Bad litter habbits in office

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 11 months ago by Paul.

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- 04/26/2016 at 2:28 PM
  Paul
  Participant
  10 posts
  My 9 month old Lionhead has been with me for almost 4 months now. He doesn’t poop anywhere in the living room, where he has free reign while I’m home, but he treats my office like a big litter box. I have a litter box in there, and he’ll usually pee in it, but he will do most of his pooping outside of it. Along the wall the litter box is on and under my desk are his favorite spots, and occasionally under my chair. I generally keep the office closed if I’m not using it, just because I do find poop everywhere if I don’t.
  
  In an attempt to try to fix it, I tell him “Hey!” and try to shoo him to the box saying “Litter box,” though he then just runs out of the room. I also try to reinforce the words “litter box” by tapping it as I say it, while he’s in it, and when I put his droppings back in it.
  
  He is neutered, and that stopped him from doing all his business in the living room.
  
  So, does he just consider the office to not be his territory and therefore fair game, is he being rebellious, or something else? Any good way to fix this behavior?
- 04/27/2016 at 1:18 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Rabbits can be so mysterious sometimes.
  
  Is the office an area he’s only just been allowed into? If not, did he used to be okay in the office and has just started doing this lately?
  Do you have other pets? Also wondering if previous occupants had pets and he’s picking up on the scent in that one room?
  
  Is the flooring in the office different to the living room?
  
  Do you have people in the office that don’t go in other areas of the home (ie, clients if working from home, for instance)
- 04/27/2016 at 9:05 AM
  Paul
  Participant
  10 posts
  I allowed him in there almost right away. I gave him freedom to roam in there once I got all the computer cables tucked up out of his reach, however, after he pooped a bunch, I would close the door if I wasn’t around. He’s the only pet I have, and I have no idea about other occupants having pets. The office is carpeted, just like the living room. No one comes over regularly, either.
  
  He will occasionally go to the litter box to do his business, especially if I have hay in there, but even that isn’t a guarantee.
  
  My best guess is that he thinks the whole office is a latrine.
  
  There are a couple towels that he likes to sit on. Maybe I should bring them into the office so that his scent is in there? I have also started taking his shed fur and sprinkling it in problem areas, but it’s too soon to tell.
- 04/27/2016 at 1:32 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  So how long has this been going on? It may be him still marking out new territory. Are the poos particularly smelly?
  I wonder if leaving the office open would allow him to feel like he’s established that sooner and stop sooner?
  I can’t certainly understand you not wanting to let him though!!!
  
  When I had just the one single rabbit and shared a home with my sister, her bedroom was off limits to the bunny. So of course, bun was then determined to get into that room. Is he also pooping outside the office door when it’s closed to him?
- 04/28/2016 at 10:55 AM
  Paul
  Participant
  10 posts
  It’s been happening as long as he’s had access to it. Definitely got better after he was neutered. The poos don’t seem to smell that much, though they’re a bit sticky.
  
  I will say that the past two days, he’s been pretty good about it. I’ve kept his box stocked with hay, praised and petted him when he used it, and sprinkled his shed hair in problem areas, and he only left a few stray pellets. So maybe it really is that he didn’t feel like it was his territory. I’m gonna leave the door open for him to come and go as he pleases, and see if his behavior changes.
  
  And yeah, my bedroom is off limits to him since I haven’t bunny-proofed it yet, and oh boy does he want in! Always wants to explore new territory, find new hidey-holes, and go where he shouldn’t. Unless it’s on hardwood. Then he has no desire to venture out.
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