Bunny Peeing On Bed

[JChoi]

Hey Bunny Lovers,

In search of some help.

I have 2x 2 Year old Bunnies that are fully bonded 1 Loves to Cuddle (Chestnut) and the Other (Lulu) not so much.  My Girlfriend and I just recently moved into our new house and we quickly set up our bunnies litter box and all.  They know where their litter box is and use it daily but for some reason ever since we moved here, 2 Weeks now, Lulu keeps jumping on the bed at night when we are sleeping and Peeing and Pooing between us.  This never happened at the old house nor does it happen during the day.  She has full access to the bed during the day and all but only when we go to bed she jumps on to pee and poo.  Chestnut on the other hand jumps on the bed and sleeps with us at times and loves cuddles and never had an accident.

It’s been 2 weeks of washing the sheets and Comforter.  At first we thought it might be a stress thing but she flops a lot at the walls of the bedroom so we thought she was comfortable.  During the day she wouldn’t jump on the bed or have any accidents like this… It’s strictly only when we fall asleep.  Our routine hasn’t changed, we give them vegetables at night and some pebbles before we go to sleep and they enjoy that.

Any of you guys can give suggestions to stop this behavior ?  I don’t really want to put them in a cage or anything because we’ve let them free roam since we basically got them 1.5 years ago. Chestnut (Brown) is still an angel since we gotten him.  It’s just Lulu (Grayish Black).

 

Thanks,

 

[DanaNM]

OMG that picture is so cute!

I think what you’re seeing is likely some territorial marking because you moved. Bed-peeing can be a problem for lots of bunnies as well. The combo of the soft texture and strong smell of humans can trigger them to mark (which would also explain why she does it when you are in bed). Consider it a sign that she wants everyone to know that you are HER humans!

It will probably help to temporarily confine them to a smaller space and/or block access to the bed with an x-pen. Usually territorial marking after moving calms down over the course of a few weeks, but you don’t want it to become a habit for her.

. . . 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.  

[JChoi]

Hi Dana,

Thanks for the reply.  We really hope that the behavior stops but I really feel bad if I close the door and keep them in the other room to sleep while we sleep in the other.

Thanks regarding about the picture it’s one of those rare ones, I’ve never seen Chestnut do that before and He held it like that for 10 minutes at least and I was just snapping away on my phone.

 

 

[FunnyBunny]

I am having a similar problem.  Louie is 7 months old and a cuddly love bug but a couple weeks ago he started peeing and pooping on my bed and now he has turned into a regular poop monster even going so far as to pee and poop on top of me while I sleep.  I am new at this and have no idea what is going on or what to do about it.

[Wick & Fable]

I understand you may feel “bad” about restricting their space at night, and ultimately that is likely the most effective way to get them to stop peeing on your bed.

Rabbits like to pee/poop on soft things, and once they discover the bed, it is almost impossible to get them not to. They do not understand the concept of it being your bed nor will ever understand why they “should not” do it. The number of rabbits who are able to regularly access a bed and never poop/pee on it is very small.

Restricting space/blocking access from the bed is typically the only effective method.

@FunnyBunny – If Louie is not yet neutered, his hormones are likely contributing a lot to his pooping/peeing outside his litter box. That being said, even after neutering, he may still do it on the bed, for the reasons I state above.

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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