Picky bunny doesn’t like new litter?

[Killerbunnies]

My oldest bunny Ted is a picky thing. We just switched to using equine bedding pellets for litter today, after having used a towel system for him to potty on. He is refusing to use his box unless there is a towel spread out over his litter. Could it possibly be the smell of the pellets that is making him not want to get in his box? I didn’t wipe the smell out of his box this time when I removed the towels and put in the pellets. He is very neurotic in general, but I’m hoping that will change once he is neutered. He is almost 9 months old, and a flemish giant.

[DanaNM]

I put a nice fluffy layer of hay over the pine pellets for my buns. I think the pellets alone might not be that inviting or comfortable on their feet. Maybe that would help?

Or a more gradual transition? Can you put the towels back, but pellets in part of the box? Then slowly increase the amount of pellets?

You are probably on to something though about him being unneutered, box habits usually improve after neutering.

. . . 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.  

[jerseygirl]

It’s quite possible he’s put off by the smell or change in general. It also could be the feel of the pellets underfoot he doesn’t like.
Could you try a litter screen over the top so the urine can still go through to the bottom. Litter screens sit loose on the top (see Binky Bunny store for example). That one is galvanised mesh but you can use plastic mesh if you think he’d be better with that. One of the forum leaders here used plastic knitting mesh for her rabbits litter tray.
You take a look at images of sifting litter box systems.

Something else to try is used the wood pellets like they would for horse bedding. So add a litter water, according to instructions, and let it turn to more like coarse saw dust. If he uses it like that, it might tell you that it was the sensation of the pellets he didn’t like.

[Killerbunnies]

I’ll have to try putting hay over his litter and see if he tolerates that better, and if he doesn’t, I’ll try the litter screen. Right now I have a single hand towel spread across his litter pellets and he has gone in the box, but before I put the towel in there, he would not. The good news though, our younger bunnies are adjusting to the change without any issues! ?

I’m so happy we are getting him neutered this upcoming Tuesday. He is so freaking hormonal and moody. UGH. He’s lucky he’s so cute and I love him so much, lol! We have some younger buns (they are litter mates, but also younger siblings of Ted’s) and his hormonal behavior didn’t start until we brought them home. He was an only bun until then. I can’t wait for him to be my happy loveable bun again. Right now he’s like dealing with a moody horny teen ?

[Killerbunnies]

So I put hay over his litter, and he is going in his box again. I am still curious as to what his aversion is, if it is the texture of the pellets or the smell? The hay helps cover the pine smell somewhat. I’ll try gradually reducing the amount of hay over his litter to see how he tolerates it.

[DanaNM]

Glad to that helped! Could be both, or even just not recognizing it as a litter area with the new substrate. I always put hay over mine, is there a reason why you don’t want to? I like to make the box as inviting as possible, as sometimes my girl gets lazy about her box habits. Making it look very tempting with fresh hay has helped a ton.

Plus my buns like to root around in the hay and I think they eat more when there is extra in their box (as opposed to just in the rack).

. . . 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.  

[Killerbunnies]

Sorry I haven’t been on in a few days.

I didn’t want to put hay in his box because the smell of bunny pee mixed with hay is enough to make me want to vomit. I have a super sensitive nose.

Also, Ted is finicky and doesn’t like to eat his hay. I’m kind of at a loss of what to do to get him to eat more? He loves his pellets and the few dried cranberries we give for treats once in while, but he is just so picky! I think I spoiled him too much. He is only 9 months old, think I could coax him into eating more hay by giving him a Timothy alfalfa mix? I don’t know if they have much of a taste difference.

[Killerbunnies]

So upon doing more searching, I found the suggestion of holding out strands of hay and tickling bun’s nose with it. I did that, and Ted started eating it! I’m almost thinking he doesn’t see it as a food source when it’s in his shelf? Maybe I’ll just have to start giving him piles in his kennel and food bowls instead.

I’m finding he has quite the learning curve. ???

[JackRabbit]

We use aspen pelleted litter (I can’t do the pine smell!) and one of my girls will not set foot in the litterbox with pelleted litter, not because of the smell but because it moves under her feet and makes noise. We found that putting a 1” layer if paper type bedding over the pellet litter solved the problem. Btw, we also use the Binky Bunny screens over the litter — saves a ton of money on litter plus keeps my boy from digging for buried treasure in the litterbox!

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