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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR HELP! previously trained rabbit, going potty all over couch!!

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    • breannaloo
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        I have a 13 pound English Lop Rabbit named Savannah that I rescued from a home where they clearly weren’t taking care of her. They let her free roam in the backyard with pigs and dogs, so when I rescued her in May 2012, potty-training began.

        This has not been an easy task. I have two other bunnies that I got before her who are very well bonded and love each other dearly. They live in my bedroom in a very, very large three story cage that I’ve built for them, and I let them roam out of the cage in my room as much as possible.

        Savannah does not get along with them, and I gave up on that months ago, because it was impossible. Savannah, being so large, I feel very bad leaving her in a cage, so she roams our house like a dog (which we have three of). She’s very pleasant and the dogs and her don’t even notice each other. They sniff each other now and then but all seems to be well. She has a great diet, gets SO much love, and will hop up on our laps, nudge us until we pet her, and then fall asleep. I love this giant rabbit!

        She has three little boxes in our house. One near the kitchen, one right outside my bedroom door, and one in the back of the house. After lots of work, she’s been litter trained for about 6 or 7 months. She uses all of them and seems to have a ritual with them. I keep a cleaning ritual as well as not to make her irritated or confused. They haven’t moved since she got here in April.

        Now that you have some background on her, here’s the recent issue:

        She has decided that the ENTIRE couch is now HER litter box. We have a large U-shaped couch, with fabric couch covers on them. She’s often loved cuddling up and sleeping on the couch, but with no problems. In the last couple of weeks, she’s been peeing and pooping on it, on EVERY cushion. I first noticed it when I got all comfy to watch a movie and felt something wet on my butt, only to find i was sitting in her soiled area. I cleaned it and thought it was weird. Then the next night, I sat in her soiled area AGAIN. A new one. I cleaned it once more and decided it was definitely time to observe her. Over the last few days I cannot tell you how many times she has peed and pooped on this couch. It is crazy. I’m so disgusted and definitely have to buy a whole new couch now because it’s seeped into the actual filling inside the pillows and now the couch smells no matter how spaztically I clean it. I’ve caught her about six times in the act and loudly said “NO NO!” and carried her to her nearest box.

        I swear she thinks it’s a game now, as she only does it when I’m right next to her. I love her so much, and would never get rid of her and I refuse to keep her in a cage because of her large size. My poor couch…

        I’m so lost on how to fix this and can literally think of nothing that could have caused this! AH! Any tips?!


      • LoveChaCha
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        6634 posts Send Private Message

          Is she spayed?


        • breannaloo
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          63 posts Send Private Message

            oh, yes! i got her spayed the second day i had her! i should’ve included that.


          • Nikolai
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              Has she had a vet check up lately? She could have a UTI or some other medical issue going on.


            • breannaloo
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                no, not too recently. you think so? okay that will be my next choice. i wasn’t happy with the vet i went to last time, so i have to find a new one that deals better with rabbits.


              • Sarita
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                  It’s not a matter of being litter trained – it’s a territorial issue and it’s very common for altered litter trained rabbits to mark beds or couches because they really smell like their humans.

                  Best to try to discourage her from getting on the couch at all.

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              Forum BEHAVIOR HELP! previously trained rabbit, going potty all over couch!!