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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

FORUM BEHAVIOR Introducing a new cage

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    • Masi
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         Hi.  I could use some advice.  I agreed to foster a 9 mth old rabbit about a month ago.  Her litter habits appeared very good.  She hardly ever “went” outside of the litter box and her cage was a cinch to clean.  I decided to adopted her and consequently had to return the cage.  I transitioned her into a “cube” type pen about the size of her cage thinking that we could eventually build up and give her more room when she was comfortable in her new surroundings.

        The last 3 days she has been using the litter box about 20% of the time, even while confined.  I’ve made it a bit smaller and have put her under strict supervision in a penned off area as she has adopted another spot in the room as her toilet.  She used to come out to play in the entire bedroom (without “accidents”).  I’m not sure what else to do or how long it will take before she likes her litterbox.  I assume the problem arose because I removed her home.  Now I am afraid to even THINK about remodeling her cage into a condo.  Help.


      • jerseygirl
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          Did this happen as soon as you removed the other cage or has it progressed to this? Only 20% use is a pretty significant change. I would think about a vet check up to rule out health issue causing this. Do you have a similar type surface as her cage floor was in the new pen area? Maybe that will help it feel more like her former cage.


        • MooBunnay
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            I think it could be a couple different reasons. At about a month, a bunny stops feeling “new” to your home, and may decide to “claim” it as hers. This could be territorial marking that she is doing all around the cage because she is so happy to have a new home that she wants to make sure that no other bunny comes along and steals it The problem with territorial marking is that once a bunny does that all around the cage, sometimes they then realize that the whole cage smells like a litterbox and they continue to poop outside the litterbox. So in our house, when a bun is pooping or peeing outside the cage, we have to go neat freak on them, and clean the cage as often as we can, anytime we walk by the cage we throw and poops left around into the litterbox, and clean up any pee with vinegar, in addition we shop vac once a day. One way to make this a bit easier is if you have left over old sheets, you can put one down to cover the floor and then replace it each day with another, and shake the old sheet out and wash it and the switch it out the next day. Regardless, I think the most important thing is to keep the floor of the cage as clean as possible.

            If the marking outside the box is just in one place, then that could just be the place she has selected for her other litterbox, and I would put another litterbox in that area.


          • Monkeybun
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              Did you try putting another litter box in the area she has decided to use as a potty instead of her usual box? I know when I moved my monkey to a new room, i had to put another box out for a bit until she got used to the new area.


            • Masi
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                Thanks so much for your prompt responses. Gosh, I didn’t think of a medical issue. I am just so afraid of establishing bad habits. I haven’t litter trained a rabbit yet.

                It did happen right away. And believe me I was shocked. I cleaned the litter box in the transition and was excited to show her the new place. When I returned, the box was clean and beside it wasn’t. I tidied up and went to bed. The next morning … clean litter box (I’m guessing she urinated in it twice??). But beside the box was urine all over (even in her fur) and pellets everywhere. I changed the location of the litterbox and she used the spot where it used to be. Uugh! I have shrunk the cage so there wouldn’t be room enough for 2 boxes AND for her to stretch out. That seemed to help a bit. Less urine, still lots of poop. Was this a good decision?

                Her pen is on hardwood flooring that I initially covered with cardboard, which was a mess after day 1. I did put newspaper down so that she could shred it. Do you think that could be confusing? I actually do have a vet appointment Tuesday or should I try and get in tomorrow? That darned bunny has got me all confused (and now a little worried). In the meantime, I will start cleaning like crazy and pray that she LOVES her new home and is marking her territory.

                If that is the case, how long do you think this will last?


              • jerseygirl
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                  I didn’t mean to worry you. I don’t think there’s a need to bring the appt forward – just bring it up at the appt you have. It does sound due to the cage change judging from the timing. Health concerns are something to be on watch for when there’s a loss of litter habits but in her case it does sound behavioural. Good you happen to have an appt all the same. I would try some flooring like vinyl or plastic sheeting. Maybe you cleaned the litter box too thoroughly for the transistion. Mop up urine with paper towel and poops and put it all in her box. What you are doing now, keeping her space small is good. She should regain her habits in not too long. Fingers crossed!


                • Masi
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                    I will try a different flooring. This morning was a bit better. Whew! Thanks for the tips. Love this site!


                  • Masi
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                      Hi. Well, MooBunnay, I think you were right to suggest that she was just marking the Heck out of her new territory. The last 2 days I have picked up a few pellets and that was it. I have gated of a play area instead of letting her have the whole bedroom and that is working too. The one spot in that room that she likes, which is in the gated area, still has been marked maybe 3 times. Should I put a litter box there also or just keep cleaning? Since she is staying in a room with my sons, I would want to try and make the additional litterbox a temporary thing. When can I let her have the room again? We would ideally like her to be a free roam bunny but am just not sure how to go about it. Any suggestions would great as I have noticed that many of you have free roamers. We want to be that family too!

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                  FORUM BEHAVIOR Introducing a new cage