Why on the couch?!?!

[HatterBunny]

So Hatter is a free ranging bunny, except for my husband and I’s bedroom. He loves having the free room in our apartment and ALWAYS goes in his litterbox. He has never had a mistake before. Well, last night (which is usually when he is most active) he started running around, binkying, flopping, jumping up and down, up and down, up and down on the couch….a mad man. Finally he jumped on the couch and just sat there. I thought he was taking a break so I didn’t say anything to him. When he jumped down he had PEED on the couch!!!  I was in such shock and almost felt “betrayed.” He is a neutered male and there is no reason for him to mark territory. Could this simply have been a mistake?? I cleaned it up and as of this morning he hasn’t made any more mistakes. I checked his litterbox and he went again in there like he always does.

[usagi]

We were having the same problem with our bun, but with the bed. He seemed fine up there, until one day he peed on the bed. After that, almost every time he went up, he peed. I don’t understand it – he has never had any pee problems before. Has anyone else had a similar experience? During the day we have to “bunny proof” the bed so he doesn’t jump up, which is sad, because we would love to have him up there with us.

[Elrohwen]

Even neutered buns feel the need to mark territory sometimes, unfortunately. Couches are a popular peeing spot because a) it smells very much like us humans, so the bun feels the need to make it his and b) it’s nice and absorbant.

He may not do it again, or you may need to put a water proof cover or something on the couch cushions until he learns. Just make sure you clean it up very well with a vinegar/water solution so he can’t smell that he has peed there.

[Sarita]

Probably because they enjoy it and are marking it as their own.

What you should try is once they’ve been up on the couch or bed for a few minutes is to put them in their litterbox and pet and praise until they pee. Keep doing this and hopefully he/she will get the message and stop peeing their.

This is very typical rabbit behavior.

[HatterBunny]

I really hope he doesn’t do it again! Of course I’m sure everyone feels that way when their bunny does that.  I guess only time will tell…

[Sarita]

If you see him on the couch then put him in the litter box and praise him – it most likely will happen again if he gets on the couch.

[usagi]

That seems like the best approach… We tried all sorts of mattress covers, etc. but it got so frustrating, not to mention messy, that we just don’t let him up in the bed anymore. Next time he manages to sneak up, we will try the litterbox approach.

[bunnytowne]

Cotton had started that again but on my red fleece blanky I used when it was cold..  So.. I watched him when he would hop off me and to the blankie.  I saw his little rump poke out and I shouted hey loud and shoved him with my foot. 

Caught him just in time.   After that he went right over to his box and used it.   Hasnt’ done it since.  Hopefully he won’t start agian either.

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