Litter Training
It should come as no surprise how easy it can be to litter train a rabbit given that they are by nature very clean and intelligent animals.
Spaying/Neutering
The key to easier and successful litter training is ensuring they are spayed or neutered. Hormones often result in “marking” of territory with both faeces and urine. Both males and females can spray to mark territory once they mature at around 4-6 months.
Types of Litter
Choosing the right litter is crucially important as many litters are not safe for rabbits. Clay, clumping, wheat, and corn cob based litter can cause a slew of health concerns if ingested, including death. Deodorant crystals in many cat litters are toxic. Pine or cedar shavings may cause liver or respiratory damage, and any shavings (including aspen) can cause slivers and cuts to paws.
What type of litter is safe to use?
Paper based litters are an excellent choice for rabbit safe litter. They come in compressed pellets or paper pulp. Ensure paper based litter is unscented and does not use baking soda or any other additives.
Wood stove pellets are an inexpensive option. Hardwood pellets are safe because the phenolic compounds are removed during their manufacture. They can become crumbly (like sawdust) when wet. For rabbits with respiratory illness, this is not the best choice.
For rabbits with sore hocks, paper pulp can be used as a topper with another safe litter to combine absorbency and a soft surface.
How to Litter Train
Place a litter box filled with appropriate litter (and possibly a handful of hay in one corner) in your rabbit’s enclosure/cage and at least one in the room where they run around. Your bunny may tell you where he or she would like the litter box! If they go in a particular corner, then move the litter box to that location. When they use the litter box, praise them or give them a little treat. Positive reinforcement always works better than negative! (i.e. rewards for getting it correct, not punishment for getting it wrong).
You can sweep up feces and put it in the litter box and even soak up urine with a paper towel and place it in there as well. Very quickly they will realize that the litter box is the bathroom. Gently place your rabbit in the box, or herd them towards it if you think they are going to urinate. Once they go in it a few times, they are well on their way to being litter trained.
Changes in Litter Habits
If your rabbit suddenly stops using the litter box or starts to dribble urine it could be the sign of a medical problem. Dribbling urine could indicate a medical issue such as a bladder or urinary tract infection or a stone. Both can be quite treatable when caught early. Left unattended, a bladder/kidney infection can lead to kidney disease.
No longer using the litter box could also indicate other issues, such as not being physically able to get into the box (for reasons such as arthritis, spondylosis etc.). Once diagnosed, a rabbit may be on medications, and you can alter your litter box to accommodate your friend. Many owners wind up cutting down a side of their litter box (and filing it smooth or placing duct tape over it so there are no sharp edges) so that the rabbit can easily hop in.
Rabbits can also lose litter box habits due to environmental reasons. Consider any changes that may have happened that could affect your rabbit – new house, new rooms, new pets, a loss of a pet or loved owner.
If you are having challenges with your rabbit using the litter box, talk to your vet who can help address any possible medical or behavioural concerns.