How To Litter Train a Rabbit

Steps to litter training a rabbit

Bunnies can be litter trained, similar to cats. Some figure it out fairly quickly, while others may need a bit more help. Having a litter trained rabbit will make your life much easier.

Step 1: Choosing the right litter box

In order to litter train a rabbit, you need a litter box. The bigger the bunny, the bigger the box. The sides should be several inches deep, and the box itself should be big enough for your rabbit to comfortably sit in. Some even like to stretch out and sleep in their litter box (whatever works for ya, bunny!). Cat litter boxes are a great option for rabbits. If your bunny gets in the litter box, but sticks their butt out and pees out the back, you probably need a larger litter box.

*Tip: if your bunny is small, get a plastic dish pan from the dollar store to use a litter box!

Step 2: What bedding/litter should you use?

Bunnies usually go to the bathroom wherever the bedding is. So if you have bedding in the cage, take it out, and only put it in the litter box. If you like, you can put a towel or blanket in the cage to keep your bunny comfy. Paper pellets are probably the best option for litter. Put an inch or two in the litter pan, scoop out the pee spots daily, scoop out the poo when it starts to build up, or daily if you want to keep it cleaner, and put some fresh litter on top. Wood chips/shavings are not suggested to use, since the dust can cause respiratory problems. However, I have been using high quality, kiln dried pine shaving for my outside bunnies for over six years now, and have not had any problems. The two bunnies share a litter box, so I empty it (entirely) every day, and replace the litter box with a clean one. Since the bunnies do not spend much time in their litter box, and the shavings are only in the litter box, they are highly unlikely to breathe in any dust. Whatever you do, do NOT use aspen!

*Tip: throw some bunny poops out in your garden to use as fertilizer.

Step 3: Where to put the litter box

If there is already a spot where your bunny usually pees, put the litter box there. If not, try putting it in the bottom area of the cage/hutch, not the enclosed sleepy space, and not the playpen. If you follow step 2 and your bunny still does not want to use the litter box, try putting the hay basket above the litter box. This way, as they are sitting and eating their hay, they go to the bathroom, and they're already in the litter box!

Step 4: Show your bunny

If your bunny has never seen a litter box before and does not seem to be figuring it out on their own, pick them up and put them in the litter box. Doing this after they pee/poop is also a good way to teach them. Putting pee/poop in the litter box will help your rabbit understand "ohhhhh, that's where they're supposed to go!" Making their litter box smell like their pee helps them to know the box belongs to them.

Step 5: Enjoy your clean(ish) rabbit hutch!

There will always be a few poops that escape, since they tend to fall out occasionally when bunnies are jumping around. Having a litter trained rabbit tremendously helps with cage cleanup, and makes it so that you do not have to clean the entire hutch quite as often.