how do you house train a rabbit?

Question

i am getting a rabbit and i dont want to keep it in a cage. how can i house train it?

Answer 1

Rabbits who have been spayed or neutered are usually easier to house train than those who haven't been altered. Adult bunnies who have not been spayed or neutered have a tendency to mark their territory. Altering your pet rabbit is one of the best ways to speed up the litter training process. Spaying and neutering also has the added benefit of preventing several types of cancer, increasing your bunny's life expectancy.

The age of your bunny may make a difference in litter training. Adult rabbits are usually easier to house train than their younger counterparts. If you have a baby or adolescent bunny, it's vital that you are patient and understanding of mistakes. It may take them a little longer than older rabbits to get the hang of using the litter box, but they'll get there before you know it.
Make sure that you choose a cage that is large enough for your bunny and all of his accessories. Rabbits need to have room to play, eat, stretch out and use their litter box. If you are having trouble fitting a litter pan, chances are that the cage is too small.
A small, plastic litter pan like the ones used by cats work perfectly for bunnies. Check your local pet supply store for ideas for litter pans that are appropriate for your rabbit and his living quarters. Litter pans come in a variety of sizes, and there are even several pans designed to fit into the corner of a cage on the market. Any of these are appropriate. Keep in mind that bunnies spend a lot of time in their litter boxes so the box should be large enough for them to lie down in. You may have to experiment with one or two different litter boxes of varying sizes and heights to find the one that works best for your bunny.
The litter you use should be safe for your rabbit to ingest. Bunnies like to munch while they use their litter boxes, so it's of the utmost importance that the litter you choose be safe for them to eat. The best way to fill your bunny's litter box is to line it with a bit of newspaper and than fill it with a handful of timothy hay. Hay fulfills many of your bunny's nutritional needs, so you won't need to worry if he grazes while using his litter box. The newspaper will absorb urine, and fresh hay is fragrant enough to mask the odor of urine as long as you clean the box regularly. A pellet-based litter such as Yesterday's News is also a safe option for your rabbit's litter box. You should never use cedar or pine wood shavings as they have been known to cause serious liver problems in bunnies. Clumping cat litter is another no-no as it can cause problems that can prove fatal to your bunny.
Allow your rabbit to choose his bathroom area in his cage. If you notice that your bunny prefers to eliminate in one corner rather than another, than that is the spot you should place the litter box. This simple guideline can make a big difference in how fast your bunny starts using his litter box.
Confinement and supervision are the keys to house training success. Keep your rabbit confined to his cage when you can't supervise him, and in a small exercise area when you are available to keep an eye on him. Keep a litter box nearby at all times. Having a box close at hand can make all the difference in house training. If you see your bunny lift his tail or head into a corner, gently but firmly tell him "no" and herd him toward his litter box. Once your rabbit seems to be consistently using his litter box, you can slowly increase the area in which he is allowed to run around.
Keeping the litter box clean will aid in your house training efforts. Your bunny is more likely to go to the bathroom outside of the litter box if his box is dirty. Remember, bunnies like to spend some time grazing and hanging out in their litter boxes. The fresher it is, the more inclined they'll be to spend time in there. Also, regular cleaning will help to keep odors down to a minimum.
For bunnies having a little trouble understanding the concept of house training, multiple litter boxes may be the answer. If you're following all of the above steps, and your bunny is still having trouble getting with the program, he made need a little more help. Add another litter box or two to his environment. Sometimes rabbits just need this extra hint to help them make the connection between the box of hay and the bathroom area.
Changes in routine can cause your rabbit to have a setback in his house training. Just like people, rabbits can get stressed out by major life changes. If you move to a new home, bring home another pet, or if a cage mate dies, your bunny will be affected. Sometimes your bunny's actions are the only way he can express his distress. If your rabbit has undergone any changes in his normal routine, and suddenly starts going to the bathroom outside of his box, be patient. Go back to the beginning and keep him confined to his cage or under close supervision in a small exercise area. Once his routine seems consistent again, most likely he will go back to using his litter box.
If your rabbit hasn't experienced any major changes, and he is having accidents outside of the litter box, it's time for a trip to his veterinarian. There are several health-related problems that can cause your bunny to stop using his litter box, including kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and bladder stones. These things may cause your bunny to have a loss of control over his bladder or bowels. Only your veterinarian can help if this is the case for your bunny.

Answer 2

Whenever you feel like it has to go, take it into a litter box and make it stay. Or you can probably put treats there. Rabbits shed and poo/pee on the carpet. Pretty soon after the rabbit stays in the litter box, it will not poo/pee on the carpet except when it is just a mistake.

Answer 3

Find out where he likes to poop and pee and put a litter box there. And don't leave him loose in the house without watching him. They are notorious for chewing on everything and you'll have chewed up furniture, rugs, electric cords, etc. And the rabbit could be injured by these things as well!

Answer 4

Buy a bunny litter box and put it in da cage untill ur bunny learns how 2 poo and pee in it. Then when u let it run around in da house put da litterbox out so when she needs 2 use da bathroom she knows where 2 go

Answer 5

I had a rabbit for almost 12 years.He loved his big pet taxi cage.I just put a litter box in it and left the door open.When he went in it once that was it,I never had a problem again.Rabbits love their cages.I had a leash to take it for walks.Good luck with your rabbit.

Answer 6

that's unquestionably fantastically elementary to clutter prepare a rabbit. that's their organic instinct because of the fact that they stay in burrows and designate a bathroom section. My 2 rabbits are totally clutter knowledgeable. i'm uncertain a thank you to coach them because of the fact that I on no account quite had to. i might recommend getting a severe subsidized clutter tray because of the fact that they decide for to experience their backside against the back formerly they pee and it stops them peeing over the part. Fill the clutter tray with hay, which they are going to consume and visit the bathroom on. whilst that's sparkling hay placed a pair of poops on the appropriate, so they understand its the bathroom. it's going to be quite elementary in case you do not scare the rabbit and that they experience secure in the section you placed the clutter tray.

Answer 7

Here are some links that might be helpful:
http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/litter_train.html
http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/litterbox_setup.html
http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/litter_compare.html

If you want to learn more about what to feed your rabbit, how to littertrain your rabbit, and ask further questions, check out www.rabbitsonline.net!