Bunnies Peeing and Pooping outside of box

[cjm]

Hi, I hope someone can help. We have two rabbits, both desexed. Donovan is approx 7.5 years old and has always used his litter box well. Ella 1.5 years old and was bonded to him 8 months ago. Since getting her she has never used the box well, but both now are very messy outside of their box. We have tried all of the relevant suggestions (they are desexed, moving their box to where they most often go, having multiple boxes in their space, restricting their space, adding old pellets to the new clean litter box, etc.) and nothing helps. (And they can both hop in and out of the box(es) quite easily). Their hay is just beside their main box and they often go right in the litter box, but they will also pee and poop just outside of it. Their area of peeing and pooping outside of the box is now ever widening within their space. They have also recently started drinking excessive amounts of water. As their bad habits have gone on for so long with no improvement with all the interventions, I am wondering if there is something physiological going on. Any suggestions are most welcome.

[Bunny House]

Hi there, I have 4 buns so I know your struggle. Have you been able to put hay directly in their litter box? Buns like to eat where they go potty. Also, do you clean their pen/area daily to get rid of smells?
I know if they can still smell old potty they will keep going there. Also, have you been able to clean up their pee and poop with a napkin and set it in their litter box?
It’s a good thing you have multiple boxes, they might like to go in different spots not just one. You want to make sure to keep them litter trained, to keep them in a small area, that will make them want to keep their area clean and go potty in the box, then as they learn, you can slowly expand their space. Some just take time to learn. Hope it helps

[cjm]

Thanks for responding. We have tried all of these solutions, including putting old pellets or pee stained papertowel in the litter box, we always have hay in it, and have had numerous boxes in their space. Still, they pee and poop outside of all of these options. But thanks, though!

[Author]

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