Litter training

A house rabbit is easily trained to use a litter box, especially if spayed or neutered. When placed in a new area, it is common for a rabbit to mark the area with his droppings. After he gets acquainted to the area, he naturally starts favoring a certain location. A litter box filled with about one inch of non-toxic litter is placed there. Cat litter boxes are commonly used; additionally, pet stores sell small animal litter boxes marketed toward small rabbits and ferrets.

Most pet stores carry safe litter that is easy to handle, clean, and absorbent. Wood pellets, Carefresh, and Yesterday’s News are popular. Aspen, hay, straw, and folded towels can also be used. Experts recommend not using litter made from pine or cedar because inhaling the aromatic oils in them may cause liver damage to the rabbit.

Placing hay close to the litter box can speed up the training, since rabbits like to defecate and eat at the same time. It can also be helpful during training to limit the space available to the rabbit. Starting at adolescence, rabbits that are not spayed or neutered may begin displaying territorial marking, which can frustrate efforts to litter train.