He's consistent, but not in the litter

[ArtistChibi]

So Shen doesn't like having his hay in his litter box. He prefers his hay in a separate, foraging, box and he will go out of his way to find one particular spot to use the bathroom. That's poop and pee. He will not do it while eating his hay. Is this unusual for rabbits to do? Just curious.

 

[Blue eyes]

What does he do that suggests he doesn't like hay in his litter box? Where is his "particular spot"? Is it in his litterbox? (remind me again his age and how long you've had him)

 

[ArtistChibi]

What does he do that suggests he doesn't like hay in his litter box? Where is his "particular spot"? Is it in his litterbox? (remind me again his age and how long you've had him)

He's about 9 weeks old and he likes to use a towel as a bathroom instead of litter. So we put a towel we never use into his box and he will go in it. But he will REFUSE to use his box if his hay is in or near it.

 

[Mac189]

I wouldn't expect a whole lot from a nine-week-old baby bunny as far as litter box habits. We don't so much litter train rabbits as hack their natural patterns, territorialism, and desire to be neat. A baby rabbit probably hasn't developed those traits as they are linked to maturity. Chances are, even if you do get his habits in line, you will have to reteach after the "teenage stage". That being said, if you want to work out litter training right now just for the sake of cleaning and establishing good habits, I would try moving the box to the spot he's been using, maybe cutting off a corner of the soiled towel to put in the litter box to get him used to the scent and texture.

 

[ArtistChibi]

I wouldn't expect a whole lot from a nine-week-old baby bunny as far as litter box habits. We don't so much litter train rabbits as hack their natural patterns, territorialism, and desire to be neat. A baby rabbit probably hasn't developed those traits as they are linked to maturity. Chances are, even if you do get his habits in line, you will have to reteach after the "teenage stage". That being said, if you want to work out litter training right now just for the sake of cleaning and establishing good habits, I would try moving the box to the spot he's been using, maybe cutting off a corner of the soiled towel to put in the litter box to get him used to the scent and texture.

Okay. Well, we'll see when he gets older. I was just wondering, is all. I mean, he is consistent and will use the box if the towel is in it, but if the towel and hay is in it, he won't. He will go out of his way, after waking up, to go straight to the towel to use the bathroom, then go to eating. But I'll give it more time, and slowly inch him toward rabbit safe litter completely during the litter training process. Plus, once he's old enough, I'll get him fixed, as well. So to avoid any hormonal issues, as well.

 

[Blue eyes]

He's young. Some younger rabbits do happen to train but then often forget that training with the onset of hormones. Older rabbits train more easily.

I'd encourage you to get him out of the habit of peeing only on the towel. That can become a nightmare once he's older (and peeing lots!!). I love @Mac189 's suggestion to cut off part of the towel and place it in the litter box. I'd suggest setting up a litter box with wood pellets and put the towel on top of the pellets (for starters). Then use less and less of the towel. If the hay dissuades him, then hang a rack over the box.

 

[ArtistChibi]

He's young. Some younger rabbits do happen to train but then often forget that training with the onset of hormones. Older rabbits train more easily.

I'd encourage you to get him out of the habit of peeing only on the towel. That can become a nightmare once he's older (and peeing lots!!). I love @Mac189 's suggestion to cut off part of the towel and place it in the litter box. I'd suggest setting up a litter box with wood pellets and put the towel on top of the pellets (for starters). Then use less and less of the towel. If the hay dissuades him, then hang a rack over the box.

I heard some mention using pine pellets. Would that be good to use or are there other options? I know Small Pet Select has some good litter for rabbits, and I want to avoid Walmart or Kaytee for any of that. (Their hay is just awful, since it is either mostly dust or browned, smelly hay.)

 

[Mac189]

Pine pellets are really good, you can get them at most feed stores. It's what I use. I personally also like the shredded bedding like Yesterday's News (I think small pet select does too). It's not quite as odor absorbent, but your rabbit may prefer the texture and it does a good job. I sometimes mix the two, which works the best for me and my rabbits. Skip Walmart and Kaytee, a feed store should carry the best of all of the above at the best price.

 

[ArtistChibi]

Pine pellets are really good, you can get them at most feed stores. It's what I use. I personally also like the shredded bedding like Yesterday's News (I think small pet select does too). It's not quite as odor absorbent, but your rabbit may prefer the texture and it does a good job. I sometimes mix the two, which works the best for me and my rabbits. Skip Walmart and Kaytee, a feed store should carry the best of all of the above at the best price.

Thank goodness I live in a farming state. So feed stores are not in short supply. I'll make sure to check them out as soon as my paycheck comes in. Thank you.

 

[Blue eyes]

I heard some mention using pine pellets. Would that be good to use or are there other options? I know Small Pet Select has some good litter for rabbits, and I want to avoid Walmart or Kaytee for any of that. (Their hay is just awful, since it is either mostly dust or browned, smelly hay.)

The wood pellets (pine or hardwood) are typically cheapest from a feed store or a hardware store. They come as pellets for wood-burning stoves or as horse stall bedding. Places like Cal-Ranch, Ace Hardware also usually carry them. They should be around $5-$7 for a 40lb bag.

 

[ArtistChibi]

The wood pellets (pine or hardwood) are typically cheapest from a feed store or a hardware store. They come as pellets for wood-burning stoves or as horse stall bedding. Places like Cal-Ranch, Ace Hardware also usually carry them. They should be around $5-$7 for a 40lb bag.

And neither of those are near me. However, we do have a lot of feed and farm stores because of this being the bluegrass and farming is abundance here. Mostly local, so higher chances of better quality hay and pellets.

 

[Blue eyes]

What state are you in? Lowes and Home Depot's often carry them too. Some only carry them in the winter.

I'd always get my hay by the bale from a local feed store.

 

[ArtistChibi]

What state are you in? Lowes and Home Depot's often carry them too. Some only carry them in the winter.

I'd always get my hay by the bale from a local feed store.

Kentucky. The nearest Ace is miles out of town.

 

[Blue eyes]

Oh! You're in horse country for sure!!

Wood pellets are sold as bedding for horse stalls at probably any feed store. They likely will have varieties of hay bales as well. You just want them to be actual pellets and not fluffy stuff.

I once accidentally bought the more crumbled "bedding" by mistake since the packaging looked so similar. This is the WRONG STUFF--

These are what the right ones look like

 

[ArtistChibi]

Okay. I'll look around this weekend myself. We had a real nasty ice storm so everything is iced over and not safe to drive.