Litter Box Retraining

[Mozzie and Lola]

Hi there, we have holland lop siblings (10 mo old)  who are both fixed, have been litter box trained since an early age and live in a semi-free roam environment (out during the day, pen area at night). Recently our male bunny has been pooping more and having multiple accidents outside of the litter box. Luckily it’s all been within the pen area and not around the house but we are unsure why he is doing this now. We did just take both to the vet for a check up and they are both very healthy. They could not explain his behavior change without doing further uranalysis but suggested we hold off and try a couple more things at home first.

1. What might be causing this change in behavior?
2. Since he is bonded to his sister, what is the best way to retrain and establish good potty habits?

[DanaNM]

How long has it been since their spay/neuter?

Also, can you describe their litter box and cage set up?

There’s some detailed info on litter box training here: https://binkybunny.com/infocategory/litterbox-training/

I’ve noticed that pooping and peeing just outside the box can be due to the box being too small, or them sitting in the box and actually hanging their bum off the side. Or some rabbits will pee/poop anywhere they eat hay, so if they can reach the hay from outside the box, they will just toilet there.

Other buns will pee on soft things, and others will choose a place to toilet rather than the box specifically. One of my bunnies was driving me crazy because he kept peeing right next to the litter box (as well as inside it). I ended up just adding a smaller box right on that spot and it solved the problem!

. . . 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.  

[Mozzie and Lola]

Thanks for sharing the link.

Both bunnies were fixed back in Sept. Currently they have 2 large litter boxes with hay feeders over the top of them. He still uses the box but will also randomly have accidents around their pen area so unfortunately it’s not in one spot or near the boxes. We ended up reducing their space in hopes to reestablish habits, which seems to be kind of working. We’ve also tried wiping up the pee and putting the paper towel in the box for him to realize but I think he hates that and pees outside in protest lol. Luckily their area has vinyl plank flooring which makes it easy to clean but still irritating.

[DanaNM]

Gotcha, that seems like a good set up!

If it seems like he’s more dribbling pee, it could be a UTI, so if it seems like it keeps getting worse, urinalysis might be a good next step.

. . . 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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