Litter box issues – more tips?

[Shmoo]

Hello!

I may have found a solution, but I wanted to post in here just in case someone else had any/better ideas. My lionhead(Mr.Mumbles) hasn’t been using his litter box very much recently, and I’ve noticed he loves to go on soft things like carpet. His poo ends up everywhere, and I keep finding random pee spots. This weekend I rearranged his set up, so it’s easier for me to clean his litter box more often since I read some buns won’t go if they think it’s too dirty. Well, I noticed he wasn’t using it at all! Last night after I vacuumed up the poo, I decided to put a layer of newspaper over his litter thinking it’d make it softer and more appealing to him, and it seems to have worked! I noticed some poo is still in random places, but there’s also a decent pile of poo right on top of the newspaper along with pee spots.

I have a decent amount of newspaper to last me a while, but I know it’ll run out eventually. Can you buy old newspapers in bulk? lol. I use the fragrance free paper cat litter, and my other bun uses it really well, so I don’t want to change it. I know they have like the softer bedding that’d I’d use for my hamster(like carefresh), but I know he’d go through that pretty quick if I started using it as litter. I don’t think my budget would allow it.

I wanted to make this post to see if anyone had any other ideas or suggestions to keep him going in the box? 

Thank you!

[Mimsy]

From reading others experience and from mine with Willow I’d say each bunny is different and can be very particular about what suits them. Assuming he’s neutered, i think if you found something that works, definately stick with it.

Willow is particular about where her boxes are, and though I would prefer not to have one in my kitchen, it’s her favorite place to go so there is a box there. WE have to change that one daily now and it almost needs more than that since she uses it almost exclusively and its a small one unfortunetly. I’m afraid to change it to a different style since she may not like it.

Her only problem area was our bed. We kept her off it for about 2 weeks and still only allow access if we are there and knock on wood it seems to of stopped that behavior. I think I’d keep yours off the carpet till his consistently going in his boxes. Hopefully that will get him to get some good habits, and perhaps break the habit of the carpet. It can give you some time to hopefully get any smell out of it that he will notice as well.

As far as softness in the litter box, if newspaper works I’d probably stick with it. Do you use hay in it? I know Willow likes the hay spread over the wood pellets, I’m sure for the softness as well. The hay is cheap since we get bales and I’m sure I’d have to toss it for being old before she’ll ever get through the whole thing. For cheap paper you might ask neighbors, friends and family who get the newspaper to keep them for you.

[BumiBunny]

As far as old newspapers go, I would also check with your local library and see if they would be willing to give you their old newspapers. I work at a library and we have no problem giving our old weeded newspapers to patrons if they ask.

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