Rabbits are wonderful, but constantly cleaning up after them is not. The good news is, bunnies can be litter trained, just like cats! Even if you’re a first-time bunny parent, you can teach your little one good bathroom habits. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to litter train a bunny, as well as answer some common questions such as, “Are bunnies hard to litter train?” and “What age can rabbits be litter trained?” But before we dive into the how, let’s take a look at why you should potty train your rabbit.
The benefits of litter training your rabbit
Why is it important to litter train your rabbit? The most obvious answer for you, the bunny parent, is that there’s less mess to clean up around the house. But potty training your furry friend also benefits them in several ways, including:
- Better health. A rabbit litter box allows you to monitor your bunny’s droppings and catch potential health issues as early as possible. Significant changes in waste color, consistency, or frequency can indicate that your bunny isn’t feeling well.
- Having their own space. Rabbits often rest or sleep in their litter box. While this may sound weird to us humans, it’s perfectly normal rabbit behavior!
- Freedom to roam. You can trust a litter trained bunny to hop around the house without marking your furniture or leaving droppings in unexpected places. A bunny that’s free to roam can also enjoy more mental stimulation.
- Enhanced bond. When litter training is based on positive reinforcement, it can also serve as a fun bonding activity for you and your bunny.
What you’ll need to potty train your rabbit
Before you start potty training your rabbit, you’ll need a few supplies. Here are the items to prepare:
- A litter box. Make sure it’s large enough for your bunny to move around comfortably and even lie down. As mentioned earlier, rabbits like to hang out in their litter boxes. Your bunny’s litter box should also have low sides and no lids so they can hop in and out easily.
- An enclosure. During the litter training process, your rabbit will be temporarily spending their time in a smaller space. Make sure the enclosure is big enough to house the litter box and your bunny’s other things such as food, water, and toys.
- Litter. Use rabbit-safe materials such as paper-based litter, alfalfa, straw, or hay. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, clay, or clumping litter as these can cause respiratory and other health issues.
- Hay. You’ll need lots and lots of hay (Timothy or orchard). Rabbits like to have a snack while they’re doing their business, so it’s important to have some hay in your bunny’s litter box to encourage them to use it.
How to litter train a rabbit
Now that you have your supplies, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to potty train your bunny. Note that while rabbits can be litter trained at any age, it’s usually easier to potty train a rabbit that’s been spayed or neutered (at around 4 to 6 months old) as they’re less inclined to mark their territory.
1. Start by reducing your bunny’s living space to limit the areas where they can go and make litter training easier. You can use an exercise pen or C&C cage; just make sure there’s enough room for your bunny to stand, lie down, and move around outside of their litter box.
2. Place the litter box in a corner and fill the bottom with a layer of litter. Add a handful of hay in the litter box or in a hay feeder. If using a hay feeder, it should be close enough that your rabbit can reach it while inside the litter box.
4. If your bunny goes in a different corner of the enclosure, move the litter box to that spot.
5. Keep your bunny in the enclosure until they’re using their litter box regularly. Be patient as it might take them some time to form a new habit. You can give them a treat when they’re in the litter box.
6. Once your rabbit is using their litter box consistently, you can give them more space to roam.
7. When they’re ready, you can open up their living space again.
8. Clean the bunny litter box every day or every other day. The cleaner it is, the more likely your rabbit will use it.
Common rabbit litter training problems
While it’s generally easy to potty train a rabbit, you may hit some bumps in the road. Here are some common rabbit litter training problems and what to do should you encounter them.
Your bunny keeps going outside the litter box
Reduce their living space so that they’re more likely to go in their litter box. Expand their space slowly when they begin to use the litter box regularly. For some rabbits, however, this can be a territorial behavior and might never go away completely.
Your bunny kicks litter out of the box
You can use a urine guard or litter mat, or try putting less litter in the box. You can also replace your rabbit’s litter box with a new one that has higher sides, but make sure the entrance is still low enough for them to go in and out easily.
Your bunny pees over the edge of the box
Time to get your bunny a larger litter box!
FAQ
How long does it take to litter train a rabbit?
Every bunny is different! For some bunnies it takes less than a week, for others it’s longer. But rabbits are often easier to potty train than dogs and cats.
How old do bunnies need to be to potty train?
It’s recommended to start litter training your rabbit at around 4 months old after they've been spayed or neutered. Fixed rabbits are easier to litter train since they’re less likely to urine mark.
How to stop your rabbit from peeing everywhere?
Follow the steps above to litter train your furry friend!
Litter training offers several benefits to bunny and bunny parent alike. Fortunately, rabbits are generally easy to potty train. With some patience and the right tools, even new bunny dads and bunny moms can teach their little ones good toileting habits.
For a rabbit litter box that’s super easy to clean, check out the BunnyLet by BunnyDad. This life-changing solution combines a litter box and hay feeder and takes only 10 seconds to clean!
