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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 Territorial Marking or medical concern?

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    • DanaNM
      Moderator
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        Hey ya’ll. Hoping I can get some ideas on what to do about Bertha peeing outside her box.

        So as many of you know, I have a newly bonded pair of senior bunnies, Bertha (8+) and Bun Jovi (9). Bertha was previously bonded to Moose, who had terrible litter box habits. So, we had added an extra box for him, which Bertha started using. It helped, but they would both still pee in other places as well. 

        Moose passed away in Jan. Bertha’s box habits got better, but she would still pee in various corners. She would even go right next to the new box. Putting lots of enticing hay in the box helped, but it wasn’t 100%. 

        Throughout pre-bonding with BJ, she was pretty good about marking when she wasn’t on that side of the apartment, and would sometimes go whole days without peeing outside her box. 

        Fast forward to now. Bonded for about a week (very new still, I know). They now have free run of the main room in my apartment. Bertha has been marking a lot in that same area, and also occasionally other places too. Today she also peed on a condo level, which she hadn’t really done before. 

        I wanted to wait about a week or so to see if it calmed down before adding another litter box again. It seems like even with the box, she will still mark right next to it, so not sure if it will help much. 

        My concern is, do you guys think it’s still territorial, or should I be thinking about something medical? Like maybe arthritis? Or something else? 

        I’ve been cleaning the area with vinegar, and last night she went right back and peed again 3 times (each time after I had cleaned it up). 

        So I’m leaning towards it being territorial. I’ve heard if you clean it they will remark, if you don’t they will remark. I’m at a loss. 

        I just don’t want to completely write-off the possibility of a medical concern, since this has been going on since Moose, and continued even before we brought BJ home for pre-bonding. Maybe she’s just getting lazy as she gets older? 

        Other than this she seems normal. Does her normal amount of binkies, eating well, all of that. 

        . . . 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.  


      • ThorBunny
        Participant
        824 posts Send Private Message

          It does sound territorial to me as well. I’ve heard of people leaving a rag soaked in a little pee in trouble spots to stop rabbits from peeing on the couch or bed. That worked really well for us when Thor was peeing on the couch. Could you try something similar? That way it may at least spare your poor carpet

          In terms of possible arthritis – does she have any trouble jumping or getting around otherwise?


        • DanaNM
          Moderator
          9054 posts Send Private Message

            She hasn’t marked at all this morning, and only once last night!

            She has not issues hopping up to the 4th level of her condo… so I think you’re right that it prob is just sassy territorial marking.

            Last night I opted to soak up the pee, but not use vinegar on it to see what happens. She hasn’t remarked the area… so fingers crossed!

            . . . 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.  


          • ThorBunny
            Participant
            824 posts Send Private Message

              Just curious, did leaving the pee smell work? Any more marking?


            • DanaNM
              Moderator
              9054 posts Send Private Message

                So, I tried leaving the pee spot for a day and it didn’t help (she marked again right near it). But, I did clean the area really well with my spot carpet cleaner and an unfragranced enzyme shampoo, and the marking has reduced a lot. Yesterday she didn’t mark at all. Today I just noticed one spot, but much better than the 4 times in one night that was happening before.

                I realized that area of the carpet was smelling REALLY strongly of vinegar, so I’m wondering if she was remarking to cover that smell! I’ve also been waiting until they are locked in their condo for the day to clean, so the area has time to dry (the enzyme continues to work as it dries) before they come out again.

                More time has also passed, so that could be part of it as well as she settles into her new bond. So I’m just going to tough it out a bit more before adding another box. I can handle one accident every two days…. but 5 in a day was getting pretty frustrating. I might even get a new piece of fabric to put around the base of my bed, because she might be marking there because of smells from the old fabric.

                . . . 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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            Forum BEHAVIOR Territorial Marking or medical concern?