Pooping and peeing right next to the cage

[Samicles]

Caesar started off only peeing & pooping inside the cage, but in the past two weeks or so he’s been doing his business directly beside the cage and on top of it (I have a towel on top of his cage so he can jump up there as well). Knowing Caesar and how vengeful he is I’m sure I must have done something to piss him off. But since he’s been doing this a couple weeks now I think he’s just being lazy.

I’ve had two bunnies before Caesar, both of them never had much trouble with litter training (I didn’t even have to train them, they’d just do it) And Caesar started off the same way. He’ll be going to his first vet visit on Friday for a checkup and to get his nails clipped, and I’m pretty positive there’s nothing wrong with his digestive tract. So any tips on getting Caesar to do his business only inside the cage? I’m thinking about putting a small litter box right where he’s going.

Oh, and he’s not neutered right now, I’m still deciding if I want to get him neutered or not. My past two bunnies (Both male) weren’t neutered and they both lived long lives with no anger issues. And I know all bunnies are different, but I’m only going to get him neutered if I feel like it’s necessary. 

[Sindri]

My male rabbit started to do the same thing and I neutered him and he never pooped and peed outside his cage again. I would suggest you get him neutered though. My husband was refusing to get my rabbit neutered but when he started doing that he agreed. I am happy we did. He is also a huge cuddle bunny since he was neutered too. You can place a litter box where he is going and see if that changes anything. If he is like mine ( I tried that) he may just move the box out of the way and pee and poop in the spot but it is worth a try. I hope that works out, you have to do what you feel comfortable doing if you don’t want to neuter your rabbit. I wish you lots of luck!

[Samicles]

Yeah I’m considering it, just don’t want to have it done if it’s not needed ya know? 

[Sindri]

I understand how you feel. I hope you try putting the litter box in the space he goes and it works. Also make sure you clean the area he is going in with something like vinegar and water to neutralize the smell. That also might make him less likely not to go there again. Oh and maybe put in some of his used litter in the littler box to entice him to use the litterbox. I would be interested in knowing how it goes. Good luck!

[Samicles]

 Okay now I’m starting to get fed up. I tried this method I read online where you soak up the pee in a paper towel then leave the paper towel in his litter box so he’ll know that’s where it belongs. I also used a damp paper towel, rubbed it on Caesar then rubbed it around the area he’s been pooping/peeing in so it already smells like him and he won’t feel a need to mark it. Don’t know which method worked cause I tried them at the same time and there was a few days in which he stopped, only a couple turds outside the cage. When I cleaned out his cage it started up again. So I tried the paper towel + Pee thing and it’s not working. Getting real tired of this and since my family is renting the apartment the piss stains on the floor are a BIG no-no.

So I’m like 98% sure that I’m going to get him neutered. I’m going to call the vet I took him to last week see what their price is, if it’s too high I’ll shop elsewhere.

[manic_muncher]

I have a cheap shower curtain underneath the low-pile indoor/outdoor carpeting that is used in Bumpy’s caged area. When he was going through his marking stage, I used vinegar/water mix and soaked those spots completely. Then would go back and sponge as much up as I could. The smell deterred him a bit, and I didn’t have to worry about mistakes because of the shower curtain.

He also would pee outside his box after I cleaned it. Pee paper towel on top usually helped, but I eventually stopped completely cleaning the litter box out. Dump all the heavy and wiped out any wetness with paper towels. Since I’ve done it that way, he stopped peeing outside the box. I must also point out, this was right before and after his neuter. He still does the few poos outside his box. I think they are just reminder poos in case we all forget it’s his space. He does not pee anywhere else but his litter box.

So neutering helped a great deal, and I was afraid to delay too long, because I didn’t want to deal with the possibility of him spraying urine all over my walls.

[LongEaredLions]

If he seems hormonal(which I am sure is what is causing this problem) I would seriously consider getting him neutered as it can be frustrating for the bunny.

[Beka27]

I was going to suggest what Manic said… Try to only partially clean out the litter box. Some buns prefer a dirtier box bc then there is no doubt in their mind that this is where they go. You can scoop out the heavily soiled areas and then just put in some more clean litter over the top.

But as said, you might still be fighting an uphill battle until he’s neutered.

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