Contrary to previously held beliefs, rabbits can be a great indoor pet and will thrive when given the proper indoor environment. However, it is often assumed that rabbits are not easy to litter train and are messy, difficult pets to keep indoors. We are here to dispel any misconceptions about house rabbits, showing how easy it is to litter train them to allow them to live indoors. 

Rabbits are naturally clean animals. You will often see rabbits grooming themselves, or their friends, to keep their fur clean and tidy. Not only this, but they typically prefer very clean environments and will only defecate in specific areas a.k.a. a ‘bunny bathroom’. This is due to their natural behaviours as prey animals, meaning they will usually have dedicated toilet areas that are safe and away from predators. Their ‘latrine’ areas in the wild are used to communicate with other rabbits and mark territory. This natural behaviour makes it easy to litter train them as instinctively they will use the same spot – you just need to get them to use the correct one. 

It is all well and good to hear that rabbits are naturally clean animals, and litter training should be easy, however sometimes this is not the case. It can be incredibly frustrating to attempt to litter train your indoor rabbit to find that it just isn’t working. Before trying litter training, it is essential to have a few things in place to ensure it works. 

• Neutering/spaying - before even attempting to litter train your rabbit, it is incredibly important that there are spayed or neutered. Rabbits are highly territorial and once they reach puberty (3-6 months) their hormones kick in. Unfixed rabbits will spray urine and poop everywhere and are near impossible to litter train. 
• Safe environment – as prey animals, it is very important that rabbits feel safe and secure when they are going to the toilet. They will often go in areas such as corners where they feel more tucked away and safe. This must be considered when choosing an area for a litter box. 
• Stress free - your rabbit’s toilet habits are influenced by how calm and happy they feel. If they are stressed, then litter training is likely to go out of the window. Ensure your bunny’s area is comfortable and that they are stress free and happy. It is also a good idea to provide them a comfortable bed so that they do not use their litter box as a lounging area (consequently not using it as a toilet). 
• Cleaning out regularly – bunnies are naturally clean animals, and like the true dictators that they are, they will not tolerate a dirty litter box. It is vital to ensure that their boxes are regularly cleaned out otherwise they will begin to not use the litter box as it is too dirty for them. 

It is important to keep track of your bunny’s toilet habits. A change in their behaviour can often indicate a health issue. So, if your rabbit has been previously litter trained and has suddenly started not using their litter box then it is best to get them checked about by the vet. If your rabbit has started to use a different area then it is best to use white vinegar to clean the area, preventing them from continuing to use that area. However, sometimes it is a losing battle, and it is best just to put a new litter box in the area. 

Litter training rabbits is quite a simple process once you understand the basics. Ensure you have a large enough litter box for your rabbit’s size, especially if you have more than one. The bigger the better, often a standard cat’s litter box is a good size, as rabbits are less likely to pee or poop over the size of the box if it is big enough. Corner litter boxes, often sold in pet stores for rabbits, are usually not large enough and are impractical. If your rabbit is older then you may have to consider a low-sided box to ensure they can access it easily. For rabbits that dig their litter or long-haired rabbits that get litter stuck in their fur, it may be best to invest in a litter box that stops contact with the litter with a rabbit safe mesh or grid. 

Once you have a suitable litter box, place it in the area where you wish for your bunny to use. In the beginning, when the rabbit is not using the box, place any poop pellets or pee-stained paper in their litter box to show them that this is the place to use. Clean up any messes with white vinegar to remove the scent, stopping them from remarking. If you see them going in their litter box, give them a treat as a reward to encourage them. If you catch them going outside of the box, try to move them into the litter box. Sometimes, rabbits are stubborn and if they have decided on an area to pee then you will have to move the litter box to this place to litter train them. If it is an area where you really do not want a litter box, it may be best to block off the area until they are litter trained. 

One of the most important factors in a litter box is what you use as the substrate. Not only it is essential for reducing odours, but it also needs to be comfortable for your bunny. Not all litters were created equal for keeping indoor rabbits and it is best to find the litter or bedding that works best for you and your rabbit. Providing the best quality hay is the key to all litter boxes, keeping your bunny’s toilet habits healthy and clean. 

The two main factors to consider when filling your litter box is the substrate and the hay. Some substrates are not rabbit safe, so it is vital to check you are using suitable litter for your rabbit. Clumping litters are a definite no, as they can be incredibly harmful to bunnies if ingested. Sawdust, once commonly used as rabbit bedding, is also not recommended due to the dust irritating the rabbits’ respiratory system. Most commonly use are rabbit-safe compressed paper pellets, hardwood pellets, and paper substrates. At Bunny Bistro, we recommend our eco-friendly Norfolk Industries Paper Flake or Paper Strip bedding. It is best to provide a good layer of your chosen substrate to reduce odours and ensure it absorbs the urine. 

Often, rabbits enjoy eating whilst going to the toilet, so providing a good amount of premium quality feeding hay in your litter box is important. Not only does this encourage them to use the litter box, but it also ensures that your rabbit is getting the correct amount of fibre in their diet, keeping their guts healthy. You can either place the hay in the litter box or use a hay rack just above the litter box so that the rabbit can sit in the box and eat. We recommend using our range of premium feeding hays as part of your litter box routine, to naturally encourage your rabbit to use their litter box whilst munching on our delicious hay. 

Here at Bunny Bistro, we are big believers in providing your bunnies with delicious, nutritious dried forage. This applies to their litter box habits, as we wish to encourage your buns to enjoy using their litter box – making life more enjoyable for you as well.  

The best way to encourage your rabbit to use their litter box is to use the best quality hay topped with tasty forage. Not only will this smell and taste delicious, but it also contains essential fibre, vitamins, and minerals for your rabbit. By topping their hay with forage, such our Herb & Flower Mix or our Plantain Leaves, this will make their litter box seem irresistible, encouraging their natural foraging instincts and preventing boredom. Or, to make life easier, our Premium Timothy Hay with Flowers includes delicious flowers mixed with our first cut timothy hay. Making litter boxes more interesting is a great way to make litter training simpler and effective – as what bunny would not want to munch on tasty hay and forage whilst going to the toilet? 

Litter training rabbits does not have to be difficult. As covered, it is important to have your rabbits neutered/spayed, have the correct sized litter box, a suitable area, the correct bedding, and tasty hay/forage. Once you have these fundamentals in place, litter training your rabbit should be simple and effective, allowing your bun to live indoors with you.