The third and final installment in the housing series focuses on the most important feature in the rabbit pen: the litterbox.
Many rabbits spend a lot of time in their
litterboxes, and use it not solely for elimination and hay consumption, but also view
it as a comfortable place to take a nap, groom, or just hang out.
Accordingly, the
box itself needs to be spacious enough to allow the rabbit to move around comfortably.
For a medium-sized single rabbit, a cat litterbox, such as this one from Target,
works perfectly. For a larger breed, or for a bonded pair or trio, invest instead
in a large plastic container.
They are large, cheap, and easy to clean. With multiple rabbits, I
recommend having multiple litterboxes to increase chance of good habits.
Multiple litterboxes are a good idea also if the
rabbit-proofed area is large or encompasses several rooms.
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| This plastic container is spacious enough for two. |
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| White vinegar is a safe and effective cleaner. |
Setting up the Litterbox
I recommend lining the box with newspaper before adding a
few inches of rabbit-safe litter. Carefresh and Yesterday’s News are great
options for odor absorption and wood stove pellets are a great economical
option. Some people like aspen shavings, but be sure to avoid pine or cedar chips as
those have been linked to health issues. Additionally, avoid any clumping or dusty cat litters.
Place a large amount of quality grass
hay on one side of the litterbox and make sure the hay is replenished
frequently. There should always be a generous portion of hay in the box, as it is integral for a rabbit's well-being. Rabbits tend
to eat the hay from one side of the box and use the other side of the box for
elimination purposes.
Common Litterbox Problems
Tipping over the box
If your rabbit is repeatedly tipping over his or
her litterbox, switch to a larger and more substantial litterbox. You
can also try switching to a heavier type of litter (wood
stove pellets, for instance, are heavier than Carefresh, etc). For the
really persistent rabbits, you can secure the box to the side of the
cage/pen with some heavy duty zip ties. This problem,
like most others, usually stems from boredom, so addressing the root of the problem is also integral.
Digging in box
Nothing is more infuriating than coming home to an empty
litterbox with the contents spread all around the floor next to it. A homemade or purchased grate can stop this problem easily.
Not using box
A rabbit who suddenly refuses to use a litterbox
could be suffering from a medical issue, such as a urinary tract
infection or stones, or even a neurologic
or orthopedic problem preventing physical entry into the box. A young
rabbit messing up previously perfect litterbox habits usually results
from an increase in hormones as he or she enters puberty. All these warrant a visit to the veterinarian.
Urinating next to box
Your rabbit is using the litterbox and yet you find
urine
next to or under the box. This is an indication she may be urinating
over the edge of the box. Watch closely the next time she urinates and
you’ll notice her
raising her hind end ever so slightly prior to urination. If the edges
of the
box are too low, your rabbit could accidently be missing the box. Try a
box with a
higher edge, one that is larger, or even a covered cat litterbox.
Are there any other problems I haven’t covered? Leave them
in the comments section and I will address them as I can!
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