Suddenly not using litterbox as often

[Jamm]

 My bunny is turning 4 this year, has always been great with his litterbox. There are usually a few stray poop here and there (but quite rarely), but always pees in his litterbox. Recently, he hasn’t been using his litterbox as often- he still goes to pee and poop (sometimes) in his litterbox, but i always find him pooping wherever he sits/lies down. He is allowed free roam of my room during the day and at night he stays in his cage, but he’s never had this behaviour before!

I haven’t changed his change in any way, except for the addition of a new cat bed (which he loves and uses) but also poops on when he lies down on it. I would like to add that this behaviour started before I added the new cat bed so that probably isn’t the reason for this behaviour.

Also, I’m not sure if this has anything to do with it, but I’ve noticed his poo size being bigger than it used to be, which may be due the introduction of pellets. My bunny used to eat strictly hay and veggies as whenever he ate pellets, he’d be picky and only want pellets. But a few weeks back I re-introduced it (and his poop has gotten bigger). Apart from the size, nothing else is different from normal. 

Does anyone know why this happens? and what i can do to stop this behaviour? It’s not just 1 or 2 poo pellets, it’s usually more than 5 that I spot after he gets up from that area he was sitting at.

[RabbitPam]

Hi, Jamm,
Sorry your post seems to have fallen out of view before getting an answer. I just reread the post about his cold ears that you wrote about a week before this.

I’m thinking that it’s time for a check up. While I don’t think this is worrisome behavior, taken with his small changes here and there, I’d say it would be worth a complete exam if only to get a clean bill of health. Where you’re reintroduced pellets, it may have a bearing on his behavior and certainly is effecting his poos.

If his litter habits haven’t improved by now, have him checked out, tell your vet all your observations, and see if it is connected in her mind and if she has any suggestions. Otherwise, I’d try a reward system where you lure him back to the litter box with a tiny treat or praise. But be sure to have the vet check his legs for any itis-like discomfort. He may be getting sore there and reluctant to make the climb into the box.

[Author]

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