Rabbits are affectionate pets that are undoubtedly a joy to have around. However, you might hesitate to let them free-roam around the house because they may do their business in the wrong place.
The lingering question, then, is: can rabbits be litter trained? We’re glad to report that, yes, they can!
It comes naturally to them because they prefer going to the bathroom in just one spot. Curious about how to do this successfully and how to troubleshoot any problems? You’ve come to the right place!
Do Rabbits Poop Everywhere?
Generally speaking, a rabbit who isn’t litter-trained tends to poop everywhere. This is especially true if they’re introduced to a new, unfamiliar environment.
This behavior is often called territorial pooping. Rabbits will usually leave their stool in many places to claim the territory and mark it as theirs.
Consistent training can curb this behavior, and you can say goodbye to poop scattered all over the house.
How Do You Litter Train Rabbits?
You’ll be surprised to know that rabbits are like cats because they like doing their business in one place too. That’s why it’s relatively easy to litter-train them!
However, just like any other animal, regardless of how easy, this task will take some time and patience. Trust us; it’s worth it.
Below are some brief steps on how to litter-train rabbits.
1 – Prepare Your Rabbit’s Litter Box, Litter, and Hay
The first step is to prepare a decent-sized litter box, the right type of litter, and lots of hay.
When choosing a litter box, ensure that it isn’t too high, or your rabbit may be unable to slip in and out easily.
You can carefully carve out an entryway for your rabbit if the sides are too tall. Sand down the edges so they’re not sharp enough to injure your pet.
Then, fill the bottom of the box with your chosen litter. Choose a litter that’s safe for your rabbit—this is usually paper-based pellets or aspen shavings.
Place a generous amount of hay right on top of the litter. This is to attract your rabbit since they tend to eat while doing their business.
2 – Adjust the Litter Box
Knowing where to put the litter box is the key to perfecting the litter training. Observe where your rabbit likes to poop or pee in their cage and place the box there.
If they change their pooping location, simply change the box’s location too. This involves a lot of trial and error, but be patient; your rabbit will get the hang of it.
An important part of this step is paying attention to where your rabbit likes to do their business so you can correctly adjust the litter box. Remember, training will take some time, and accidents may happen.
Just keep consistently following where your rabbit poops or pees.
3 – Slowly Allow More Roaming Space
Once they get the hang of it and successfully poop or pee in their litter box, give them some more roaming space. This is an important step if you want to give your rabbit free-roaming privileges inside your entire room or home.
You want your rabbit to be familiar with the entire place, not just their cage. You want them to do their business in the litter box regardless of where they are in your house.
As they start learning, give them more space to roam and see if they continue to use the litter box. If they choose another space to poop or pee, move the box to that location.
Continue doing this until your rabbit is accustomed to having a single space—their litter box—to do their business.
Can You Use Kitty Litter for Rabbits?
Most types of kitty litter aren’t recommended for rabbits. Popular choices for cat litter are made out of clay that clumps up after absorbing any liquid, like urine. This is convenient for cat owners because the litter is easier to clean.
However, this is a possible hazard for rabbits because they tend to pick at and sometimes ingest their litter. Since cat litter clumps up when it absorbs water, ingested material can easily build up in a rabbit’s stomach and digestive tract.
This can lead to choking or, worse, intestinal blockages. If left untreated, and the blockages don’t go away on their own, this can be fatal.
Some types of cat litter are considered safe for rabbits, particularly those made of paper. Still, the best litter choice would be those made specifically for rabbits to minimize risks if they ingest some of it.
Can You Use Puppy Pads for Rabbits?
Like kitty litter, most owners don’t recommend puppy pads too. They generally pose the same hazards as cat litter.
These pads are extremely absorbent and have the tendency to expand when it comes in contact with any liquid. Moreover, there are some that are marketed as leak-proof because they turn absorbed liquids into a gel-like consistency.
If a rabbit ingests any part of this pad, it can cause digestive issues. Plus, some components, particularly those that turn gel-like, can also be toxic to rabbits.
However, some people still opt to use puppy pads as the bottom-most liner for their litter boxes. The pads are hidden at the bottom so that they’re out of the rabbit’s reach.
While this can avoid accidental ingestion, it doesn’t completely eliminate the risks. Some argue that it’s a decent option because they’re absorbent, and most pads are good at eliminating odors.
However, we still think that you should try to avoid using puppy pads, especially if you’re not 100% certain that your rabbits can’t get ahold of any part of it.
Why Is My Rabbit Not Using the Litter Box?
Sometimes, your rabbit can still leave the occasional poop outside of their litter box. However, if they seem to completely reject it and ultimately stop using it for defecating, there might be a more serious underlying problem.
One of the most common reasons may be because of any litter box changes—or lack thereof. Like cats, most rabbits are usually unwilling to do their business in an unclean litter box.
Remember to regularly clean out any soiled pellets and refill them with clean ones.
In addition, if you make certain changes to the litter box, like the type of litter, they might not adjust to that change quickly. This is especially true if you suddenly shift from one material to another.
Another reason, although uncommon, is due to health problems, such as urinary tract infections. Although this won’t manifest purely as not using the litterbox, you should still consider the possibility of any health-related underlying conditions and observe for any other changes.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, if you’re thinking, can rabbits be litter trained? The answer is a resounding yes!
They’re relatively easy to train because they usually only defecate and pee in one place. Although, sometimes they can slip up, so be patient.
Remember to be patient and use the right litter for your rabbit. Some types of litter, particularly those for cats and even the pee pads for dogs, come with certain risks when used with rabbits.
Ensure that you only use safe litter material to make training easy for you and your rabbit!
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.