Rabbits make wonderful indoor pets and can easily be trained to use a litter box just like cats. Potty training your rabbit means that you can allow them to roam freely around your home without worrying about any accidents on your carpet and furniture. Rabbits are intelligent creatures and most learn how to use a litter box without too much prompting. If your rabbit already has a certain area where they like to eliminate, it may simply be a case of placing the litter box there and letting them do the rest.
Equipment
Uncovered, plastic litter boxes with short sides are ideal for rabbits to enable them to hop inside easily. If you have male rabbits, then you might want to try slightly deeper litter trays to prevent them from spraying urine over the sides or place the box on a plastic mat to protect your floor. Most rabbits dislike the covered litter boxes used for cats. Purchase recycled paper litter to use inside the box. Cat litters that clump are extremely dangerous for rabbits as they can cause respiratory disorders.
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Choosing the Right Spot
If you already let your rabbit roam around your home, place a litter box in an area where they regularly eliminate. If they go to the toilet outside of the box, mop up any urine with kitchen paper and place it in the box along with any stools to encourage them to use it. You can also gently coax or lift your rabbit into the box whenever you see them prepare to eliminate. If they don’t already have a particular spot, place several litter boxes around your home. Spread some hay on top of the litter or place it behind the box so that they have to hop into the litter tray in order to reach it.
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Dealing with Problems
Some rabbits can be stubborn at first and take time to get used to the box. Try confining your rabbit to just one room of the house or a small area until they get the hang of it. Gradually increase the space as they learn to use the box more consistently. Male rabbits tend to spray urine and leave stools around the home as a way of marking their territory. Neutering your pet is a great way to stop territorial behaviour and will also help to make them less aggressive towards you and other rabbits.
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In the wild, rabbits live in a social structure where one rabbit is considered ‘top bunny’ and will dominate over the other members in the warren. Domesticated rabbits may try to show dominance over you by peeing on your bed, couch or even your lap. If this happens, immediately place your rabbit on the floor or into their cage. Do not allow them access to the area for the rest of the day to assert your authority over them and show them that the behaviour is not acceptable. Above all, be patient and consistent with your training and you will soon start to see results.