Rabbits can be litter trained. Some rabbits will take to the litter box immediately and need little encouragement to have good potty habits. But many rabbits need a little more help when learning how to use their litter box regularly.
While there is no golden rule for convincing rabbits to use the potty, these tips will often do the trick to help you have a house-trained rabbit. From choosing the right materials to optimizing the box placement, these tips will help you create a hygienic environment for your pet while minimizing mess and odor in your home.
1. Place hay inside the litter box
One of the best things you can do to litter train your rabbit is putting hay directly into their litter box. You see, rabbits like to eat while they do their business, so their hay-eating spot will naturally become their pooping spot as well.
Of course, the hay is more likely to get soiled this way, so make sure to replace the hay in the litter box every day so that it doesn’t get moldy. It’s good to make sure your rabbit always has fresh hay anyway because it encourages good eating behavior!
2. Give your rabbit extra litter boxes when they are exploring
Before letting your rabbit out to explore, place a few additional litter pans in corners of the room your rabbit is likely to use as a bathroom. If your rabbit picks a different spot to use the bathroom while they’re out, clean up the accident and move a litter box to that location.
Add some pee-stained newspaper and rabbit droppings to each litter box. This will help your rabbit associate the new box with the bathroom. Be sure to use the same type of litter in all the boxes. Scoop more droppings into the boxes if your rabbit doesn’t catch on right away.
3. Use a cat litter box
Most litter boxes marketed for rabbits are too small. No rabbit would want to use one of those tiny corner-of-the-cage litter boxes. Anything that’s too small for your rabbit to comfortably sit in is just not going to be good enough.
Instead, you’ll want to buy one that your rabbit can fit in and be able to turn around without issue. Usually getting litter pans made for cats is a much better option (something like this). Honestly, this is one of the easiest and cheapest changes you can make, and it usually makes a huge difference.
4. Give your rabbit some privacy
Some rabbits feel a little anxious about doing their business out in the open. They often prefer a spot that offers some cover. For example, You might notice that in the bedroom or living room, your rabbit’s preferred bathroom spots are under the bed or beneath a chair.
To address this, it’s important to provide your rabbit with a bathroom space where they feel secure. You can cover part of their enclosure with a towel to give them some privacy in the litter box. Alternatively, you could place it underneath a chair, behind furniture, or even lay a large cardboard box on its side and put the litter box inside, offering them some cover.
5. Let your rabbit choose the litter box spot
Move the litter box to whatever spot your rabbit prefers. Rabbits are naturally clean animals and typically choose one corner of their enclosure as their bathroom spot. Once your rabbit has selected a potty area, they usually like to stick to that spot. Do not fight your rabbit on this.
Even if it’s inconvenient, and you have to rearrange everything to give your rabbit their ideal potty spot, it’s usually worth it. After they get used to using the box in their spot for a couple weeks. You can try moving it and see if your rabbit will follow.
6. Try a different type of litter
Rabbits can be picky about their litter. If your bunny isn’t using the litter box, it’s possible that this is the issue. Maybe it smells funny, or maybe it just feels uncomfortable underfoot. Whatever the reason, trying something new can be the thing that finally convinces your rabbit.
Some rabbits prefer softer materials. Try paper-based litters or those made from recycled materials. These are often more comfortable for sensitive paws. You can also try using paper bedding (the kind used for mouse and hamster habitats) as your litter, or even using hay in the litter box and skipping the litter altogether.
The only kinds of litter that you want to avoid are cedar or pine wood shavings (pine pellet litter is okay though), any kind of clumping litter, and any heavily scented litter.
- Learn more about the types of litter to use for rabbits
7. Put a mat underneath the litter box
Placing a mat under your rabbit’s litter box can also help maintain a clean living space. Choose a mat that’s easy to clean and large enough to extend several inches beyond the litter box edges. I also don’t recommend using a rubber mat since many rabbits will try to chew on those. Instead, use some kind of fabric bath bat.
Using a mat under the litter box will help to can any urine if your rabbit likes to hang their butt off the edge of the litter box (it happens more often than you think). It also means if you need to move the litter box (for example: when you’re scooping out the litter box), the mat will be there if your rabbit gets confused.
