Housebreaking Your Bun

Disclaimer: It is very difficult to litter train a rabbit that is not spayed or neutered. Their hormones are raging, and they want to mark or spray everything in sight. Once your rabbit is fixed, the next step is litter training her!

what you need

• Litter: It is important that you do NOT use clay-based cat litter or any kind of wood shavings for your rabbit's bedding. The dust from cat litter will cause damage to your rabbit's lungs, and wood shavings are not good for your rabbit if he eats them. Unscented paper-based litters are ideal, like Yesterday's News or Small Pet Select bedding.
  

• Litter Boxes: Rabbits like to eat and poop at the same time. So the litter box is the perfect place to keep your rabbit's hay-prop some hay up in the corner for him to munch on while he does his business. Line a large litter box (with a low entrance) with old newspaper and then pour about 1-2 inches of recycled paper litter on top of that. Add a large handful or two of hay to the corners of the litter box, and your bunny's bathroom is all set!

  • Another litter box option is to get a screen to fit your litter box which helps keep the space around the box tidy since your bunny will go in and out of the box several times throughout the day. We recommend this screen by Binky Bunny.

  • The litter box should be placed wherever in his pen or in the house where he likes to leave droppings; there is typically a preferred corner where they like to go.
    

• Cleaning: First, keep the box fresh by adding a small scoop of fresh litter to the 'concentrated' areas. Dump the entire litter box at least once a week. Use a vinegar and water mixture to wipe out the box before relining and filling it.

How To Litter Train Your Rabbit

Start litter training by keeping your rabbit in a smaller space with the litter box; this may only take a couple days, or it could take 1-2 weeks. If he pees or leaves turds outside of the box, simply wipe up the pee with a paper towel or unscented kleenex and drop it in the litterbox along with any errant turds. Repeat as necessary and then widen the space gradually until your rabbit is using his box every time he goes #1 or #2. Rabbits are creatures of habit, so be consistent with your training - you will be so glad you stuck with it in the long run! 

Litter training can take anywhere from 1 week to several weeks, depending on the rabbit. Some get it right away, some take a little longer. Patience is key and will pay off!