My bunny keeps peeing on the sofa!!

[Charlotte Kelleher]

My house bunny has just turned 1, she’s toilet trained and has been spayed and she is free to roam around the downstairs space as she wishes. She has an area in the house where she’s put away at night and when we are out. She jumps up on the sofa and pees nearly every time she jumps up? She’s put straight back if this happens but she doesn’t seem to learn this isn’t acceptable - does she need retraining in that area? I’m stuck, can anyone help? Many thanks

 

[Velveteen Lop]

She probably needs to be reminded that she pees in the litter box. I would recommend not allowing her to jump on the couch at all until you are confident she will keep peeing in the litter box. The problem with rabbit pee though, is the first time they do it, its hard to break them of it, especially once it becomes a habit. She might've had an accident the first time she peed there, and since then she thinks that is her pee spot. Clean the couch really well where she peed so she can't smell it anymore, and make sure she's only going in her litter box. I would confine her to one room, or even her hutch for a few days so she will go only in the litter box.
Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[Blue eyes]

^ agreed. I'd also discourage the idea of putting her back in her cage as punishment after she pees on the couch. That may work with dogs, but for a rabbit, it merely has the result of making the cage an undesirable place -- the exact opposite of how we want them to see their cage. Their cage should be their "safe place," their place of refuge, the one place they know they won't be disturbed. It is good if they like their cage.

Removing her from the couch - on the other hand - is an acceptable option. Barring her from the couch is a good idea. Some rabbits really like the softness of couches or beds for peeing.