Bunnies have 'unlearnt' their toilet training - help!

[JerryfromAus]

Hello

I have recently got a new bunny who is in the process of bonding with my other bunny. They get along well and snuggle and groom each other but they both seem to have lost some of their toilet training skills.

Both were fully toilet trained, now they urinate in a shared litter tray but poo just next to the tray. I keeping putting the poopsin the tray but they keep doing it just outside it and around it - both of them!

How can I get them to do it in the tray??

Thanks!

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Is the litter box big enough for both of them? Bonded pairs do seem to like to use the litter box at the same time, or at least sit in it together, so a bigger one is a good idea. You might have to be creative with finding one especially if your rabbits are on the larger side.

It could also be a territorial issue. Both want to claim the cage, so are pooping to mark the territory.

I would get a bigger box if you can first. Also clean the cage really well. White vinegar is good for getting rid of the smell and helping prevent them from continuing to mark the area. If you use blankets in the cage, wash them and add some vinegar to the load too. It might be a good idea to not use blankets or other soft stuff neat the box for a while to help them get back on track with the litter habits.

 

[JerryfromAus]

Hi Kate

They're not in a cage - they have free roam in a room and the kitty litter's in the corner.

I'll try getting a bigger one, hopefully it helps.

Thanks

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Ok, didn't know they have free roam
I don't know what kind of flooring you have, but it might be good to put something easy to clean in the area around the litter box so any accidents are easy to clean. It should also not allow liquid to seep through as that could ruin the floor underneath. A plastic shower curtain, table cloth, drop sheet or even a cheap tarp would work.

 

[JerryfromAus]

Just went and got some plastic covering. I'm also going to use it for under their food bowl...they make such a mess!!

 

[Pipp]

They're probably still marking their territories in response to the new addition to their lives. It may take awhile (a couple of months even) but it will stop. Just keep the areas washed with a vinegar solution.

Vinegar is a bunny lovers' best friend.

Don't use it on the litterbox, though. Let the smell stay in there.


sas :bunnydance:

 

[JerryfromAus]

Hi again

Nothing seems to be working! I've tried everything I've read - putting hay in the litter, buying a bigger litter box, having 3 litters set up, moving them to the litter box whenever I catch them in the act, putting treats in the litter box...aargghh!! Noting seems to be working. I've been keeping them in a confined space to try and retrain them, but when it comes to pooping they just scatter them everywhere. In the morning there's a carpet of poo covering the ground :sigh:

Any more ideas???