Litter Box Issues

[Dorota]

Hey guys, my 10 month old mini lop has started to act very strangely with her litter box. The first few days she went poop completely normal and knew where to go and what the tray is for. Lately, she poops beside the litter box instead and even if she pees in it, she kicks the bedding all over the cage. She’s also started to lie down in the tray with her head surrounded by poop ! I’m not sure if this is normal (I just got my first bunny a few days ago I’m very inexperienced !) and if she’s ok to sleep with her head in the litter box, I find it a little strange Help is much appreciated xo

 

[Dorota]

She’s just perfectly happy lying there but I’m so confused if this is ok behaviour

 

[Popsicles]

The litter box looks very small, so she probably is accidentally doing it outside. A rectangle litter tray is often a lot more useful than the corner ones. I also wonder if you have any litter down elsewhere in the cage, or just in the litter tray? I see there is hay all over. Sometimes this can be confusing for them - most of us only have substrate (and hay) in the litter box - they often like to poop while they eat, so keeping the hay in or over the litter tray encourages them to go in the right place I know @Blue eyes has a good page about litter trays that maybe she could direct you to.

 

[Popsicles]

And as for laying there - it looks like a good hiding spot so she probably feels safe there!

 

[Dorota]

And as for laying there - it looks like a good hiding spot so she probably feels safe there!

Ok thanks I might have a look at bigger litter trays, but as long as she feels safe lying there then I guess she’s acting normal. Thanks a mill

 

[Nala]

I would consider getting a bigger cage. The cage should allow your rabbit to hop 5 times in each direction and stand up and stretch. You could use a puppy play pen, diy cage, or make her a free roam rabbit. I have a 5 foot by 3 foot diy cage with 2 levels. The shelter that I adopted my rabbit from gave me a pet store rabbit cage, instead of getting rid of it I turned it into a giant litter box. As for the litter box I would get her a bigger one. Rabbits should have a cat sized litter box. You can also buy a plastic tub from Walmart and use that as a litter box, but make sure thy it’s big enough for a cat to use.

 

[Blue eyes]

Agree with above posts. A litter box should be plenty big enough for a rabbit to lay down in-- fully outstretched. Rabbits do indeed like to lay down in their box, however, if it is set up to the best advantage, they won't be laying in anything messy.

The link Popsicles referred to (thanks, P) is here. There are actually two pages. The one I already linked is about how to set up a litter box. And this one is how to litter train.

As Popsicles pointed out, the hay we see on the cage floor can certainly cause confusion for bunny as to where to potty. But actually I'm surprised your bunny is able to get any poos or urine is such a tiny little litter box.

There are better photos at the link, but this gives you an idea of a good size for a litter box. (this has two rabbits in photo but it is the right size litter box for one rabbit as well)