How to Litter Train a Rabbit:
Rabbit litter training is generally the first thing you want to do when you get a pet rabbit. It's quite easy to do, especially since rabbits are clean animals and tend to use the same corner or area for their business, even without litter training.
2. Watch the rabbit intently when you let it out. When it's ready to eliminate, it will lift its tail. When it does, quickly put it back into the cage. If you get there too late, put it back into the cage immediately and if possible, put whatever mess has been made in there as well. Don't lock the cage however, because you don't want the rabbit to associate the using the litter box with getting locked in the cage.
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*Make sure your rabbit associates doing its business with being in the cage; it only takes a couple of days to teach— just be sure you keep an eye on the rabbit so you can put it into the cage immediately before (ideally) it does the toilet.
3. Get the right litter. If you are going to litterbox train your rabbit, get several litterboxes. Fill these with a rabbit safe product, such as paper based litter or accelerant-free wood-stove chips.
*Do not use cat litter—it is not safe for your bunny! Newspaper is not safe for rabbits either, since they may try to eat it. Ink that is not water or soy-based is toxic to them. If you're not certain, call the newspaper beforehand to ask. |
* Hay or a recycled pet litter that is available in pet stores are both good choices.
*Put one or more litterboxs in the cage. Put others in locations around the area your rabbit has exercise time in. The more litterboxes you have, the more likely it is the rabbit will use one of them. Extra litterboxes can be used to switch out for ones that need time to air out from cleaning.
*Put one or more litterboxs in the cage. Put others in locations around the area your rabbit has exercise time in. The more litterboxes you have, the more likely it is the rabbit will use one of them. Extra litterboxes can be used to switch out for ones that need time to air out from cleaning.
4. Introduce the litter box. Before introducing your bunny to the litter box for the first time, watch it and pay attention to where it does its business; typically it will be the back corner. Once you've established your bunny's preferred area, place the box in that area. This will make it easier to get the message.
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*If you see your rabbit getting ready to eliminate outside of the litterbox, try to startle it or shoo it toward the litter box. You can pick up your rabbit if he's comfortable with that, but it's better if he goes in on his own. Don't try to scold your rabbit after the fact; he won't understand.
9. Once your rabbit starts using litterboxes reliably, you can alter the number or position of them as needed. If you rabbit only uses two litterboxes and ignores the others, the extras can be removed. If your rabbits ignores one litterbox, but urinates in a corner three feet away, move the litterbox to the corner.
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Tips
*Some rabbits prefer different kinds of litter or boxes. If the rabbit was using a litterbox in her previous home, try to get a similar setup for yours.
*Make sure the sides of the litterbox allow your rabbit to get in and out easily.
*Putting your rabbit's hay in one end of the litterbox can also help since many rabbits like to eliminate while they eat.
*Most newspapers now use soy-based ink, which is not toxic for rabbits, but always check before using it. Newspaper ink can also rub off onto your rabbit's coat, turning it black or gray.
*If your rabbit forgets his litterbox habits, limit his area of freedom. This should correct the problem. A puppy pen is often helpful in this case to block off the extra space until the litterbox habits have returned.
*Make sure the sides of the litterbox allow your rabbit to get in and out easily.
*Putting your rabbit's hay in one end of the litterbox can also help since many rabbits like to eliminate while they eat.
*Most newspapers now use soy-based ink, which is not toxic for rabbits, but always check before using it. Newspaper ink can also rub off onto your rabbit's coat, turning it black or gray.
*If your rabbit forgets his litterbox habits, limit his area of freedom. This should correct the problem. A puppy pen is often helpful in this case to block off the extra space until the litterbox habits have returned.
Warnings
Never use clumping cat litters for rabbits. This type of litter can be very harmful to a rabbit's respiratory system and can cause intestinal blockage if eaten. Organic cat litters, however, are generally safe.
Stay away from softwood, corncob, clay, and clumping litters. Aromatic softwood litters made from pine or cedar emit gasses that cause liver and respiratory tract damage. This can lead to chronic asthma and respiratory disease and lessen your rabbit's ability to handle standard rabbit medications. Inhaled dust from clay litter can irritate a rabbit's nose and eyes and can form clumps in the rabbit's lungs and make the rabbit more vulnerable to respiratory problems. If a rabbit ingests clumping or corncob litter it can form a solid mass in the rabbit's digestive system that causes shutdown and is often fatal. Even if you don't see your rabbit eating the litter, don't assume it is safe. Rabbits are meticulous groomers and your rabbit will ingest litter particles that are clinging to his fur.
Stay away from softwood, corncob, clay, and clumping litters. Aromatic softwood litters made from pine or cedar emit gasses that cause liver and respiratory tract damage. This can lead to chronic asthma and respiratory disease and lessen your rabbit's ability to handle standard rabbit medications. Inhaled dust from clay litter can irritate a rabbit's nose and eyes and can form clumps in the rabbit's lungs and make the rabbit more vulnerable to respiratory problems. If a rabbit ingests clumping or corncob litter it can form a solid mass in the rabbit's digestive system that causes shutdown and is often fatal. Even if you don't see your rabbit eating the litter, don't assume it is safe. Rabbits are meticulous groomers and your rabbit will ingest litter particles that are clinging to his fur.