Help: My Bunny is Peeing on My Bed.

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 2 months ago by Becker1116.

Viewing 3 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 11/06/2020 at 4:20 PM
  BunnyMamma
  Participant
  1 posts
  <p class=”p1″> Hi, I’m a new rabbit owner and my rabbit’s is Roli. We’ve only been together for just over 7 months. Before I got her I did a lot of research so that I could learn how to be a good rabbit mamma. I love her so much and I want to give her the best life possible. I am reaching out to you because I have run into a problem with Roli and I need some help.
  Roli is a 100% free roam bunny. But recently we both came down with ringworm. The vet had me keep her in quarantine for just over 3 weeks. During that time I was unable to spent much time with her because I had to shower after every interaction. I also had to spend most of my evenings after work bleaching and cleaning the house to get rid of the fungus. I got new rugs and bedding and rearranged some furniture as well.
  We were both so excited when the vet allowed us to end her quarantine. She has been very happy to be out and about again. However, after about a week of being free. Roli has begun to pee and poop on my bed. It started one morning when she was hopping around on top of me and kind of snuggling. I was so happy because I’ve been trying to get her to snuggle with me for months. But when I turned on my lights I discovered she had pooped all over my bed. Not just little bits here and there, but piles of droppings. This happened the next day as well. And then she began to pee on my bed also. She usually does this only when I’m in the bed sleeping. There’s only been one instance when she peed or pooped on my bed without me in it. This has been going on for about a week now. She is fixed so I didn’t think it was a territory issue.
  I have been trying to research how to stop a rabbit from peeing on beds and some places said that I need to establish dominance as the alpha bunny. Other places have said that I need to be submissive and allow her to be the alpha. I feel confused and don’t know what to do. Most importantly I love her very much and want her to feel safe and cared for. If you would be willing to help us out with some advice if would be greatly appreciated.</p>
  <p class=”p1″>Disclaimer: I struggle with severe depression and anxiety. Sometimes it takes all of my energy to get through work (I’m a teacher) and I crash when I get home. Because of this, I know that I do not always keep up with changing her litter box as often as I should. I am trying to get better at this as well. I think that could be contributing to the problem of her using my bed as a litter box. I feel absolutely awful when I go through periods of depression and don’t take care of her the way I should. But I do try very hard to take the best care of her possible. </p>
- 11/08/2020 at 7:47 AM
  Hazel
  Participant
  2587 posts
  How long has it been since her spay? Their hormones can be out of whack for a month or two after the surgery.
  
  Lots of rabbits seem to enjoy peeing/pooping on soft surfaces, especially if they smell like their human. So beds and couches are prime targets. You can try to keep her off for a while and see if that breaks the habit, but often they just can’t be allowed up there.
  
  As far as the dominance thing goes, that’s not something you need to worry about. We as humans are not part of bunny hierarchy, there’s no need and no point in trying to establish dominance with your bun, or any kind of pecking order for that matter.
- 11/10/2020 at 10:44 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  I agree with Hazel, bed and couch -peeing is a really common problem. Some people have had success with putting a plastic shower curtain under a blanket as the “top” layer on the bed, as the plastic blocks some of the smell, so the bun is less likely to pee, and then your bedding is at least protected if they do. But I don’t think that would be very comfortable for sleeping, so you might need to block access unfortunately.
  
  As Hazel said, it’s not so much a dominance issue as territorial marking, I’m guessing triggered by the rearranging and cleaning of everything. Restricting her space temporarily and then gradually increasing it also might help.
  
  Glad you got the ringworm under control, it is such a pain! One of the foster moms at the rescue I volunteer at ended up covered in it because her foster babies got it.
  
  . . . 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.
- 11/13/2020 at 10:23 AM
  Becker1116
  Participant
  22 posts
  I second the shower curtain, and also highly recommend this waterproof camping blanket that I bought! I have it as the top layer on my bed now with the shiny-side up, and my bun has shown zero interest in peeing on my bed since I put it there. (But even if he did, it’s waterproof!)
  
  https://www.budk.com/Trailblazer-Waterproof-Camping-Blanket-250D-Ripstop-Polyester-Polar-Fleece-Polyurethane-Coating-58-x-84-39809
  
  Also, I give my bun a few pellets every time he pees in the litter box. To be fair, I started doing this when he was not quite 4 months old, so it’s completely established in his mind now. Pee in litter box, get a couple pellets. But maybe try it even if your bun is a little bit older? Bunnies are so clever and quick when it comes to making associations. Maybe try associating peeing/pooping in the litter box with “treats”, and see if your bunny will try to “manipulate” you into giving her treats – by pointedly peeing/pooping in the litter box! Bunnies respond well to positive reinforcement/associations. Good luck!
Author

Messages

Viewing 3 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.