It is just a coincidence?

[Sasha]

My rabbit Lupe has a habbit of peeing somewhere else other than her litterbox, usually on a particular spot (under a table), after she is given more veggies than usual or new type of veggies that she never ate before. When I’m short of veggies in the fridge and just gave her hay and pellets, she doesn’t pee anywhere else but the litterbox. Is this a coincidence? Can anybody explain why?   This is her pic. Sorry if the picture’s blurry.

 

[jerseygirl]

What type of rabbit is Lupe? She’s very fluffy! Usually there’s a reason for these habits, especially as she’s litter trained. Trying to work out that reason is a challenge sometimes. My doe also will pee in particular spots when I’ve upset her somehow. One of the forum leaders here has a doe that does this too and calls her doe a Punisher. i.e. the bunny is punishing the owner.

Does she like veggies generally or prefer her hay and pellets over them? Is there a particular veggie she’s crazy for that she’s expecting and when it’s not served, she is put out? Or something else she’s expecting when you go to the fridge?

They can be super fussy about routine, so a change to what she’s being served could trigger this behaviour. However, who ever heard of a bun getting upset at being given more food than usual? Ha! Is this consistantly when she does this – when veggies are involved?  Does she pee there when you’ve just given her the veggies or after she’s done eating them?

[RabbitPam]

She is beautiful!
First, I’m thinking that it might help to remove the scent of where she’s already peed so she doesn’t continue to associate it with a litter spot. Like wash it with a bit of vinegar and water.

One possibility is that she has eaten more and has to go again after she’s out of her cage. Veggies have more water so it may be stimulating her.

You can put several litter pans outside of her house for her to have an option instead of needing to go all the way back to her main litter pan to go again. If that’s not a conspicuous spot in your house and you can set a litter pan under that table (she’s already chosen that spot) she may opt to go in that pan instead. I used to always have one under a desk for Spockie who used it every time he came out of his house. Sammy, however, will run back from another room to only use her main pan, so they have different preferences. If you set out more than one, watch to see if it helps and which one she chooses, then remove the ones she ignores.

She may like the veggies so much she is excited and has to go! (Or she is punishing you. Bad mommy. )

[Sasha]

Lupe is a Jersey wooly breed. She looks chubby and plump, but underneath all that fur is just one petite bunny.    Thanks for the tips, I will put out extra litter pan, even tough actually the distant from her litterbox to the table is so nearby, still in the same area (living room). Bunnies can be quite a mystery. I don’t know if she’s punishing me or upset, because usually when I DON’T give her favorite treat for that day she will be a good girl and use her litterbox. Maybe wants to show that she’s being good and deserves a treat.   She usually does this peeing ritual when I’m not there watching her, and suddenly there’s a puddle.  I already treat the area with vinegar zillions of time. She also pee somewhere else after she has ate veggies that is high in vitamin A such as watercress or parsley that makes her pee color dark brown. Maybe she just wants to decorate my floor. 

[jerseygirl]

Is it always the same spot? It does sound behavioural but do keep in mind that peeing outside the box can indicate a health issue.

[BinkyBunny]

IF for whatever reason you think it is related to a new veggie/green – Try putting the “new” green/veggie IN her litterbox. I don’t know if you put hay there already, but if you do, just place it on top of the hay on the edge where she doesn’t pee.

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