Messy Bunny!!!

[spacyp]

My dominant femal mini-lop of a bonded pair has just started digging her litter and scattering it througout the pen. At first, I thought she just didn't like the litterbox I was using. Then I thought it might be the amount of litter in the pan. Then I thought it might be caused by boredom (added in a fleece pillow and bed for them to hide and dig in along with lots of paper towel rolls to chew on) and then possibly by too much stuff in the pen. I have switched out the pan to a covered (but well ventilated) box thinking that it would help with the mess. She is still digging and has managed a way to scatter the litter again anyway. I am thinking that if I reduce the amount of litter, it won't make a mess.

My great concern is that she started doing it about 4 days ago and the behavior is increasing. She now goes at it for 30 minutes at a time and the duration is increasing...

Help!!! :tears2:

 

[JimD]

I have one bun that got so bad at digging litter out of the pan that I finally rigged up a plastic grid to fit in the pan over the litter.

 

[spacyp]

Thank you so much for the advice! If she keeps it up, I will have to do that. I am using the Yesterday's News right now and am trying to keep the level to a minimum...Her poor sister just looks at her and then at me as if to say "Don't ask me! She is just crazy!"

 

[tonyshuman]

That grid is really good--is it a fluorescent lighting grid from the hardware store? I have used litterboxes that came with metal grates, but I now use plastic canvas, which is a plastic grid found at craft stores. It keeps feet out of wet litter, and separates the poos from the litter--good if you're using poo as compost. I got it at Wal-Mart. Another thing to think about is giving her some supervised digging time with an appropriate digging toy. Stan (PetBunny) has a sandbox that his bunnies get to dig in occasionally, and I've heard of people using bins of shredded paper, dirt, snow (in season), etc. Tony eats shredded paper like hay, so I can't do that.

 

[slavetoabunny]

The grid is great. I use one in all my litterboxes. I even keep a supply on hand and give one to all of our adopters (they just have to buy the right size box).

 

[JimD]

tonyshuman wrote:

That grid is really good--is it a fluorescent lighting grid from the hardware store?

Hi Claire,

That grid is actually part of my old clothes dryer. It fastened inside the dryer for delicate items that were better off not being tumbled.

It's basically the same as a lighting grid....maybe a bit heavier.

 

[spacyp]

Claire,

I have the same problem with both of the girls...if they can chomp it, it is as good as eaten. Reducing the amount of litter in the box seems to have helped. She still digs but is not kicking any out. We shall see what tomorrow morning brings me...if I don't hear my husband say "uh oh...mama is going to be mad...you were a MESSY bunny" we will be in business. If not, off to Michael's I go for the grid.



Thank you everyone!