Hello! First time bunny owner here seeking advice for destructive litter box behavior. This is the second night in a row that I’ve woken up to her pen looking like this in the morning.
For context Milk is about 10 months old and I’ve had her for a little over 2 months. I haven’t really changed anything about her routine, so I’m a bit confused why she’s decided to tear up her litter box in such a big way all of a sudden. Obviously I’m used to vacuuming up some hay bits and stray poops in the mornings, but I’d like to avoid this level of clean up becoming a regular thing. I was getting to the bottom of a hay bag so I’m wondering if she felt like she had to dig more to get the hay pieces? Is there anything I can do to curb this type of behavior?
Thanks for any advice! Photo of suspect returning to the scene of the crime for good measure😅
by pwincesspup
5 Comments
1st – OK, yeah I would start by removing the plastic liner they’re just an ingestion risk waiting to happen (unless you have a grate over top completely blocking it).
2nd – ditch the hay rack. Don’t recommend it in general, but especially in this case where it looks to be a source of frustration. Just put the hay right in the litter box on top of whatever substrate you use.
3rd – once you’ve addressed the first two you can see if the digging is still an issue. If it is, you may need to try a different type of letterbox with a rabbit safe grate. Rooly, litterbuns, and the separate grate you can get from Binky bunny are the only ones I would recommend as safe for a rabbit paws. You can also try switching up litter substrates and see if a change in material addresses this.
Thank you for these tips!! Yes I think a grated litter box is going to be the best all-in-one solution here. I think I took it for granted that she didn’t seem to have issues with her current litter box set up, but I definitely see the value in changing it up to be a little less tempting for her to dig through it. The binky bunny ones look like a great option!
What a cute fluff! Shes trying to create her own litter box because she doesn’t like the plastic! Just remove the plastic. Maybe try the paper bedding instead of the plastic.
I have a solution for you!
Don’t use any litter.
I’ve posted about it before but I highly recommend getting the Purina cat litterbox shown in [this video](https://youtu.be/yNG0Xhbf5so?si=cHjkRayuCGDNjk9w). I purchased the small version without the hood for less than $40.
It has curved corners and the top edge is curved over which prevents most poop from accidentally being kicked out. And the hay stays inside the box. It is much easier to keep clean.
You place hay on top of the grate to protect their feet (and so they can eat comfortably). We put a giant pile towards the front and our rabbit munches happily for hours.
Under the grate you put a pee pad. All of the pee drains to the pad so the hay doesn’t get soaked with pee. And zero smell as long as you change the pee pad every couple days.
We scoop the poop every night and add fresh hay at the front of the litter box. If the hay gets low we add a bit more in the morning.
Every couple days we dump the whole grate (poop+hay) and replace the pee pad. We also do a quick wipe of the tray with a fragrance free baby wipe just to keep it extra clean all week. It is really easy.
There is a hanging hay bag we use but that is mostly a toy she plays with occasionally.
Once a week we clean the litterbox by rinsing with water and using an enzyme spray.
Our rabbit adores her litterbox (she is always a bit annoyed to have a replacement box when we are cleaning it weekly). Best of all she can easily eat the hay with no mess or digging up litter.
I cannot recommend it highly enough. We bought a second one just in case something happens to it – pretty sure she would revolt if we switch her litterbox.
And best of all it is easy to monitor their poop (not mixed in with any litter) and their pee (on a white pee pad).
instead of the plastic bag i’ve found newspaper, paper cat litter and then some hay works best. and it keeps the smell to a minimun