in. So first I will pick up the four corners of the pee-pad lining and lift it out of the container and into the bag. The lining usually absorbs all the pee and poop but if the container is dirty I will clean it with water and some rabbit-safe disinfectant. I will then use a paper towel or my hands to clean up any hay or materials surrounding the litter box that may have fallen out. Next, I will simply replace the lining, litter, and hay and take out the trash. Super easy!
This is an easy process and it is important to do it about every 2-3 days to keep things tidy and fresh. Remember, the more frequently you clean it the easier it will be to clean because it is less of a mess! If you aren’t cleaning the litter regularly, your rabbit will be less likely to use it. Rabbits are pretty clean animals and they don’t want to sit in their feces.
Cleaning the litter box is also a great opportunity to observe the health patterns of your rabbit. It is important to pay attention to any abnormal pee/poop and address it as soon as it is noticed. But for the most part, as long as you are paying regular attention to your rabbit and their litter patterns are normal you shouldn’t be concerned.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below and I would be happy to help!