Bunny peed into the bowl with food

[Kata]

I have a really big problem with teaching Bruce to use the litter box. I’m waiting for the neutering on 25th but until this date it’s only getting worse everyday. In his cage I left only litter box and bowls with food and water. Despite of having plastic all over he’s pooping only outside the litter box and today he took all the hay from the carrier and peed into the corner of his cage where he had food. What does that mean? Is he that stupid or that mean?

[Kata]

+ Just wanted to add I am using Carefresh bedding and clean the litter box every other day + I’m feeding him with vegetables and the bowl he peed into today was pellets Burgess Excel and this is the food he was eating at the previous owner and so far it looked liked he really liked it at least at the begging he was eating it gladly

[Louiethebunny]

When some rabbits pee outside of their litter box, it can sometimes point to a UTI, but since your rabbit isn’t neutered, it could be territorial? It is strange that he would pee in his food.

[Wick & Fable]

It sounds like he is following his natural instinct, rather than being stupid. Humans don’t “teach” rabbits to use the litter box per say — we more so take advantage of a natural tendency in fixed rabbits to go to the bathroom in routine places, especially while eating.

It sounds like he wanted to use the restroom in that corner which makes sense as many rabbits prefer going in corners. I suspect due to the sense of security. One of my rabbits often pees in random corners of the free roam space, in addition to using his litter boxes.

I can’t quite imagine the set up based on your description, but it also sounds like he peed in a spot associated with food, which is also typical. Rabbits will frequently poop and pee while eating, which is why hay is placed in litter boxes.

How is his area set up?

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.

[Kata]

Right now he has big litter box with walls. There’s Carefresh and hay in it + three bowls one with pallets, one with vegetables and third with water. Also there was a carrier full of day on one of the walls. I took the blanket and everything else that was there because he was pissing and pooping all over but it didn’t help as he’s still doing the same avoids litter box as it is possible.

[jerseygirl]

He’s a stubborn one! The neuter day can’t come soon enough, I expect.

You had mentioned in your other thread about the enclosed litter box. Are you able to remove the top of that and see how that goes for now? I do think it being bigger box is a step in the right direction.

Are you able to raise the bowls up on a low box or shelf?

[DanaNM]

As jersey mentioned, I also wonder if the tall sided litter box might make him less likely to jump in?

. . . 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.  

[Louiethebunny]

Does your rabbit recognize the fact that he is supposed to go into the litter box? my rabbit didn’t poop of pee for an entire day when I got him because he didn’t realize he was supposed to go into the box. I just picked him up and placed him in to to help him realize he should actually be sitting in there.

[LBJ10]

If the litter box is enclosed, I would remove the top.

[Kata]

No he can jump in easily. I’m fact he is sleeping in it all the time and even today he was sleeping in the litter box then got out of it, peed onto the plastic next to the litter box and lied on it… and I’m really doing anything I can to let him know this is a litter box every day I’m putting wet tissues with what he’s done and also poop and I’m putting it into the cage.

[Kata]

I think he should cause I’m putting him into it and also every wet tissue and every poop I have from around I put there. Still it’s either my carpet or plastic next to the litter box (cause there is nothing in his cage now only food and litter box

[DanaNM]

OMG what a rascal!

I don’t really know what to suggest other than to hang on and wait for neuter day. Puppy pee pads might be really helpful in the meantime as long as he doesn’t eat them.

. . . 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.  

[Lucas the Bun]

I found a dead cricket in my bunny hay and he won’t eat pellets only hay (please advise) we’ve ordered orchard grass hay but it’s not coming till the 28th of June

[DanaNM]

Hi Lucas,

There isn’t anything wrong with your hay, it should still be safe to feed. Also it’s best to start a new topic when you have a question of your own.

. . . 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.  

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