2 young rabbits toilet advice

Hayley_Mary · Jul 9, 2009

hey guys, im new here and want some advice about my young lop ear rabbits

I have only had them a week but I have noticed that they are peeing and pooing and their bed. I put straw down but I am worried about them sleeping in it and getting an infection or something. I clean it out every day and give it a good clean every two days because it really smells.

Is it normal for them to use their bed as a toilet? and if so am I doing the right thing cleaning it out as much?

Hope to hear some advice

Spring · Jul 9, 2009

Hi there!

Welcome to the forum!

Do you know what genders they are? I'm assuming they are intact as well since they are young? I would be very careful to check their genders and separate ASAP if the gender fairy strikes and you end up with a girl/boy pairing. It's easy to make mistakes in sexing, so be extremely cautious to make sure you have the same gendered pairing to avoid an accidental pregnancy. Females can reproduce as early as 4 months. Thought I would mention this just so you are aware.. since it has happened many, many times with gender mix ups. You may need to separate in the near future since rabbits usually get territorial and hormonal when they hit their 'teen years' (just warning in advance!)

So to answer you're question, try putting a litterbox where the bed is now. You may need to take the bed out as some rabbits enjoy going to the bathroom on soft surfaces, so you may have to look into another option as a cozy area for them! I would take out the bed for awhile and just leave a litterbox there, and when they start using the litterbox, try to introduce the bed back.

Hayley_Mary · Jul 10, 2009

hey they are two male rabbits. The woman I got them from is a breeder so I think she should be right.

Ok I will try a little tray. The do like to go to the toilet on soft surfaces...as they go on the seats in the house aswell lol.

SweetSassy · Jul 10, 2009

I would use Litter boxes and put litter in it. I wouldn't let them pee or poo outside the litter boxes cause that will confuse them. When they pee outside the box use a paper towel to soak it up and put it in the litter box. Then when they poo, put the poo in the litter box. Don't throw away. :biggrin2:

Also if you put some hay in their litter boxes it will help them jump in there and sit in there. It will help too.

Also, if their pottying all over the house I would confine them to a area, til their litter trained. Since you have 2 bunnies I would use 2 litter boxes. I'm talking aboutCAT litter boxes.

Hope this helps!! Also, Don't use bedding in their cages. Only use litter in the boxes. It will confuse them, seeing bedding also. Keep us updated .....April

Spring · Jul 10, 2009

Even breeders make mistakes, so keep checking on a weekly basis just to make sure until both testicles drop.. I say this not to sound paranoid, but with young rabbits - the gender fairy is infamous for striking!

You may have to take out the soft surfaces in the cage until they are neutered (which usually improves their litter skills). Also be aware that when they start reaching maturaty, males may start scraping as their hormones kick in - so be prepared to seperate them sometime over the next few months. After they are neutered and their hormones die down, you can then rebond them

. Very rarely do young intact males go through the teenage years without getting aggressive towards the other, so be prepared to seperate them!

tonyshuman · Jul 10, 2009

Other than what's already been mentioned, the only advice I have is to wait and neuter/spay! Young bunnies very rarely are very good at potty training, and intact ones are pretty bad at it too. That's just how bunnies are...