House Rabbit Community and Store
What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.
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.
- This topic has 4sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
-
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.
-
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?
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.