Is it true that a rabbit can be litter trained just like a cat and kept in the house?

Question

The kids want a pet. One son is allergic to cats (plus husband doesn't like them) and husband doesn't want a dog. Thinking about a bunny but don't know much about their care. Live in Michigan and don't want to keep it outside in a cage. Especially in the winter and hot summer. Any input would be great. I've heard they make better pets than cats. The person I might adopt the bunny from says it has been handled a lot by her son.

Answer 1

Absolutely right about litter training. I have a friend whose rabbit is a house pet, & the only reason they don't allow the rabbit to roam around the house unsupervised is because it is very curious, & sometimes chews on things that are dangerous. The way they handle it is to keep the rabbit in a spacious cage, with food, water, bedding, & a litter pan, when nobody can watch it. Then, when someone responsible can watch the rabbit, it is allowed to be out & hop around, be pet & played with, etc.. But the door to its cage is left open, so that it can still get to its litter pan if necessary, & usually the rabbit is good & goes back to its pan to relieve itself. You do have to be careful that the rabbit doesn't try chewing on an electrical cord or other dangerous items, so someone must keep an eye on it. Also, my friends take their bunny outside on a harness & leash. That way, he doesn't run off & get lost, but he can enjoy the lawn, the fresh air, & some exercise. There are specially designed litter pans, harnesses, & other equipment just for rabbits. Just check to make sure that nobody in the house is allergic to rabbits! Have fun with your pet.

Answer 2

Being handled a lot is a good thing for your children and maybe easier to train. Yes the bunny can be trained just like a cat, it's easier the younger the bunny. It takes a lot of time and work. Good luck with it and have fun.

Answer 3

YEs it is true with a lot of work, but they do chew on things, so I anot sure if it would be good to let it free full time.

Also please be aware that people can have allergies to rabbits too, my daughter is allergic to rabbits and rodents in general but NOT to cats. Our best friends are allergic to everything including bunnies.

Just so you know it still is possible to get a bunny and then it cause an issue.

Answer 4

Yes, rabbits can be toilet-trained … whether in his hutch, or free in your home, you’ll notice that your bunny usually pees in the same corner. So, get a flat tray - we cover Pookie’s litter tray with a couple of pages of newspaper and more wood shavings - and put the tray directly where he’s peeing. He then begins to associate the tray as the toilet. (Just a word of warning - NEVER use mineral cat litter, because if a rabbit ingests this, it can swell in his stomach and he will die. Much better are wood shavings or shredded paper.) The trick is really to put the tray where you observe him peeing, rather than try to get him to go wherever you place the tray … that will not succeed! He will eventually associate the tray with pooping as well, but this is relative to the individual bunny … some bunnies are easier to toilet train than others, and you must remember that, from a rabbit’s point of view, depositing a small pile of droppings, and their regular corners where they pee also, reassures your bunny that this is his territory, and that no other pesky renegade rabbits are going to try and claim it as theirs. Anyway, bunnies’ pellet-like poop isn’t very offensive, and is easy to sweep up! You can gather up the pellets which bunny deposits around the room, and place them on his litter tray - this will encourage him to recognise the tray as the place to deposit them in future. But rabbits can indeed be toilet trained because, to reiterate, they like to go in the one place … so when you find the place that they like to go, that is where you place the tray, and they will learn to associate the tray with their toilet. If they’re also peeing in a different spot, especially in a large enclosure or a big room, you simply place another, second tray in that new spot too - so bunny may have two trays, in a larger enclosure or room.

Reproduced from my "house bunny" article on my website at
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunnyhouserabbits.html

Enjoy!

Answer 5

Sure, domesticated rabbits make fine house pets and a charming addition to the loved ones. I've had six through the years. I currently write a weblog about dwelling with condominium rabbits. Assess it out.

Answer 6

Yes, domesticated rabbits make high-quality condominium pets and an enthralling addition to the loved ones. I have had six through the years. I presently write a weblog approximately dwelling with condominium rabbits. Check it out.

Answer 7

Yes. I have taken care of many bunnies through my pet sitting service and they have all been litter box trained. It comes to them naturally much like it does cats.

Answer 8

Yes, definitely get a rabbit. I had one who was house broken and used the litter faithfully. They are so cool as pets and run and play, just like a cat. They are funny. Be sure and get it's shots, etc. If it's a male, you may consider neutering, because they have a tendency to spray, just like a male cat.

Answer 9

Yes, they are good pets. Some of them do bite, though. They use a litter box just like a cat. They do chew on electrical wires and can really screw up your computer and sound systems. Good luck!

Answer 10

definite, domesticated rabbits make great abode pets and a eye-catching addition to the relatives. I even have had six by the years. I at present write a weblog approximately residing with abode rabbits. examine it out.