We are discussing a topic that has become a source of trouble for many rabbit owners. Bunny parents complain that we have made all kinds of tools available for our rabbits, to the extent that some bunny parents have even had their rabbits neutered. However, they still complain the rabbit spreads waste everywhere through pooping and peeing. Which is a frustrating issue for any bunny owner. So, in this article, we will share five tips that can help you permanently solve this problem.
Why your rabbit is doing this
Rabbits are territorial animals that mark their territory. They want to alert other animals, especially other rabbits, that this area belongs to them. Even if there are no other rabbits in your house besides your own, your bunny will consistently mark its territory. It is a natural behaviour. Once your rabbit reaches sexual maturity, this marking behaviour may become abrupt. So, without a doubt, peeing and pooping everywhere can be considered an instinctual behaviour by a rabbit.
5 Tips to Improve Litter Habits
Let’s discuss some techniques that can help you eliminate such behaviour in your rabbit. Some practical ways to curb the habit of your rabbit pooping and peeing everywhere include:
- 1. Get your rabbit neutered
- 2. Provide your rabbit with a litterbox
- 3. Move your litterbox
- 4. Don’t clean the litterbox too often
- 5. Make sure the litterbox has lots of hay
1. Get your rabbit neutered
When your rabbit reaches sexual maturity, many hormones are released, greatly intensifying its territorial behaviour. Subsequently, it marks its territory all around. First and foremost, you need to get your rabbit neutered or spayed to negate this peeing and pooping behaviour everywhere.
Many people may not appreciate this approach, thinking it’s against nature or a cruel method that takes away the rabbit’s ability to reproduce. However, neutering not only helps in eliminating territorial behaviour but also enhances the life expectancy of your rabbit, as neutered rabbits are generally less prone to reproductive diseases.
2. Provide your rabbit with a litterbox
It may sound simple to arrange a litterbox for your rabbit, but many people overlook this. It could be the reason your rabbit is peeing and pooping everywhere all around the house. Whether you have created a hutch for your bunny or it’s a free-roaming rabbit, the presence of a litterbox makes a significant difference.
Rabbits become aware of this small litterbox and learn to use it as their tiny toilet. Ensure that the provided litterbox is filled with hay. So whenever your rabbit feels the need to pee or poop, it heads to its designated toilet instead of spreading mess everywhere. Ensuring your bunny feels secure in its litterbox and discourage eliminating waste in other areas of the house.
3. Move your litterbox
If you have already had your rabbit neutered and provided a well-maintained litterbox, but it still insists on peeing and pooping everywhere, you might need to relocate its litterbox. It is possible that your rabbit does not prefer the current location of the litterbox. In this case, the best solution is to change the litterbox’s location for your rabbit.
Rabbits naturally prefer placing their litterbox in a corner, possibly because corners make them feel a bit more secure. You might want to experiment with placing the litterbox in different corners. It might seem a bit peculiar to change the location of your rabbit’s litterbox in different corners, but you can even try placing separate litterboxes in various corners for your rabbit. You can also have different litterboxes on different floors, so if your bunny goes to another floor, it feels the presence of a litterbox there as well.
4. Don’t clean the litterbox too often
Many people make the mistake of cleaning their rabbit’s litterbox too frequently. Due to excessive cleanliness, rabbits may feel that their typical smell is missing, leading them to attempt pooping again. In such cases, you’ll need to exercise a bit of patience. While cleanliness is essential, avoid cleaning your rabbit’s poop every time.
You should clean your rabbit’s litterbox approximately every four days. When you see that the litter in the box has absorbed everything and it’s time for a change, go ahead and replace it. However, daily cleaning might not be helpful in such situations.
5. Make sure the litterbox has lots of hay
Ensure that the litterbox you provide is always filled with hay. The more you supply hay to your bunny within its litterbox, the better. If the litterbox has less hay, your rabbit may hesitate to use it. Considering that 80% of a rabbit’s diet consists of hay, having as much hay in the litterbox as possible will make it feel secure and enjoy using it.
Also Read: Rabbit Vaccinations | Protect Your Rabbit Through Vaccinations
Frequently Asked Questions
Rabbits may exhibit inappropriate elimination behaviours due to various reasons, including territorial marking, stress, illness, or lack of proper litter training.
Neuter or spay your rabbit, Provide your rabbit with a litterbox, Move your litterbox, Don’t clean the litterbox too often, and Make sure the litterbox has lots of hay.
Yes, diet plays a role. Ensure your rabbit has a balanced diet with access to fresh hay, vegetables, and high-quality pellet food. Inadequate fibre can lead to digestive issues, impacting litter habits.
