Litterbox Set-up?

[dolliebuns]

Hey guys! 😀

I was wondering how you guys set up your litterboxes to avoid getting pee stains on your babies’ paws. I usually use litterboxes with grates safe for the paws to bypass this issue (especially since I want to eventually free roam my bun) but she seems to be anti-grate lol. I’ve been finding that she’ll pee ANYWHERE but in her litterbox. I’ve gone through two with her already – both having grates, and figured I’d finally cave in and try out a litterbox that’s just the box and bedding since this seems to be what she prefers. Of course, I came to this conclusion because ironically she seems to be “trained enough” that she won’t pee on the carpet – but instead of going to her litterbox to pee, she trots off to find anything soft to do her business in instead (her blanket, the homemade dig box I made her, her cage liner mats…) which leads me to believe that we’ll finally get it after I switch her over to something that will let her feel the bedding. This seems to be what her breeder used to get her started too, so maybe this will be the answer to my troubles lol. My only concern right now is her paws staining with her pee since her paws are white. I also want to eventually allow her to be free roam too, so if I could do anything to avoid pee trails, I’ll do it! Lol

[DanaNM]

Is she spayed? If not then I would definitely recommend getting that done! Full litter box training is usually not possible until buns are castrated.

Unfortunately many buns will pee on soft things (like beds and blankets), and dig boxes are remarkably similar to litter boxes from a bun’s point of view.

I think removing the grate was the way to go, most buns hate them and they are hard on their feet. For my buns, I use a layer of pine pellets topped with a fluffy layer of hay. For buns that are especially picky, using a soft bedding like carefresh seems to help a lot. You can do a layer of it over pine pellets to be a bit more economical because carefresh can be a bit expensive.

I’ve found the key is to make the litter box enticing and easy to jump in, so soft bedding, fluffy hay, and sides that aren’t too high. Basically make it easier and more tempting for them to just hop in. I had one bun that couldn’t have any blankets on the same level as her litter box though as she would pee on them, but did ok with them stretched tight over the upper levels of her condo. Also making sure the litter box is large! Some buns will also pee anywhere they eat hay, so setting up the box so they can only reach their hay while sitting in the box helps.

For now it will likely help to remove all the blankets etc., cardboard with a few grass mats makes a good temporary cage liner.

. . . 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.  

[dolliebuns]

Thanks for the reply, Dana! 🙂 I’ll definitely take the advice and try that. I do plan to get her spayed, but unfortunately, I think it’ll be a while until I can since she’s only a little over 8 weeks old right now. Hopefully this new set up will help out more.

When you put hay in the litterbox, is this the hay they will be eating? I won’t need a hay rack or a hay bag, right?

[DanaNM]

that’s right, you can put the hay they will eat in a pile in the litter box, or you can also add a hay rack or bag as well. I recently had to get rid of all my hay racks because of my buns got his head stuck in one 😯

I have yet to find a replacement that I think will be safe for him (he just has a tendency to get into EVERYTHING) so for now I just put a big pile of hay in the box!

. . . 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.  

[dolliebuns]

Yay! Thank you again, Dana! 😀 I’ve been using this set up for her so far and she seems to finally be keeping her space clean, aside from (what I think are) territorial markings… (she’s been scattering poop a lot outside of the litterbox 8-O)

Also, that sounds scary! 😥 I’m so glad to hear though that your bun is doing okay. Haha, these buns can be troublemakers!

[LBJ10]

I use a BB litter screen because someone likes to dig in the litter box. This one is metal, but it sits directly on top of the litter. Then I put hay on top. Yes, bunnies will much on this hay and you don’t necessarily need a rack. I like to have a hay rack above the litter box, just to help keep things a little more tidy.

[dolliebuns]

Cool! Thanks for the tip! I’ll see how things go… and if her paws end up staining a lot, then maybe I can try out that litter screen. 🙂

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