litter training

[Pam2]

I have a question regarding litter training my baby rabbit. We just got a Holland Lop. We love him. He’s very sweet. He’s about 3 months old, we’ve had him for about a month. At the pet store they recommended some litter called Critter Litter, Potty Training Pearls. So that’s what I”ve been using. He’s very erratic, sometimes he pees in the box, sometimes he poops in it. Other times he just poops in it and pees anywhere in his cage.

Are these “training pearls” worth buying? Or should I just be using Yesterdays News? Supposedly they help train the rabbit, but I’m not sure. I know he is young and from what I’ve read on your site, it’s hard to train younger rabbits, but I’m pretty persistent and don’t give up easily, so I’m open to any suggestions anyone may have to help.

When he is outside his cage, we take him out at night to run around, he is very good about not pooping or peeing anywhere. So I’m thinking that’s a good sign.

Thanks for whatever help or suggestions you can offer me.

 

 

[Sarita]

I’ve never heard of a litter actually help training a rabbit. I would just use Yesterday’s News.

You don’t have that litter all over his cage bottom too do you? I think “bedding” sometimes confuses rabbits too.

He should be ready to be neutered soon too – have you had him actually sexed by a vet to determine that he is for certain a male?

I agree that does sound promising that he does not pee and poop outside his cage and only in his cage. Just keep the area small so he doesn’t get too far from his cage or litter box in case he does need to use it.

[luvmybunny]

Congrats on your bunny! I use Carefresh as bedding and use a pellet litter for litter training. Be sure to put hay in their litter box, bunnies like to eat and go to the potty at the same time! I am currently litter training my 2 month old lion lop. It’s going well. I would just use the Yesterdays News because I never heard of the other brand. Good luck!

[Pam2]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your quick response. No, I don’t have the litter that’s in his litter box in his cage bottom. I am using a combination of carefresh bedding and shredded newspaper. The bedding is so expensive and I was going through it so quickly that someone recommended the shredded newspaper. Could that be confusing him? I am starting to feel confused myself as to the best way to do this!

At what age should we neuter him? No I haven’t had him sexed yet. The breeder assured me he was male, but who knows. We had wanted a male, as we heard that they are usually a bit more mellow. The funny thing is we have an area carpet in our living room and when we let him out, for some reason, he does not go off the carpet onto the floor. I’m not sure how long this will last, but so far it’s been great. We put his cage right on the floor on the carpet  so he’s free to jump in and out. So the area he is free to run in right now is not too large.

Thanks again and let me know if you have any more suggestions. I truly appreciate your help. I am glad to have stumbled upon this site.

[Pam2]

Thanks for your good wishes. I am also using Carefresh bedding, but I am combining it with shredded newspaper to help cut down on costs. I put some hay in his litter box, I’ll see how that goes. Maybe I’ll slowly switch to the Yesterdays News, the other stuff is $7 a bag and I am going through it quickly.

Are you supposed to clean the litter box out every day? What if he does pee in there, should I clean it out right away, or leave it until the next day? I read somewhere to clean it right away, so they will continue to mark the area. I am getting confused with how best to handle this.

Also, sometimes he poops in his house and it gets all mushed on the bottom of the cage. Of course I clean that up right away, but I thought they’re not supposed to poop where they sleep. I am surprised when he does this, as I know they are naturally clean animals.

Do you think it would be too confusing to switch him to Yesterdays News? Should I start combining the training pellets with the Yesterdays News and slowly wean him into using just Yesterdays News? Or doesn’t it matter?

Thanks again for your help. I’ll try and post a pic of him soon. He is adorable.

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Pam

Try just using your carefresh/shredded paper combo in his litter box and give the “pearls” a miss. Or Yesterdays news. For bedding, you can use a piece of fleece, towel, or even small bit of carpet since he doesn’t pee on it when out. Provided he doesn’t chew it! Some bunnies like nothing on the cage floor but the plastic bottom. If you have the absorbant material only in the litter box he is less likely to get confused as Sarita said. If he does pee on the cage floor, mop it up with paper towel and put that into the litter box after so he gets the urine smell in the box where it should be. Vinegar and water is useful to wipe cage base and remove pee smell. Also sweep up poop and put that in his box also. Only clean box as required. In fact, when training it might help to leave a little soiled litter in there and top up with fresh stuff so he can recognise that this is the potty place. Top of page under BUNNY INFO has good litter training info.

Also, as mentioned, some hay in clean end of the box is a winner.

He may already be able to be neutered. Basically, if the testicles have descended, he’s ready to go in for the snip.

Will wait now for pics of him! 

[Elrohwen]

Hi Pam! The others have given you some great litter training advice. I would agree with them to remove *all* bedding from his cage and only put down a piece of fleece or a towel. Even though your newspaper/carefresh mix is different than what’s in the litterbox, I still think he is getting confused because he has so many absorbant surfaces to pee on. Buns generally won’t pee on the solid bottom of a cage because they know the pee won’t be absorbed.

About your rug question. My bun is fine with hardwood floors and will come out of his cage area directly onto the hardwood floors. However, when we bring him into the living room with an area rug, he has no idea how to leave the rug and go back on the hardwood. I really don’t know how to fix this other than slowly luring him off of the rug and onto the floors until he realizes he can travel between them. It might also just take time for your bun to figure out. I would try to give him some positive hardwood floor experience though so that he doesn’t remain afraid of it. Unless you like him on only the rug, in which case keep doing what you’re doing! He may never want to walk on the hardwood floors.

I can’t wait to see pictures! I also have a young black and white Holland Lop and he’s absolutely fantastic. Nothing with him has been overnight and it’s so rewarding to see him become friendlier and more outgoing day by day.

ETA: I only clean my bun’s box out twice a week unless it smells for some reason. I think leaving it a little dirty will help him get the idea that he is supposed to continue using that spot as a bathroom.

[Pam2]

Hi,

I cannot thank you enough for your suggestions. It is very kind of you to take the time to write to me and give me your ideas. They make a lot of sense. Actually for now, we don’t mind him staying on the carpet, as we have two cats and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him roaming the house. We would have to be following his every move, as you have to do anyway, but at least when he’s on the carpet, it makes it easier to keep an eye on him. We put plenty of toys around and we play with him while we’ere watching TV in our den, so it works out nicely for all of us!

I think I will try the towel idea. He seems to like towels. We put one down on the carpet for him and he scratches and digs and bites on it, so maybe he would enjoy it in his cage. He really seems to like my daughter, gives her licks all the time and nibbles on her hair. My daughter is 14 and is great with animals, very gentle and loving. She lost her hamster a couple of months ago and was so grief stricken, we thougth she might enjoy a rabbit, in that they live longer and have more going on with them. Although i have to say, this little hamster of hers was a special little guy. Very mellow and would literally sit on your lap and let you pet him for a long time.

Anyway, thanks again, I will let you know how things go. I’m excited to try something different to see how it goes. He is very sweet, we really adore him. Everyone on this site is very nice. It’s a pleasure to be communicating with such kind people.

Thanks again,

Pam

[Pam2]

Hi,

Thanks for your wonderful help with this litter training experience. It’s funnny that you mentioned that some bunnies don’t like anything on the bottom of their cage because in his house that we have for him in the cage, he always kicks out all of the bedding an lays on just the plastic bottom, so this makes sense. I may try a towel, so that he can move it out of his way if he doesn’t want it where his bed is and it’s also easier to clean. I am going to try what you said about using the bedding in the litter box and see how that goes.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions. I truly appreciate it. This is a new and fun experience for myself and my family. I never thought we would own a rabbit, but it’s turning out to be more rewarding than I thought it would be.

Take care and I’ll let you know how things go.

Pam

[jerseygirl]

They are underrated as pets. You get to see how amazing they are by having them in your home as part of the family. It has its challenges but generally it is very enjoyable. I’m happy to hear you are discoving this already.

[RICOH]

we also had a simular problem with litter training but it had got to the stage that RICOH pooped everywhere, thankfully he kept his wee to the litter tray,
we were soon to discover that it was us that was confusing him by over cleaning his toilet tray I either read here or was told to not clean his litter tray for a while( just wipe out with dry cloth and remove old litter) but to give his cage a really good clean out making his house smell nice and his toilet smell like a toilet, since that day we,ve had no proplems and no poop outside his cage (other than when he thinks he’s funny by kicking it at one of my daughters. who incidetly is distraught because everytime she walks past his house and he’s in it he jumps in his toilet and kick the contents at her,followed by her screaming “he’s kicking his wee at me”)

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Haha Ricoh, you do have a very quirky bunny, he kicks his poo at your daughter.

[Beka27]

It sounds like you’re doing a great job with him. It takes some trial and error to figure out what a new bunny likes, not all buns like the same litters, not all behave in the same way. And especially being a new bunny owner, it’s important to take your time and learn the best way for your bun. It’s possible that he may not fully “get littertraining” until after he’s been neutered. It’s better to have it done sooner rather than later so the hormones don’t have a chance to take hold… Keep us posted on how he does.

[Pam2]

Thank you for your vote of confidence. I am trying my best to do all the right things. He is such a sweetie pie, it’s easy to love him and want to make him happy and comfortable. I am going to call the vet tomorrow to see when she recommends the neutering. He’s about 3 months old, that’s not too early? I thought you were supposed to wait until they are about 6 months old, but then someone on the site said as soon as his testicles have descended, it can be done. The problem is I don’t know how to tell when that has happened!

Thanks again, you gave me a boost!
Pam

[jerseygirl]

Some vets don’t like to do them young so may have you wait until 5-6 months old. But they can be done earlier. If you’re off to the vet, get them to check if he’s ready. Normally you can see or feel around for testes but they can make them disappear – lol. It’s true!

[Author]

Messages