Rebel Bun! (litter training)

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 7 months ago by Wick & Fable.

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- 08/15/2017 at 8:56 AM
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  So, as I just posted, my husband and I begin bonding the boys this Sunday (woohoo!). Fingers crossed, if all goes well, we’d love to have them free range when they are all bonded. Bombur is great with his litter box habits, except for that one spot. Asriel, on the other hand, is a monster. Paper bedding, litter balls, newspaper, all of it he digs out of the box until there’s nothing left but little pieces. After the digging, he simply lays in it for all eternity. The only time he uses the litter box is when there’s hay in it, but that gets so messy and I worry about sore hocks with that. We have his hay rack on one side of the box and his pellets on the other side that way we encourage him to do his business, but to no avail. Last night we put another litter box down at their favorite pee spot, and Asriel used it multiple times, but it was lined with paper towels, and again, I worry about sore hocks. Any suggestions? We’ve put his poop in the box, and tissues with the pee, but as I said, he digs it out. I really want them free roam, as they are so happy when they’re out, but Asriel can’t be trusted.
- 08/15/2017 at 9:05 AM
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  Have you tried using any type of compressed pellet for litter? I found that it works out much better than paper bedding. I’m not sure if that would solve the issue of him digging it out, but you could try! Maybe he just likes to watch the paper fly Do you have a dig box? That may help him distinguish between what is for playing in and what is for taking care of business in! Honestly besides that I don’t really have any suggestions. My buns are really good with their boxes, they just leave territorial poops now and then (they are not bonded yet). But I have 4 litter trays, 2 for each bun. 1 has hay in it and 1 does not have hay, just paper pellets. They both use the box without hay to do their business in. I guess I am extremely lucky here!
- 08/15/2017 at 9:22 AM
  Wick & Fable
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  Perhaps a screen would work to prevent the digging. I use a plastic mesh screen which is flimsy, but perhaps a metal mesh or just more sturdy grid mesh? Small paper granules work well under Wick’s mesh to create a solid foundation, but still gives way to weight.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 08/15/2017 at 9:29 AM
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  We gave him a dig box, and he dug out both boxes! He used to be such a good bun before his hormones kicked in. We had two litter boxes for each bun, but they both just lay in them. Even the with one litter box each they lay in them. I’ve tried the pellets, but he either eats them or digs them. His box has a small border of paper litter still left, and then he just plops his butt there and enjoys the day. He poops and pees right in front of his food dish, but putting the litter box there cramps up the space in the cage.
- 08/15/2017 at 9:32 AM
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  Wick: this is the boxes they have https://smile.amazon.com/M-Aimee-Square-Trainer-Bedding-galesaur/dp/B01CXXTLFG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1502807452&sr=8-3&keywords=bunny+litter+box
  We took the grates out because we had read that the grates could hurt their paws. They’re plastic and wide enough that I feel like they’d be ok. Should I put the grates back in? I’ve contemplated it, but I think we threw them out a while ago.
- 08/15/2017 at 11:01 AM
  Wick & Fable
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  5834 posts
  @A&B – You can always make one to fit on top of it— if you use a litter that condenses flat (small granule paper pellets), the screen will sit on top and won’t really move.
  
  This is what Wick has: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DV68A9I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  And here’s a link to how it works with his litter boxes: https://www.instagram.com/p/BXsXo28FTcG/?taken-by=wick_theboogeyman
  
  This site makes custom sized screens as well. You can also go to your local home improvement store and look around to see if there’s any mesh, grates, etc.. which may work. You can look in the gardening section, as well as general hardware for pipes.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 08/15/2017 at 12:36 PM
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  I never even thought of mesh. I wonder if he would attempt to dig that out too ? maybe I can get them both to stop lounging in their boxes with this too haha
- 08/15/2017 at 1:04 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  @A&B – The plastic mesh I use definitely is in mint condition, but Wick’s “digging” is the equivalent of wrist-slapping with your eyes closed towards the person you’re trying to hit. He mainly does paw-ing to get to the bottom of the hay box. From jumping in and out, the mesh hasn’t been pushed out or mis-aligned though, if this helps gauge sturdiness.
  
  Additionally, if what you’re using is plastic, you could potentially burn small holes in it and use wire, zip ties, etc.. to fasten to mesh on top. You can poke a hole in plastic by holding a screw-driver or needle over a candle for a bit. I did this to fasten the acrylic panel onto Wick’s litterbox. Be careful when doing it though!
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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