Bun ignores litterbox!!!

[JMGallina]

I have a 9-month old Lion-head male bun who has recently decided that the world is his litterbox.  We adopted him in June, and he was trained then (other than a few territorial poos).  In August we did a major clean/rearrange of the house to put it up on the market, and his potty habits have gone consistently downhill since then.  There is a 6-foot stretch of carpet between his litter box and his cage and as far as he’s concerned, the entire thing is for him.  Anything I can do, short of locking him up forever??? 

–Jana & Taren

[jerseygirl]

Your profile indicated your bunny is neutered correct? At first, I thought it may be hormones and time for the op but as that is already done, perhaps it is the change of environment or layout that has thrown him.

Has he still got his original litter box? Did you rearrange his area as well? Maybe the litter box is too small for him now or you’ve changed the type of litter you use.

I’d be consistant about putting droppings back in the box and maybe reduce his free range area until he re learns the habit.

[Beka27]

ditto JerseyGirl. some rabbits are affected adversely to changes in their environment more than others. i’m curious to know the answers to the questions she asked.

i am a little confused by your description… there is carpet between his cage and litterbox, is there no litterbox in his cage? or what exactly is the set-up?

[JMGallina]

Yes, he had that little trip to the vet after deciding some of the kids’ play balls were fun to bounce

 

The layout of the house really hasn’t changed, mostly we just de-cluttered the house.  His litter box corner and cage never moved, and we haven’t changed anything with them.  I suppose the box could be too small for him, as he’s grown since we’ve gotten him.  We’ve been trying to urge him over to a corner box (one with a grid in the bottom) because we thought maybe he doesn’t like sitting in his droppings, etc.  That box has been available all summer, though, next to his standard box.

 

There is no litterbox in his cage, but there never has been.  This is my first bun who used a litterbox (my first just used his cage) so we’re both learning here!  His cage is located in the dining room (carpeted) and so is his litterbox.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hmmm I’d start by decreasing his run area and putting poops in the box, as they suggested.
Is he peeing outside of the litter box too? Sudden loss of litter habits, especially including pee can indicate a urinary tract infection or other problem, maybe a trip to the vet just to make sure everythings fine?

That’s too funny he was ‘bouncing’ on the kids ball!

[JMGallina]

Just an update…

I got a new, bigger litterbox for Taren, and he immediately jumped in it and did his business. Also got an extra one to keep in the room where my husband and I usually are in the evening, so he could be confined to that room with us. Before, that was when he would do his dirty work, when we weren’t there to catch him. The extra box is now his favorite ‘sit-and-munch-hay’ spot. I’ve also been cleaning out his litterbox more often, as I noticed that he would squat next to it if His Highness thought it was too dirty to use.

I am happy to report that he is now back to being potty-trained!
Thanks for your advice!

[jerseygirl]

Happy to hear that His Highness is Pleased!  I sometimes think the litterbox issues are another form of communication for the little scamps!

[BinkyBunny]

Rucy is like that – if the box is dirty, then she won’t put her precious feet in. I’m glad to hear the bigger box worked! yeah!  If for whatever reason it starts to happen again, you can try to add some of his favorite greens and/or treats to the box.  If he likes mint or rosemary, they’re great to add because they smell nice and make for a healthy treat along with a handful of hay.

[Beka27]

oh that’s great! thank you for the update. some buns have different preferences as far as their litterbox. if it’s the same box you had when he was 3 months, it might have been too small for his grown-up 9-month-old behind… LOL!

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