Pulling apart litterbox?

[Karrakov]

So I have one of those scatterproof litterboxes for Bailey, the kind with a wire grate on the top. It’s the only one she’s ever used and she’s 5 months old. When I first got her she was great with the litterbox, I didn’t even have to train her. But now she has the habit where she pulls the grate off of her litterbox. I’ve watched her do it, she uses her teeth to lift the front off and then pulls it with her paws. I put it back in place but next time I check on her it’s off again. Does anyone know why she might be doing this or how to stop it? I don’t want to switch to a litterbox without the grate because I don’t like their feet getting dirty from standing right on the litter; I also use horse stall bedding which I don’t want them to eat and the grate prevents that. Any ideas??

[Bunny House]

I know grates are often advised not to use unless the wire is thick and wide so it won’t cut into her hocks, she might be pulling it because her feet are painful, I use wood pellets, a cookie rack and then I put wood shavings ontop so they don’t sit on the pee, I know my buns feet are mostly clean unless they lay in the litter box but it works for me. It might work for you

[kurottabun]

Is she spayed? Apart from the possibility of her feet hurting, it could also be that she’s being extra naughty due to hormones kicking in. Is she displaying any other behaviour that’s unusual?

@Bunny House, wood shavings aren’t good for bunnies as they have very sensitive respiratory systems and the dust from the shavings may irritate their lungs. You could try putting some hay on top instead

[Karrakov]

She did actually just get spayed a few days ago, so the hormones are still working their way out so it could be that! I did consider her feet being sore, but they look good and she doesn’t show signs of pain. She also doesn’t do this consistently, it’s like once every other week that she has a day that she just doesn’t like the grate. She’s really small (2 lb holland lop) and I’ve heard that grates are worse on larger bunny’s feet. I have a 5lb holland too and he’s never had a problem with the grate. The hormones make sense, she certainly is a feisty girl 

[Bunny House]

@kurottabun, I do aspen! As it isn’t as bad! My buns have bad hocks ( ones a 10 pounder haha), thats why I do the shavings instead of the hay (hasn’t worked in the past for her)

@BennyBunny maybe all that feistiness will get out of her soon

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