Hi there! So, first off, I wouldn’t use essential oils as a first step. Bunnies shouldn’t smell so let’s have a look at some possible causes.
- What kind of enclosure/living arrangement do they have?
- What kind of litter tray are they using?
- How specifically often do you swap their litter?
- What other cleaning is going on?
- Are any of your bunnies having difficulty with the litter trays?
- Are they all fixed?
- What does their diet consist of?
- When were they last looked at by a vet? / how old? body score?
Having kept rabbits for approximately 14 years I have experienced smelly rabbits and clean rabbits. What I have been able to determine, and it’s backed up by almost every keeper and vet, is that smelly bunnies are not well bunnies. Excess weight, mobility issues, injury, and age can make a normally scent-free bunny space smell bad. This is due to their inability to fully clean themselves and they end up unable to groom their sanitary areas leading to a buildup (smell) and infection (possibly). If you think this might be a cause, have them examined by a vet asap so you can learn wellness care.
If the odour is coming from the heat, I’d be concerned with the materials you’re using. Urine-soaked accessories/toys/blankets will smell awful if it’s warm/wet. You can clean with vinegar to neutralise odours. I soak my litter trays in norwex laundry solution (unscented and no harsh chemicals) once a week and then rinse with vinegar- I dump their litter twice a week into the green compost bin. I use regular old newspapers for their medium and top it with straw hay for moisture capturing. I also sweep their room every morning and steam clean their carpets once a week because I have a senior bun and she cannot groom her unders.
I’ve outlined a number of cleaning measures in the hopes something there is the cause of smelly bunnies. Remember, a little bit of smell if normal AS they’re pooping because it’s fresh but lingering smells might indicate a cleaning issue either for the bunnies or their environment.
Good luck!
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