Potty Training Your Bunny: Yes, It's Possible!

March 15, 2016

By Morgan Clark

Bunnies are some of the cutest animals on the planet. Many people have been charmed by their adorable hops, floppy ears, and incredibly soft fur, only to realize that a rabbit is more work than they realized. Any pet is a commitment, but rabbits can be a rewarding companion if you know how to train him. Fortunately, bunnies are able to use litter boxes just like a cat.

Before you jump for joy, it's important to not that bunnies can only be trained if they are spayed or neutered. Attempting to train an un-fixed bunny will merely result in them using your entire house as a litter box!

The Set-Up:

Bunny boxes require less litter than cat boxes – about one inch along the bottom. Make sure the box is shallow enough to allow your rabbit to hop in herself, which usually ends up at about three inches tall. Your new pet will probably prefer one box placed in the corners of each room in the home, so that's something to consider as well.

Fill the box with paper pulp pet litter and place some of the bunny's droppings and soggy newspaper clippings in the box to signal that this is their new place to go. Rabbits are not like cats, who will not use a dirty litter box. They need a dirty box to let them know that this is their designated spot. Never use standard kitty litter, especially clay-based litter, which can lead to respiratory issues.

The Training:

Once you have assembled the box, it's time to train your bunny. It's important to remember to never physically discipline or scold your rabbit. Rabbits, unlike dogs and cats, are prey animals rather than predators or pack animals, so they do not respond the same to physical discipline and will only learn to fear you. Give the bunny a small area to for initial training to make sure the box is obvious to your rabbit.

Always begin training when you have a lot of free time – consistency is key to speed up the process. Whenever your bunny leaves droppings outside the box, immediately pick up the rabbit, place him in the box, and shower him with verbal praise. It might also be useful to place the bunny in the box every ten minutes or so and praise her once she's there. Be prepared for some clean up outside of the box, but don't get angry. Simply pick the rabbit up whenever you catch it making a mess and place it inside the box.

After Training:

Definitely be sure to praise the rabbit once they hop into the litter box on their own to urinate or leave droppings. Consider having a treat ready once they begin to use the box by themselves. After you train the bunny in one small area, it's okay to expand. Give the rabbit access to another room with another litter box.

Training a rabbit is a bit of a process, but doing to correctly means that you will have a loving companion that can roam free in the home without you worrying about them making a mess.