Steroid Bunny on the loose!

[Disco]

 Hello friends, 

 

I had Charlie neutered about a month ago, so I’m sure this could just be his hormones going all crazy.. but despite repeated attempts to litterbox train him, everything has failed! He poops EVERYWHERE in his cage.. and when I put a litterbox (or two) in there, he pulls them off of the wall and moves them so he can pee where they were. 

Nothing I have done changes this. I glued a tile to the bottom of his litterbox with gorrilla glue- he somehow managed to PULL IT OFF. I think he might secretly be the hulk. In addition to this herculean feat of strength, he also runs constant laps around his cage, kicking litter/bunny poops in a wide radius that I have to sweep twice a day. I’d really like to be able to let him out to have some exercise, but due to the litterbox training problem, I can’t really let him out and about. 

Should I just wait this out? I thought a month was the cut off for the testosterone crazies, but I’m reading that it could last a few months (or more) and I dread the thought of that, because he keeps me up all night. Through a door, and earplugs. 

I’ve tried giving him extra toys to chew, a phone book to destroy, etcetc, but nothing seems to keep him from pulling the litterbox off of the wall. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, how did you deal with it? did you buy an iron litterbox that weighs 40 pounds and if so, where did you get it? I’ve bought 3 so far, each with different locks, and he’s undone them all. 

[Lintini]

How large is his cage? If he isn’t interested in any new toys it sounds like he just wants out with more room to play.

[Disco]

It’s about 3 times his length if he lies down with his feet stretched out. Everything I read says not to give him extra freedom before he’s mastered the litterbox in a small space, and he hasn’t. At all. He goes EVERYWHERE.

[jerseygirl]

Maybe a bigger litterbox? Are you using the same litter as always? Do you keep the cage floor free of bedding material like shavings or paper bedding?

[Disco]

 The latest litterbox is much larger (the locking one) and fits him comfortably, even when he’s lying down.. and I line the cage with carefresh. He just digs his litter out all around the cage anyway.. The litterbox came with a grate but I’m afraid it’ll hurt his little bunny feet. 

[Otti]

Could you find a way to tie the litter box or clip it to the sides of his pen/cage? Maybe you could make holes in the plastic carefully by heating a spot up with a lighter and then boring a whole in it with the tip of some scissors, then tie it to his pen with wire, making sure he can’t access the wire-ends?

He sounds frustrated.

[Monkeybun]

Sounds like he needs to get out to me. If he isn’t litter trained, you can put a cheap blanket or towels down in a pen so you can just toss it in the wash if he has an accident. But he NEEDS exercise, it isn’t an option.

[jerseygirl]

Is he using it more like a bed?

I would try leaving the cage floor bare. Having the carefresh bedding plus litter in the box might be confusing to him. He would just think of both as litter. They do fine without bedding, mostly prefer to lie on the bare plastic. He might be demonstrating that already if he digs out the litter then lies in the box.

[anneNjoerule]

While I was waiting for a spot to open up at the spay clinic for my girl, I didn’t even want to try training her. I let her out anyway. I liked to put her in the bathroom. It was a big enough space for her to play and I could sit in there too. After we were done and she went back to her cage; I would just go back and mop up any pee spills and pick up the pills with a tissue. It wasn’t too big a deal and bunnies need exercise.
If he gets out for a bit, he may be a bit more complacent as well and a happier bun overall.
Also, did you say you were lining the bottom of his cage with carefresh? I would put down a double lined old sheet or maybe some towels instead. This way it’s easier for him to differentiate between litter and floor. Also if you are using carefresh in the litter box not the floor (because I could have read wrong), I would try something heavier and more difficult to toss. Yesterdays News is super absorbent and quite heavy. When I used it for my rats they barely kicked it out. Hope this helped, I’m sure this is frustrating.

[Disco]

Okay, update. I built him an AWESOME BUNNY CORRAL from those office block things everyone’s talking about! So far he has had no wish to use it. I’m sure once he get’s over the whole ‘this is new and scary’ he’ll explore a bit and enjoy the space.. I even tried to lure him out of his open cage with some of his favorite greens and herbs, no go! But we will see.

 

Also, don’t worry. He’s only allowed out in BUNNY CORRAL with supervision.. since the walls probably aren’t tall enough to keep him in. I’ll be able to afford another set next paycheck. 

[jerseygirl]

Oh, a little white lop! Is he ruby-eyed?

I’m sure he’ll become more confident about the new space soon enough. Does he normally jump out his cage himself or do you lift him out? If the small door comes off easily, he might find it easier. If you do buy some more grids, ‘invest’ in some zip-ties also. Very useful things, them zipties! They help reinforce the join between grids.

I hope you don’t mind some more advice regarding the litter training. I think I can see hay in the main part of the cage? If you try putting a plain old rectangular litterbox in with the hay and litter in it, I’m betting you’ll be closer to having a litter trained rabbit. Keeping the hay only in the box and no where else. Otherwise he’ll pretty much keep pooping where the hay is. If you’re concerned about him moving the box, put a couple holes in the side and wire it to the cage.

These boxes are cheap and if you find it fails, you can always use it as a 2nd box to have around the house for when he’s trained. If it were me, I’d use the rectangular box in his cage and keep the triangular style one as a secondary box.

[jerseygirl]

Oh, I just remembered a clever solution a member once posted here to stop the litterbox been tossed around. They glued one to the floor (in a condo I think) then put another identical box inside it. Though, you did say he removed a glued down tile…… mmm…
I reckon if you find the box he prefers he’s less likely to toss it around.

[Disco]

I keep hay only in his litterbox, but he digs it out. Cos he’s a jerk. And yes! He is ruby eyed and lovely. I usually lift him out of the cage because he will not leave of his own doing, even before the bunny corral days. If I leave the door open, he hops right back in- even if his favorite treat, a tasty strawberry, is outside- and if I shut the door he circles the cage trying to find a way in. Strange.

[jerseygirl]

lol. Well, try the rectangular box and see if he still digs it out. If he does then I miiiight agree he’s a jerk but it will be verrry hard. He’s too cute.

[Disco]

Yeah, he just has lots of personality. That’s what we’ll say! Here’s some good news: today he started hopping in and out of his cage of his own free will. Turned out a piece of apple was the secret. And, no accidents outside of the cage! I’m very pleased.

[Author]

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