You love your rabbit, but you don’t love how your pet leaves unsightly poop pellets everywhere they go. Despite your best efforts to train your rabbit to only use a litter-box, you still are finding their poop all over your house. You also find your rabbit’s droppings all over their cage, and in other places far outside of the litter-box.
So, how do you stop your rabbit from pooping everywhere? Spaying or neutering may help your rabbit from leaving territorial poop around the house. When your rabbit poops outside the litter-box, throw the poop into the box so your bunny knows where they’re supposed to go. Finally, accept that sometimes owning a bunny will involve finding poop in places where it shouldn’t be.
Today, we’re going to talk about some reasons that your rabbit is still pooping everywhere. We will also mention a few ways you can encourage it to stop.
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Does Spaying or Neutering Prevent Pooping Everywhere?
Many rabbit owners don’t realize that their rabbits may pee and poop in places they’re not supposed to because of hormones. And the best solution for hormone-related problems is spaying for females and neutering for males. Spaying and neutering can help many things, including inappropriate elimination, fighting, humping, and more. And some rabbit enthusiasts believe that it is very difficult to litter-box train a rabbit that has not been spayed or neutered.
If you are having problems with your rabbit pooping everywhere, you should try spaying or neutering them. This may not be the first choice of action, especially if your rabbit is not even litter-box trained yet. But if they continue to poop everywhere and you can’t find anything else to solve the problem, talk to your vet about having them spayed or neutered.
What Causes a Rabbit to Poop Everywhere?
Inadequate litter-box training can be a major reason why your rabbit is pooping everywhere. Most new rabbit owners don’t understand that simply setting a litter-box out for your rabbit is not enough to entice your new pet to use the box. You have to put diligent effort into training your rabbit to actually use the litter-box.
If your rabbit has recently moved into your home, or you both have moved to a new place, it might not know where its’ litter-box is at. In this case, you may have to re-train your rabbit to use the litter-box. Temporarily confining your rabbit to one area of the house after a move can help them learn where their litter-box is located. Spaying or neutering can also be another way to help stop your rabbit from pooping all over your house or apartment.
How do You Litter-Box Train Your Rabbit?
Litter-box training a rabbit can take some time, patience, and effort. Here are some tips to keep in mind to make the process of litter-box training your rabbit a lot easier:
- Make sure to get a litter-box that is especially made for rabbits, and also big enough for them to fit in. After all, you don’t want to get a tiny litter-box that your giant-sized rabbit cannot fit into, or that would defeat the purpose. You should also have a large litter-box available if you have more than one rabbit.
- Keep a layer of hay in your rabbit’s litter-box at all times. You should also buy litter that is safe and healthy for rabbits to use. This means no dusty clay litter! Pine or cedar litter can also kill or seriously harm your rabbit.
- Have more than one litter-box available to your rabbit. Place the litter-boxes in places of the house and cage where you notice more rabbit droppings. These are places your rabbit already prefers to potty in.
- Never, ever physically discipline your rabbit for pooping outside of the litter-box. Your rabbit will not understand why you are physically punishing it, and this will not improve their litter-box training at all.
- Clean the litter-box regularly to make sure that it is not stinky, and that it will also not attract flies or other pests.
With a little work and time, you should be able to successfully train your rabbit to use a litter-box the majority of the time. However, do not be distraught if you still find poop in inappropriate places from time to time. After all, this is all part of what it means to own a bunny.
What Kind of Litter-Box and Litter Should I get for my Rabbit?
Size is a very important factor when it comes to picking a litter-box for your rabbit. Make sure to pick a litter-box that is big enough for your bunny. After all, rabbits come in a variety of sizes from the dwarf to the Flemish Giant! You should also have a bigger litter-box if you have multiple rabbits. Try to buy a litter-box that is specifically designed for rabbit use. A litter-box that is only meant for cats or ferrets may not be suitable for a rabbit.
Be mindful when choosing what type of litter to use for your rabbit. Soft bedding, recycled newspaper litter, or pellet litter are the best choices. But dusty clay litter, pine litter, or cedar litter are all choices that may be hazardous to your bunny’s health.
Could my Rabbit Have a Health Problem Causing it to Poop Everywhere?
Sometimes, health problems and illnesses may be to blame for inappropriate pottying habits. This is especially true if your rabbit is suffering from diarrhea or other bowel issues. If you suspect that a health issue is causing your rabbit to start pooping everywhere, contact a trained veterinarian as soon as possible. And make sure the vet that you consult is familiar with the care of rabbits, not just cats and dogs.
What if Your Rabbit Stops Pooping?
If your rabbit has not pooped in 24 hours or more, you need to take it to a vet immediately. This could be a sign of constipation. While constipation may seem harmless, it can easily kill your rabbit in a very short period of time. Take constipation seriously, and contact a veterinarian at the first sign of your rabbit not pooping anymore.
How Long Does it Take to Litter-box Train a Rabbit?
Some rabbits are more stubborn than others. On average, it may take anywhere from a week to a month or two to fully litter-box train your rabbit. It may take longer if your rabbit is not spayed or neutered, especially if they are pooping everywhere due to hormonal reasons. Be patient with your rabbit, and don’t be afraid to consult a knowledgeable veterinarian when in doubt.
Should I put my Rabbit Outside if it Poops Inside?
Indoor living is much safer for your rabbit. After all, a bunny wants to be inside with you, and not outside exposed to predators and potentially dangerous weather conditions. Your rabbit may take time to learn how to not poop everywhere. You may have to get your pet fixed, or you may even have to look into health issues as a primary cause. If you do not have time to devote to litter-box training your rabbit, don’t simply shove them outside. Re-homing them to someone who has the time and money to best care for them may be preferable to putting your pet outdoors.
What if Your Bunny Still Poops Outside the Box Sometimes?
This isn’t what most people want to hear, but finding rabbit poop everywhere can sometimes be a normal part of being a rabbit owner. It can be impossible to prevent every single instance of your rabbit pooping outside of its’ litter-box. And despite best efforts, realize that rabbits are different pets than cats or dogs. Rabbits typically poop hundreds of times in a single day, and it can sometimes be impossible to confine all of these to their designated litter-box.
Whenever possible, make sure to clean up after your rabbit if they pee or poop outside of the litter-box. Eliminating the smell will help discourage them from going in that same place again. This is very important since rabbits usually decide where to potty based on smell. White vinegar usually helps get rid of the smell of rabbit urine and poop.
Conclusion
Today, we have talked about ways you can stop your pet rabbit from pooping everywhere, as well as some ways to get them to stop doing it. Methods include spaying or neutering your rabbit, getting the proper litter-box, and re-training them to use it if necessary. If you have any other tips or experience with stopping your rabbit from pooping everywhere, please make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Related Questions
Should I let my rabbit run loose in my home? If you have other large pets in your home like dogs or cats, you may want to keep them separate for the sake of your rabbit’s safety. But if you do not have other pets or things that may harm your rabbit, you might considering allowing them to run loose throughout your entire home.
Can you keep a pet rabbit indoors? Preferably, your pet rabbit will want to live inside with you as a member of the family. Many people successfully keep their rabbits indoors. Rabbits live a safer and more secure life when they are inside and protected from bad weather, predators, and other dangers that outdoor rabbits face.
How easy can you litter-box train a rabbit? Remember that litter-box training will take both time and patience. Observe the area of your rabbit’s cage that they prefer soiling, and then place their litter-box in that area. You should also pick up their poop and put it into the litter-box so that they recognize the litter-box is where poop belongs. Try to keep hay in your rabbit’s litter-box at all times. This is easier with some rabbits than with others. Spaying and neutering may help the process along faster.
