Another litter training question…

[Disco]

 I know there are about.. ten million topics on litter training! But after reading a few and coming up with the same answers I have a few questions. 

I recently came into a floppy eared bunny through a friend- I have only had her a few days, but I read up on bunnies a few years back when I was thinking about getting one (it just never materialized!) Now that I have my very own little house bunny, I need some clarification on litter training. 

The guides here/books that I have read said that usually, the bunny will pick one particular spot (usually a corner) to do their business.. and as far as number 1 goes, I find that to be true, but as for number two, it’s all over the place! After hanging out by her cage a few nights, and having a few nights of her hanging out in her bunny carrier on my bed (open) she has warmed up to me, but she can’t seem to help but leave a trail of little bunny pellets everywhere she goes! I would really like her to have free range of my apartment (once it is bunny proofed- for now we hang out in a ‘safe room’ like my bathroom without cords/places to get stuck in) but if she’s going to have number 2 issues, I’m not sure if this is possible.

Basically, my question is, is the trail of number 2 normal? Especially since she’s young? And can I expect this to change with more litterbox training? She also doesn’t usually give a ‘signal’ that she’s going- just leaves them behind as she explores. 

I’m totally willing to continue herding her into her litterbox(es, I got two to cover her two favorite corners) but it’s hard when I can’t see when she’s doing it. However, if this isn’t normal I need to know so I can take her to the vet to be checked out. She hasn’t been living with me very long, so maybe it’s just due to the change of scenery and new environment. 

Thanks in advance for your responses. :o 

[Deleted User]

If she iis young, she is still intact I am guessing. Intact rabbits tend to mark their territory with droppings. Also, all rabbits, even neutered/spayed ones will mark when moved to a new territory. So, yes, it is normal. Once she settles in and is spayed you will be able to get her littering under control.

[Elrohwen]

I agree with Petzy – being unspayed can be a *huge* factor in a rabbit’s litter training. if she isn’t fixed, she will want to mark her territory.

Also, even fixed buns still mark territory sometimes if they’re in a new place. The first 3 or 4 days we had Hannah she left little pee spots to let us know it was her cage 😉 This dies down over time. Just make sure you clean up any messes and put them in the litter box so she knows that’s where she’s supposed to go.

And I’d love to see pics! Lops are my favorite 🙂

[jerseygirl]

Yep, those trails of bunny pellets are territorial droppings and totally normal. It should lessen. It’s a good idea not to give them too much freedom when they’re still litter training.

Within the cage it’s a good idea to keep hay in the litterbox or in a rack over it. They will poop where the hay is as they munch on it.

[jjlops]

I just wanted to say thank you to Disco for asking this specific question. I am new here and I too have two juvenilles that will potty in their boxes in or out of the cage but when out for playtime within 10 minutes there is at least 30-50 droppings…EVERYWHERE! I look forward to life after neutering, hopefully with a bit more bonding (they dont seem to like me a whole lot yet). Thanks again.

[KatnipCrzy]

I think you are going to have to tough it out and work with the litter training until your bunny can be spayed/neutered.  My bunnies are SO MUCH better after being altered- unless something sets them off to mark new territory and then they will leave some poos.  But poos are better than urine any day!

[Disco]

JJ, I actually was surprised at how much she is ‘cool’ with me. But only on my bed! For some reason, on the floor she cowers in one place until I turn my back. Weirdo bunny.

And thanks Kat, I’ll keep that in mind. Another few paychecks. I’m glad there’s a vet here that can do it, let me tell ya!

[aims]

 i have the opposite problem… mine do pretty much all their poos in their 2 litter trays, but one of my bunnies is adamant on doing a big milky looking wee right NEXT to the litter tray. I haven’t been able to work out who the culprit is but it’s really annoying. both are desexed too. and yet someone INSISTS on peeing next to the litter tray. it’s in the same spot every time, and i can’t move the litter tray because then it will be right in the middle of their floor space. i know they do pee in the trays because the paper is always sodden when i change it.

[Shelley]

 My Bunny pees next to the litter box also. Not every day, but enough that it’s annoying to clean up! She has one very large litter box she loves to hang out in most of the time, and a smaller one in a favorite corner. 90% of the time she does her business in both boxes. Any suggestions why this may be happening?

 

[Author]

Messages