Litter Training

funnybunnymummy · Dec 13, 2009

The other thread on wire floors got me wondering: Why don't breeders litter train their rabbits?

Thanks!

Rue

P.S. I know this could be aconsidered a loaded question, but I really don't intend to start any arguments, I'm just curious.

RabbitLover94 · Dec 13, 2009

Not all rabbits CAN be litter trained. I tried everything with my rex doe but she never got the idea of the litter box. And therex has taught the Mini Lop not to use it too. My Jersey Wooly buck uses a box perfectly fine though.

elrohwen · Dec 13, 2009

Well, breeders obviously can't speuter, and many un-speutered rabbits don't take to litter training because they are constantly trying to mark their territory (especially with so many other intact animals around!). I would guess that's a big part of it.

BlueCamasRabbitry · Dec 13, 2009

I was asked to post my reply from the other thread, so here it is:

Some breeders do - and some don't. Can you imagine how hard it would be for a breeder to litter train the amount of rabbits they have? Sure some rabbits just take naturally to it, but others don't. Litterboxes also would make just another thing for breeders to clean - which is partly why they have the wire cages in the first place.

I do have litterboxes for most all of my rabbits. And they choose whether to use them or not, but they're still given the choice. Some of my rabbits use the litterbox really well; some will use it a little bit, and some won't use it all.

Another reason is probably because the breeders want the rabbits to have all the room in the cage, which would otherwise be taken up by the litterboxes.

Just my guess.

Emily

funnybunnymummy · Dec 13, 2009

Yeah, I guess I could see that being a lot of work if you have a lot of rabbits and no guarantees any of them will actually litter train.

I do know of two intact bucks who are litter trained to the point they're allowed free roam in the house without any worries of spraying or leaving a million poops everywhere. Of course, these are only-bunnies (no other bunnies in the house), so I don't know if there were intact girls around if that would change.

I was just thinking that if the does were trained, then they'd probably train their babies much like catsdo theirkittens (I've actually heard of cats "training"baby bunnies before! :biggrin2: ) and would save the breeder (or anyfuture owners)the work.

Thanks!

Rue