Some people are shocked to find out that rabbits can use a litter box. Setting up a rabbit litter box and getting your buns comfortable using it isn’t too hard! Some might say it happens naturally with the right setup.
Rabbits like to poop in the same place (very tidy of them) and they also like to poop where they eat (resourceful too!). We’re going to talk about that as well as proper bedding to use in the litter box and how to encourage good potty habits!
Sara is talking all about setting up a rabbit litter box on YouTube!
What Is A Rabbit Litter Box?
Although you never want to use cat litter in your rabbit litter box, a cat litter box is perfect for a bun. Make sure your rabbit has enough room to turn around in the box and space for a pile of hay on one side of it.
The larger the box the more bedding you’ll use and you can possibly change the bedding a little less often. Just make sure your rabbit’s enclosure is large enough so that the litter box isn’t taking up too much of their play space. Rabbits need plenty of room for hay, toys, and exploring!
What To Use In A Rabbit Litter Box
How often you need to change your rabbit’s litter box is also dependent on how absorbent your rabbit bedding is! The goal of a litter box is to control the mess and keep odors under control.
Using a litter box cuts back on the amount of bedding you need to keep your bun’s space clean and dry tremendously.
However, it’s important that you use proper bedding for your rabbit’s health. A rabbit likes to get their nose in everything and for that reason, you need natural bedding without chemicals.
Bedding is also something you dispose of over and over again, so keep in mind how eco-friendly the material is.
Soft Brown Paper Bedding is a popular choice but there are plenty of options to consider!
Once you have the bedding all you need is the hay! Take a good handful of hay and place it on one side of the rabbit litter box so there’s plenty of room for your bun to sit and munch away!
Where To Put The Litter Box
If your rabbit has spent time in their enclosure without a litter box, you’ll probably notice they have already picked a corner where they like to potty. That’s where the rabbit litter box goes!
If you’re just setting up your rabbit’s new home then choose a corner for the box. You may find that your rabbit will do best with it in a different corner, so be flexible.
Potty Training Tips
If you find your rabbit is peeing in a different corner, then make life easy on yourself and move the box there!
When you find poop outside of the box, then try moving their poop to the box. It’s a good way of saying, this is where you pooped last time! Better poop there again.
If you have a large enclosure for your rabbit (as you should!) then it might be a good idea to temporarily make the enclosure smaller so your rabbit spends more time in the area with their litter box. Then once they get the hang of it, you can make their space bigger.
If you have a very large enclosure you may need two litter boxes. If your rabbit spends time in a space outside their enclosure (as they should!) then having another rabbit litter box outside their main enclosure is also ideal.
Spaying and neutering your pet can help with good potty habits and it comes with many other benefits as well!
Keeping Your Rabbit’s Space Clean
How often your rabbit litter box needs to be cleaned depends on the type of bedding you use, how many litter boxes you have, and how many rabbits you have.
Usually, you need to deep clean the litter box at a minimum of once a week. Some rabbit parents will spot clean throughout the week. With deep cleaning, all of the bedding will be removed, the box will be wiped down with a rabbit-safe cleaner, and new fresh bedding will be added.
Water and vinegar work great for wiping down litter boxes and the rest of a rabbit’s enclosure as well! A rabbit litter box should have at least 2-3 inches of bedding.
Setting Up A Rabbit Litter Box Is Easy
As you can see, it’s not hard to set up a litter box. Keep in mind a rabbit less than 4 months old won’t have full control of their bladder yet. It’s okay to use a litter box and encourage good habits early, but don’t get discouraged if it seems to take longer for young rabbits to get the hang of it.
Litter boxes are great for rabbits! They keep their space clean and dry, give rabbit parents a break with cleaning, and provide a great comfy spot for hay snacking. And luckily, potty training rabbits is much easier than potty training toddlers.
Good luck rabbit parents!
We are not veterinarians, and none of our information should be construed as veterinary advice.
Before adding any new product, please consult your exotic veterinarian. If your pet is acting unwell and you have concerns for their well being, please contact your vet immediately.
