Introduction to Rabbit Litter Training: Setting the Stage for Success
Before jumping right into how to litter box train your rabbit, it is important to have some background information on WHY litter box training is the best option for both you and your rabbit.
Even in the wild, rabbits are generally very clean animals. They typically poop and pee in the same places to keep their nests and burrows tidy. Since it is a natural behavior for them to eliminate in the same general areas, this makes litter box training the best option for rabbits. Rather than trying to take them outside, like you would a dog, or just letting them go anywhere.
While rabbits usually get the hang of litter box training pretty quickly, you still have to put in the work to train them. Rabbits are very smart animals and will catch on if trained correctly but there may still be some trial and error involved. At the end of the day, any sort of training is great for mental stimulation and bonding between you and your rabbit!
Choosing the Right Litter Box and Litter for Your Rabbit
Rabbits come in a lot of different shapes and sizes so it’s important to find a litter box that your rabbit feels comfortable in. The size of your litter box should reflect the size and age of your rabbit. If you have a baby bunny or a smaller breed like a Netherland Dwarf I recommend a smaller litter box. My rabbit Leo is a Netherland Dwarf and the one I use for him is by Petmate. It allows him enough room to spin in a circle comfortably which is the goal. If you have a full-grown or larger rabbit you will want to size up. You may even want to consider a hooded option and simply remove the door. Another option is to place a larger litter tray into furniture to give your rabbit more privacy while keeping the aesthetic of your room.
Once you have your litter box you will need some sort of lining, I suggest using puppy pee pads because they provide great absorption and are easy to use. However, if you don’t want to buy anything you can use old newspapers from your house!
Next, you just need some litter to fill the box! It is very important to choose a litter that is safe for rabbits. There are a lot of different kinds of cat litter on the market but most are unsafe and very dangerous to rabbits. Most cat litters are clay-based and can cause deadly blockages in rabbits’ GI and respiratory tracts. This is why it is important to find a paper-based litter that is unscented and does not contain harmful chemicals. I recommend Small Pet Select as a safe litter brand for rabbits. If you are going to be picky about any item for a rabbit, litter is the most important because if it is not safe it can have severe effects on your rabbit.
I have another article called “Build a Rabbit Litter Box” if you are interested in more details on how to put it all together! 🙂
Step-by-Step Guide to Litter Training Your Rabbit
The best time to begin litter box training is as soon as possible! The younger your rabbit is the easier it is to train them. However, if your rabbit is older it is still possible, it just might take a little longer!
- Picking the Litter Box Location: When litter box training your rabbit you want to begin with a smaller area. Your rabbit should still have plenty of room to move around freely but not too much to where they feel they have to go find the litter box, it should be in eyesight. For example, if you want your rabbit to free-roam your apartment, start with one room such as the bedroom or bathroom. If all you have is one large room, consider fencing off a smaller area for your rabbit to enjoy. Rabbits generally like to pee and poop in one area, usually in a corner, or a more hidden spot. If you have noticed your rabbit repeatedly excreting in the same area, put the litter box there. If your rabbit has just been going everywhere, start by placing it in a corner.
- Scent Association: Rabbits usually prefer to keep going to the bathroom in the same area because they associate it with their scent. Once you have familiarized your rabbit with the litter box, put any fecal pellets in the litter box to introduce their smell to it. Continue putting any pellets that they drop into the litter box to associate the smell and clean the unwanted area with a rabbit-safe disinfectant to clear the smell. The same goes for urine, when they pee anywhere other than the box clean it up with a paper towel and place it in a litter box then disinfect the original area. Rabbits lift their tail and hind end when they are about to pee. If you catch this behavior on time, quickly and gently place them in the litter box.
- Positive Reinforcements: It is important that your rabbit enjoys using the litter box and sees it as an opportunity to keep their space clean. The best way to do this is by making sure you have hay in the litter box. Not only is it important for positive association but it is also very important for your rabbit’s GI tract. Rabbits need a constant supply of hay and they naturally poop while they are eating because of the movement of their digestive system. If the hay is not doing enough to entice your rabbit to go in the litter box you can also use treats. Placing treats in the litter box or feeding them treats while in the litter box is an excellent way to ensure they have a positive association with the litter box.
Usually after a couple of days, your rabbit will understand how to use the litter box, if not don’t give up! Your rabbit will get the hang of it eventually as long as you are consistent with the training and cleaning procedures. Once your rabbit is using the litter box consistently you can begin to slowly expand their space with the litter box. If you notice they begin to disregard the litter box after this, go back to the smaller space.
Maintaining Good Litter Habits and Hygiene
Being that rabbits like to maintain a clean living space it is important to regularly clean the litter box about every 2-3 days. If the litter box is to messy or overflowing your rabbit will not want to sit in there simply because it’s gross. Remember to respect your rabbit and provide them a clean place to spend their time and they will be much happier.
To clean 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 still 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!
The most important aspect of training is consistency and positive reinforcement. Remember, this is your rabbit’s first time learning this so it is going to take time and consistency to get it down! You want to make this as enjoyable as possible so that your rabbit doesn’t dread the litter box and is also more interested in being trained in the future.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments down below! I am happy to help!