Since rabbits do tend to deposit
their urine and pellets in just one or two places they are
fairly easy to house-train. Most rabbits can easily be
trained to deposit their urine in a litter tray but may
still spread some of their odorless, dry pellets on the
floor in the vicinity of the tray. These can easily be wiped
or brushed away.
Rabbits over a year old are
of the best age to litter-train, since they are calmer and
neater than adolescents. This is especially so if they have
been neutered. It is essential to have your rabbit neutered
if he is going to live indoors, as it reduces spraying and
generally makes it easier to house train them.
Having more than one tray
will increase the chances of success. After a while, you'll
be able to remove the trays he uses less often. You should
use a tray with 3 high sides to contain the litter and 1 low
side to allow easy access. You should use newspaper as a
base, with a thick layer of hay, straw or non-clumping cat
litter. Avoid pine shavings or sawdust if you can.
Even if your rabbit is to
eventually have run of the house, it is better to start him
off in one room. The kitchen or bathroom is probably best,
assuming they are not carpeted. Fitting a gate across the
doorway is a good way of confining him without isolation.
You should put one tray near his bed and one in the corner
of the room. It is a good idea to put some urine-soaked
bedding or pellets in the trays to acclimatize him. Try to
lure the rabbit into the tray and issue lots of praise when
he gets in. This way, he will associate nice things with
being in the tray. If your rabbit urinates outside the tray
give him a short, sharp 'No' and put him in the tray. You
will make being in the tray seem like punishment if you
chase him into the tray. Never
shout at or hit your pet as this will only frighten and
confuse him.
For litter-training to work,
you must make the tray as inviting as possible. You can use treats and different types of bedding depending
on what he enjoys doing in the tray. That is, if he enjoys
taking a nap, put soft bedding in it. The more your rabbit
enjoys being in the tray, the more likely it is to want to
mark it with her urine.
If your rabbit has already
developed a habit of doing the toilet somewhere (like behind
the sofa), you can move the tray to that spot. It is
important not to expect too much of your rabbit - when you
are not at home confine him to a smaller room so as to avoid
too many 'accidents'.
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