Litter box re-training

[Mr.Jacks Mom]

Hello, this is my first post.

I got my bunny when he was a year old from a friend. He is neutered and is now 2. He had fantastic litter box skills, this was not my first bunny. We knew we were going to get new furniture and that it might make him upset so we took a piece at a time out, and he seemed fine. When the new sectional arrived and we moved his cage he quit using his outside litterbox. It took some time to for him to get back into the habit, er, kind of.

HE HATES THE OTTOMAN. It had wheels, it moves.. He backs his butt up to it and pees. He also LOVES the new sectional and he also has a new affinity for kissing and then peeing on my blanket. TURDS are everywhere.

He will go for a week with no accidents if I watch him like a hawk. I used to be able to leave unattended for long periods of time with no worry. Now? It’s so frustrating. Lay some tips on me I haven’t thought of!!

Thanks

[Wick & Fable]

How frustrating! I find myself constantly thinking about whether moving a piece of furniture will throw all Wick’s litter box adherence (the bit there is; there’s not too much) out the window! New environmental changes can make rabbits feel insecure, and to help instill a sense of security back, marking and spreading their scent helps.

It sounds like your presence is a big factor, which is something I experience with Wick at times. The more times the inadherence occurs without some sort of intervention, the more difficult I’ve found it to be to instill litter box habits. Are there ways to keep him away from those “problem areas” when you aren’t there? If he can’t get reinforced for the behavior, it may not happen as often when you’re gone.

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.

[Author]

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