How can i keep my rabbit inside the house without a stink?

Question

I keep my rabbit outside in my backyard but I'd like to keep it inside with the cage clean because im worried it might get cold outside when its dark. how can i keep her inside without a mess or a stink?

Answer 1

You can use a wire floored cage with a pan underneath, then use a corn cob bedding in the pan. Corn cobs are very absorbent. There are also sprays that you can use to keep down ammonia smells that are availabe at places such as:

http://www.klubertanz.com
http://www.bassequipment.com
http://www.kwcages.com

And yet another option if you have a pan underneath is to shake a little bit of powdered lime into the bottom of the pan. That's what they did in old times to take down the stench of an out-house (just sprinkle powdered lime on the pile). Or you could possibly add kitty litter to the pan, although kitty litter is much heavier and more expensive.

Answer 2

I never had a problem with my rabbit smelling. She was a good self cleaner, she was litter box trained, and only had accidents when she was sick.

Big way to help with smell... I don't like corn litter as it isn't as absorbant and odor controlling as is claimed. I've never had luck with it.

And avoid a litter called Schweat. Rabbits tend to eat it, and it can cause bloat.

I like a litter called Carefresh which is very odor absorbing or a clumping dust free cat litter. Dust free is the important thing.

Clean that through out the day and give the box a good scrub down every few days and that eliminates a lot of odor.

*on a side note... rabbits urine tends to smell more before neutering/spaying and in the mornings.

try to avoid feeding them foods that make them gassy. My gabby loved brussel sprouts and spinach, but it made her so gassy and gave her diarreha.

Do not bathe a rabbit unless specifically directed to by a certified veterinarian.

In essence, my bunny smelled less than my other pets. but keeping up on the hygene by cleaning the litter boxes often is a good way to keep them less stinky.

--Quick edit--

Please don't use scented litter as someone suggested.
Most scented litters are perfumed with ammonias that can be harmful to their respiratory system. And some scented litters have dust particles that are also harmful.

not to mention rabbits have sensitive systems, (hearing/smell) so on. this can cause her greif.

I accidentally picked up a scented box of litter (they changed box colors and it looked just like the unscented/dust free)

She sneezed so much I thought she was going to have a stroke.

I removed the litter immediately which took care of the problem.

please no scented litters

as for the advice for putting her outside.

Remember- while that's good for you- interaction with the rabbit tends to drop to 2 times a day at best which is not good enough for a pet of any breed,

they are suseptable for heat stroke. Rabbits do better in cooler weather than warm.

They are more suseptable to ticks, fleas, parasites and preditory animals that can find ways into hutches of all types.

Answer 3

I have a house rabbit. She's lives indoors only...never outside. She's fixed and litter box trained. Rabbits, contrary to belief are actually clean animals and would rather choose 1 spot to do thier duty, rather than all over. My bunny has lived indoors for two years now and has never used anything but her litter box when nature calls!! And rabbits are actually pretty easy to train to a litter box.
I also have cats and my rabbit smells way less than my cats!!! A good litter for them is Care fresh. Always avoid clay and sand litter.
When I'm home, she has free run of the house, supervised of course. When I'm away or at night she has a large pen that I put her in. and I tell ya, she is one happy bunny!!!

Answer 4

Amber, FYI, rabbits aren't rodents they are lagomorphs!

But as for the answer to the question, I also use carefresh for bedding and find it very good. I use a cob litter in the litterbox but it needs to be cleaned about twice a week As long as the litter box is changed frequently, no smell. Also, after my rabbit was spayed, her litter box habits were greatly improved.

Answer 5

You couldn't convince. You'd have to clean the litter box twice a day to keep the smell down. Actually the rabbit prefers to stick his butt out through the mesh and pee outside his cage. That will be nice on your carpet.

Answer 6

buy a big cage like 4 feet long and put a litter box on one side most rabbits naturally use one as long as it is used to living in a clean cage. I have had alot of rabbits and they just go in the litter box then if you want to you can clean it dalily and there will be no smell at all. If you keep your rabbit in a hutch then just move it to the garage in the winter and the rabbit will be fine

Answer 7

Rabbits stink, it is a givin, they are rodents!
Experimenting with different beddings will help, but make sure they are rabbit friendly. If you don't want it too smell in the house ,then leave it outside , or be ready and willing to regularly clean and maintain your bunnies living quarters .

Answer 8

Well its hard to keep a rodent from smelling but if you clean the cage every day and use Aspen bedding for the cage(or if your rabbet is litter trained use scented litter)and then it shouldn't stink

-Amber

Answer 9

your rabbit is much better off outside as it reduces any smell and since rabbits like to chew, you can eliminate electrical cords. make sure the habitat is large enough that it can run and hop. keep it safe by using chicken wire over the top and offering hiding places like small cardboard boxes, a litter box, or small pet house. line the boxes with wadded up newspaper and use straw for the cold nights. provide shade for warm days and lots of fresh leafy greens, clean water, and timothy hay.

Answer 10

Experiment with different beddings (but don't use wood shavings...it is bad for their respiratory system) and different cleaning schedules. I clean my rabbits litter box twice a week and use CareFresh. My sister's rabbit requires more frequent cleanings.