Litter box training

[Bunny and a Border]

I have a little male bun, and he’s 11 weeks old. He is almost perfectly potty trained, and will go in his box every time, except for he occasional peeing on the bed when he can’t get down to the box or a few times on a pile of clothes. I’d like to avoid neutering him very young, and I was wondering if all his litter box training will undo when he goes through his teenage phase. If he turns out to be one of those male rabbits that doesn’t charge or mark much, then he won’t be neutered, but I assume he will be eventually because not a whole lot of rabbits are like that. Did your bun’s litter box training go out the window during puberty? Any tips on preventing marking that may arise? Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Awww I remember my bun at 11 weeks, so cute and tiny!! Rabbits sexually mature between 4-6 months. If you have a dwarf breed rabbit I believe they can mature by 3 months.. But once his testes descend you will notice the lax litter box habits. Once Ophelia hit sexual maturity, she did have a few accidents outside of her box. She was spayed a few weeks ago at 6 months, and I am still finding her “marking” the couch or my bed with pee. This should stop once her hormones have stabilized over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, that’s going to continue to happen unless you get him neutered. To them, it’s not simply “losing” or ignoring litter box habits. They begin spraying urine on purpose with the intent of marking the territory as their own, so unfortunately it is not easy to stop them from this behavior. This is a natural hormone induced behavior and if you don’t get him neutered you will have to live with your things being marked in urine and stray poops left around the house as your bun tries telling you “this is mine”. Aside from maintaining litter box habits, it’s much healthier to get a rabbit altered. In unaltered rabbits, there is a significant risk of reproductive cancers at a young age (in females it is as high as 80% chance of cancer by the age of 2). Overall, the benefits of spaying and neutering completely outweigh the risk of the procedure. Your bun will be happier when the constant physiological demand to mate is removed. They will be able to form a stronger bond with you and will probably be less destructive (for example, they may dig less because they are not inclined to burrow and create a “nest” in expectations of reproducing). It is your bun so ultimately it is your choice, but if I were you I would do some research on pros and cons of altering rabbits, because there really are a lot of benefits for both you and bun! Good luck with litter box adventures.

[Bunny and a Border]

Thanks! I had a rabbit a long time ago and he was unaltered, fully potty trained, and so sweet. I’ve read of other rabbits like this, but I know it’s the exception and not the rule. So if it turns out that he’s like those rabbits, then great. If not, I’m completely fine with having him fixed. I know the cancer rates are extremely high in females, but I think they’re considerably lower in males. I work at an animal hospital where I see animals undergo a spray or neuter, and end up acting less hormonal, but they seem pretty much detached. Like their former personality is dulled. And then there’s risked involved with any operation, especially a bunny that is currently only two pounds. Then again, my house will not be a litter box. Anyway, thanks for the info.

[Wick & Fable]

Wick was neutered at 8mo. He’s a Netherland dwarf, but a runt so he’s a bit slower of a grower. He never showed any hormonal behaviors, but nonetheless it was scheduled because at the end of the day Wick can’t talk, so if he’s doing actions due to sexual frustration or because he’s yearning to mate, I won’t really know 100% of the time. It wasn’t until literally 3 days before his neutering that he started spraying just me and nipping me a but harder than usual (because he wanted to mate, not out of aggression). It’s been about a week since the neutering and Wick’s litter habits are still the same, so no, it did not reset.

Edit: Just saw the post you made. Wick is less than 2lbs and still sleeps against my leg as he likes to so he hasn’t become attached.

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]

Messages