How to litter train a rabbit

Posted on 12th July 2024 by Green Lane Farm Team

Rabbits make fantastic pets that all the family can enjoy. However, as with all animals, they produce faeces and urine after eating and drinking. If they’re left to go where they please, it can represent a significant health hazard, and make your home unpleasant if you keep your rabbit indoors.

We’re used to being able to train our cats to use a litter tray or making sure our dogs let us know if they need to go so that they can be let outdoors. But what about rabbits – don’t they just go when they’re ready regardless of where they are? 

In this article, the Green Lane Farm Boarding Kennels team will tell you all you need to know about litter training your bunny, so you can make sure your home stays safe and cleaning up is quick and easy every time.

Can you litter train a rabbit?

Yes! The great news is that rabbits are quite easy to train to use a litter tray. They’re clean animals and, once they’re in the habit of using a tray, you can leave them to wander free without worrying about them pooping everywhere as they go (just watch out for what they can get at with their teeth!).

When should you litter train a rabbit?

Just get started as soon as you can! 

Training your rabbit to use a litter tray can be done at any age and – unlike some other animals – it doesn’t get harder as they get older. In fact, in some ways it gets easier, because they get better at learning new skills as they age. 

The only time you’re likely to have any significant problems is if your rabbit hasn’t been neutered, as then they like to use their urine and faeces to mark their territory. 

How to litter train a rabbit

1. The best place to choose for a litter tray is usually going to be a corner of their living area. The tray itself should be a good size with one low side so they can easily get in and out.
2. Use some barriers to reduce the space they can wander about in and, more to the point, poop and pee in.
3. Put some of your chosen litter material into the tray – this can be whatever you use for bedding, such as paper-based litter, hay, straw or alfalfa. Don’t use cat litter that clumps, as it can cause a rabbit serious problems if eaten, or wood shavings, which can cause respiratory issues. 
4. Get some bedding they’ve used to toilet on and place it in the litter tray in order to let them know what the tray is for.
5. Rabbits like to eat and poop at the same time, so it’s also a good idea to put some hay in or near the litter tray – this will help them to feel comfortable and confident there. You can even give them a treat when they’re in their litter tray.
6. Once your rabbit is starting to use the litter tray consistently, you can remove the barriers and allow them to use their whole living space again.
7. Clean the tray frequently and replace any soiled litter with the same material – if you change to a different material, your rabbit may stop using the tray.

Whenever you’re training any kind of pet to do something new or different, it’s important to be patient, give them time and not scold them if they get it wrong.

Ideally, there should be one litter tray for each rabbit. If you have a bonded pair, they may be happy to share a tray – just make sure that it’s big enough for them both to be in at the same time.

 

Here at Green Lane Farm Boarding Kennels, our caring team loves looking after your rabbits when you need to go away and understands the need they have for regular attention. We’ll always do all we can to make sure your rabbit has the same levels of love and care with us as they would get at home.

If you’re looking for somewhere to board your rabbit while you’re away, we’re based in Chessington, making us easily accessible from Richmond, together with the wider Surrey area and parts of Greater London.

You’re more than welcome to come in and check our facilities beforehand, and you can even take advantage of our pick-up and drop-off service to make the whole experience trouble and stress-free.

Get in touch with us now to find out more!