Litterbox trained bunny … or he was? HELP

[kiba]

I adopted Kiba, a seven-year-old about seven months ago. Since the day he came home with me, he has not had peed outside of his litterbox. He does occasionally poop inside of his cage area, outside of his litterbox, but these are accidents and on the rare.

Then, a few days ago, out of nowhere he started pooping in random places on one side of my bedroom, and then yesterday, he peed on his blanket, right next to his favorite toy- also right beside his litterbox / cage area. He still uses his litterbox to pee and poop. And today, I came home and found that he’d chewed up parts of my pillow on my bed- something he’s never done.

I’m not sure what’s caused him to do a 360 and completely change his habits. He never chews my things- and he’s been allowed to roam around my room since a week after I got him, because he’s so well behaved. He’s neutered so I know that’s not the issue. 
 And a few months ago, he learned how to do steps to get onto my bed, and sleeps there most nights- I’ve never had a problem with him chewing up or trying to chew a pillow. 

These are the things that have changed- not sure if they have anything to do with it: 

I bought a rug and put it on top of his play mat area. The rug is next to his cage (which only has the bottom part, not the top or sides) and holds his litterbox, food and water. The rug is also where he’s decided to leave a few little presents, scattered. However, I’ve had the rug for almost two weeks now and this behavior just started about 3 days ago. So, I’m not sure if it’s that.

The other thing that it might be is this past week and former weekend I’ve been working late, and even had to work on the weekends. Kiba was not without food, water or attention- my roommate fed him his dinner, and I was home every night around 7:30- 8pm. However, normally I do get to spend more time with him- especially on the weekends. 

The third thing it could be- and this is a reach, is that my roommate also has a bunny (an angora), and she needed help cutting her bunny’s hair, so I went in her room and have been helping her cut the hair. Maybe I smell like her bunny? Our bunnies have met before and know the other one exists, but they do not play together or get along so Kiba lives in my room and hers lives in hers. Also, Kiba was neglected, which was why he was available for adoption, so he takes a while to warm up to people, animals and is very territorial of my room, aka her bunny is not allowed in it, or he will hump her and chase her out- even though she’s 5x his size. 

If anyone has any suggestions as to why he’s doing this, I’d really appreciate it! Please HELP!

[floppybunny123]

wow are you sure that your supposed to cut a bunny’s hair at all???

[kiba]

She’s an angora… so yes, definitely needs haircuts or else she’d be a matted mess. But that’s not really my problem- am looking for advice as to why my bunny would all of the sudden be peeing and pooping outside of his litterbox.

[Beka27]

First and foremost, a vet visit is in order to check to a UTI, and evaluate him for arthritis or something else that might be affecting his mobility. When something like this happens “all of a sudden”, it’s best to rule out health issues first.

[Sarita]

I agree with Beka, a rabbit at his age could have some medical issues causing this behavior and it would be best to first and foremost have a vet do a thorough medical examination on him.

[mia]

When he poo/pee outside the litter box, what percentage of the time does this happen?

I don’t know about the chewing but when I first got my buns, the girl was 99% using her litter box. The more relaxed she became, the more she thinks my whole house is her area and pees and poos all around and it’s more like 90% using litter box. This is her normal behavior.

[Author]

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