Neutered rabbit marking territory over cat?

[quirkygirlx]

Hey guys,

So I have posted a few times.. I have a mini lop whose around 6 pounds and is typically free roam–everything blocked off, no wires, no breakables, etc. He is usually very very good.

Now the entire time I have had my cat, whenever he is out, he shares her litter box. I know some people don’t like this, but my vet said since he doesn’t eat or dig in it, it’s ok and to monitor him closely…

Anyway, the last week or so not only has Charlie (bunny) become alot more destructive but now whenever he’s out, he ALWAYS poops AND PEES directly in front of my cat’s litter box. Normally he would just jump in and do his business, but now he does it right in front–so disgusting! I HATE it especially the pee.. he used to be so good.

Any idea why this new marking behavior is happening? The box is in the same exact spot, nothing different…. only difference might be the litter? I typically get cat litter that is on sale.. but he has never stopped using any box (his or his own) over change in litter before so I really don’t think that’s it. And I’ve yelled at him and shooed him away when he stands next to it to poop but he doesn’t stop!

I won’t let him be a house bunny again until he stops doing this, and hiding the cat’s litter box isn’t an option–in my small one bedroom apartment, it is impossible.

Any ideas how to stop this behavior??

[Peony]

Posted By quirkygirlx on 5/23/2014 1:58 PM

Now the entire time I have had my cat, whenever he is out, he shares her litter box. I know some people don’t like this, but my vet said since he doesn’t eat or dig in it, it’s ok and to monitor him closely…

It is not ” do not like” it is more like preventing issues. Your vet may say that because you sound like you do not have a choice. Not only do you have to watch to make sure they do not eat it but you have to make sure none sticks to the paws and not dig in it.

 

http://rabbit.org/faq-litter-training-2/

 Highlighting:

• clay litter is dusty–if your bunny is a digger, the dust can make her vulnerable to pneumonia
• the deodorant crystals in some clay litters are toxic
• clumping litters will clump inside the rabbit’s digestive and respiratory tracts (the latter if they manage to make enough dust to breathe) causing serious problems and often leading to death
• pine and cedar shavings emit gases that cause liver damage when breathed by the bunny
• corn cob litter isn’t absorbent and doesn’t control odor, and has the the risk of being eaten and casing a lethal blockage.

Why does my rabbit urinate or leave pills right beside the litterbox?

The three most common things that are related to poor litter habbits (especially if the bun had been using the litterbox in the past) are:

 

Urinary Tract infections; sludge in the bladder; bladder stones; kidney disease.

 
Behavior related. (A bit long, see link)

Territory related. Winston, a religious litterbox user began urinating on the floor next to the litterbox near the gate…when Buttercup arrived on the opposite side of the gate. After Winston got used to Buttercup, and had “his” territory sufficiently marked, he stopped using the floor and resumed using the litterbox. 

 

I say stop giving access to the cat litterbox, bunny is trying to “claim” it from the cat. (Plus the other health issues in why you should)

[quirkygirlx]

Yea, I know all of this, thanks.

I watch him every time he doesnt eat dig or anything in it.

He uses his box perfectly but refuses to use hers at all. So it’s not a UTI or anything.

And if it’s territory related, that’s why I’m seeking to ease that because it’s never been an issue before…

[Peony]

It could be any of one of those three things….

 

Why just comment on one of them?

 

My guess it has to do something with  Behavior thing. Something happened, now wants the house to her self or wants a bunny mate. Maybe something happened like the link explained and does not want to go in there for some reason.

I do not know enough to comment if it is UTI or not.

[sodapop]

Hello,

Can you try getting the rabbit his own litter box when he is out in the house? maybe put it near the cat one.

I live in a small apt and my cat and rabbit don’t share and it’s working..but my rabbit loves his hay in his box so can you even give him hay in the cat box?

[Lola Pi]

I’ve had the same issue with my Flemish Giant. The cat box was there first, because we had the cat first. When she insisted on using it, I put rabbit safe litter in it. She was consistently going in front of the box (poo and pee)and the only reason I can think of is that she’s being territorial.
I’ve considered getting a second box for that area, with a cover, so only the cat could get into it. The only problem is, I don’t think my cat would be smart enough to use the one meant for him.
So until I can think of a better solution, she is confined to her room so she doesn’thave access to the other box.

[Peony]

Posted By Lola Pi on 5/25/2014 7:52 PM

I’ve had the same issue with my Flemish Giant. The cat box was there first, because we had the cat first. When she insisted on using it, I put rabbit safe litter in it. She was consistently going in front of the box (poo and pee)and the only reason I can think of is that she’s being territorial.
I’ve considered getting a second box for that area, with a cover, so only the cat could get into it. The only problem is, I don’t think my cat would be smart enough to use the one meant for him.
So until I can think of a better solution, she is confined to her room so she doesn’thave access to the other box.

Why not try the new littlebox style that is easy access to the cat while you put the normal one in a harder to reach place? That way you can see if the cat is smart enough to use that one. If that works, you are basically training him to use that one for when they can be in the same room.

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