Litter Pan: Rabbit Cage Essential?

Rabbits are generally very clean animals and they tend to pick a specific area, usually a corner, to use as a toilet. You can take advantage of this natural behaviour and train your rabbit to use a litter box.

There are many different types of litter boxes available for rabbits, including corner litter boxes, litter boxes with hay racks, and litter boxes with wire floors. The best type of litter box for your rabbit will depend on factors such as the size of your rabbit, the amount of space you have available, and your rabbit's personal preferences.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing a litter box for your rabbit are:

- The litter box should be big enough for your rabbit to comfortably sit in with enough room for a pile of hay.

- The height of the litter box is important, as rabbits back into a corner and lift their tails to urinate. If the side of the box is too low, they may urinate over the edge.

- The litter box should be placed in an area where your rabbit currently uses as a toilet, usually a corner.

- Rabbits like to eat while using their litter box, so having hay within reach can encourage litter training.

- The litter box should be cleaned regularly, with the frequency of cleaning depending on factors such as the number of rabbits using it and the absorbency of the litter.

Types of litter box

There are several types of litter boxes available for rabbits, and your rabbit will ultimately decide which one is best. Here are some of the most common types:

Corner Litter Box

Corner litter boxes are designed to take up as little space as possible. They fit well into any housing situation, and the high back is beneficial for rabbits that like to push their bottoms into the corner while doing their business. However, they can be too small for some rabbits and don't provide space for hay. They also tend to fill up quickly and need to be cleaned often.

Basic Litter Box

Basic litter boxes are rectangular plastic pans with short side walls. They are cheap, easy to clean, and a favourite for many rabbits because they can do their business while still seeing their surroundings. There is plenty of space for hay, and they come in various sizes that can accommodate more than one rabbit. However, some litter and poop may get flicked out when the rabbit hops out, so the surrounding area may need frequent cleaning.

Litter Box with Hay Rack

Most rabbits like to eat hay while doing their business. Placing the hay directly inside the litter box can result in spoiled hay if the rabbit pees on it. Some higher-end litter boxes come with a hay rack attached, so the hay stays clean and doesn't take up space in the box. The drawback is that these boxes are often made of unfinished wood, which may need to be replaced if urine gets on it.

Litter Box with Screen or Plastic Grate

Some litter boxes come with smooth plastic grates, or you can purchase screens to place inside plastic litter boxes. These reduce the amount of litter waste and prevent rabbits from digging in their litter or eating their bedding. However, poop may still get flung around when the rabbit hops out, and urine may clog up the grate over time, making cleaning more difficult.

Litter Box for Senior or Disabled Rabbits

Senior or disabled rabbits may need a litter box that can be entered without jumping. A potting tray or a tray meant for protecting surfaces can work well for this purpose.

Do rabbits need a litter box?

Rabbits are naturally clean animals and can be trained to use a litter box. They prefer to urinate and defecate in a few chosen spots, usually corners, so placing a litter box in the corner of their cage makes for easy cleanup.

Types of Litter Boxes

There are several types of litter boxes available for rabbits, including:

• Corner litter box: This type of litter box is designed to take up minimal space. It fits well in most enclosures, and the high back is beneficial for rabbits that like to back into a corner while using the bathroom. However, it can fill up quickly and may not accommodate hay or multiple rabbits.
• Standard litter box: These litter boxes are plain rectangular pans with short side walls. They are inexpensive, easy to clean, and popular among rabbits because they can do their business while still observing their surroundings. They come in various sizes and can accommodate multiple rabbits and hay. However, they may not contain litter and poop when the rabbit hops out, requiring frequent cleaning of the surrounding area.
• Litter box with a hay rack: Rabbits often like to eat hay while using the litter box. Placing the hay directly inside the box can result in spoiled hay if the rabbit urinates on it. Higher-end litter boxes with attached hay racks keep the hay within reach without soiling it. However, these boxes are often made of unfinished wood, which can be costly to replace if urine gets on it.
• Litter box with a wire floor: This type of litter box is easy to clean but is not recommended as it can hurt rabbits' feet and cause sores and infections.
• Litter box with a screen or plastic grate: These litter boxes have smooth plastic grates that prevent rabbits from digging or eating their bedding. They reduce litter waste as urine flows through the grate and is absorbed by the bedding. However, poop may still be flung out when the rabbit hops out, and urine may clog the grate over time, making cleaning more difficult.

Litter Box Training

Rabbits can be litter box trained, and it is generally not a complicated process as rabbits naturally gravitate towards using a litter box. It may take more work to train unneutered rabbits, and they may not always be 100% consistent.

Bedding and Litter

It is important to use rabbit-safe bedding and litter in the litter box. Avoid using pine, cedar, or clay litter, as these options can cause respiratory issues or be fatal if ingested. Instead, opt for paper-based bedding, hardwood stove pellets, or rabbit-safe wood stove pellets (e.g., Feline Pine or Equine Fresh).

Size and Placement

The litter box should be big enough for the rabbit to fit comfortably and accommodate their preferred activities, such as eating, sleeping, and digging. The minimum size for a medium-sized rabbit is approximately 22" x 17" x 6.5" (55 cm x 43 cm x 16.5 cm).

The litter box should be placed in a corner of the cage, ideally in a spot where the rabbit already chooses to urinate and defecate.

Maintenance

Litter boxes should be cleaned thoroughly once a week, and spot cleaned daily or as needed. It is essential to provide fresh, clean hay daily, and to ensure the rabbit always has access to clean water.

How to litter train a rabbit

Rabbits are naturally very clean animals and like to go to the bathroom in specific spots, usually in the corners of a space. They can be trained to use a litter box, which makes cleanup easier and allows you to monitor any changes in their health.

What you'll need:

• A litter pan (cat ones work well)
• Litter (such as recycled paper pellets)
• Unlimited hay (grass hays such as Timothy or orchard hay)
• Enclosure large enough to fit the litter box, food and water bowls, and toys, while still giving your rabbit enough room to move around

Steps to litter train your rabbit:

Set up the litter box:

• Fill the bottom of the litter box with a layer of litter about two to three inches deep.
• Add a thick layer of hay to one end of the litter box or use a hay feeder close by, as rabbits often like to eat while going to the bathroom.
• Place the litter box in a corner of the enclosure. If your rabbit is already peeing in one corner, put the box there.
• If you have a multi-level enclosure, you will need more than one box.

Train your rabbit:

• Keep your rabbit in their enclosure until they are using the litter box reliably.
• Once they are using the box consistently, let them have time outside their enclosure, placing a litter box in their free-roam space too.
• Give your rabbit fresh hay in their litter boxes every day, and clean the boxes at least every other day using a bunny-safe cleaner like a white vinegar and water mix.
• If your rabbit continues to poop outside the box, this may be territorial behaviour. You can pick up the poop and place it in the litter box, but this behaviour might not go away.

Tips:

• Rabbits who are spayed or neutered tend to have less of an issue with spraying urine.
• Choose a litter box size that allows your rabbit to move around and lay down comfortably.
• Avoid litters made from pine or cedar (toxicity), clay (respiratory issues), or clumping litters (can cause blockages if ingested).
• Scoop the litter box daily and deep clean once a month.
• Do not clean the litter box when your rabbit is inside, as this may cause them to feel unsafe.
• If your rabbit urinates in an area without a litter box, place a box in that area, as rabbits like to pick specific spots to go to the bathroom.

What bedding should I use?

Rabbit bedding should be paper-based, as this is generally the safest option for rabbits. Paper-based bedding is absorbent, controls odours well, and doesn't stick to your rabbit's fur.

Paper-Based Bedding Options

• Carefresh is a well-known brand of paper-based bedding, made from "all-natural cellulose fibres". It is absorbent, safe for small animals, controls odours well, and doesn't stick to fur. However, it is rather expensive and only available in pet stores.
• Critter Care is a cheaper alternative to Carefresh, available at Walmart.
• National Geographic also offers paper-based bedding.
• Newspaper or shredded paper is a cheap option, but if your rabbit eats the paper, it can cause blockages which can be fatal or expensive to treat. Paper also doesn't control odours well and needs to be replaced frequently.
• Paper pellets such as Yesterday's News are a natural, non-toxic, dust-free, and highly absorbent option. They are available in most grocery stores in the cat section and can be composted. However, they don't control odours as well as other paper-based bedding and it can be difficult to scoop out only the soiled parts.
• Hardwood stove pellets that do not contain chemicals are another safe, cheap, and absorbent option. They are available in home improvement stores and grocery stores, especially during the winter months.

Other Bedding Options

Although not paper-based, hay is an important part of your rabbit's litter box. Rabbits like to eat, dig, nap, and go to the bathroom in their litter box, and hay encourages them to eat and defecate at the same time.

Recycled paper pellets are another option. One source suggests using these in combination with a disposable puppy pee pad underneath the bedding to prevent the rabbit from slipping.

Bedding to Avoid

• Cat litter is not recommended for rabbits. If ingested, it can clump up inside their digestive system and be fatal.
• Clumping litter is also not recommended for the same reasons.
• Corn cob litter is small and lightweight, so it will likely be tracked all over the house. Vets also recommend against this type of litter as it may cause blockages when ingested.
• Clay litter is very dusty and can cause respiratory issues. Ingesting it could also be fatal.
• Pine, cedar, and aspen shavings are connected with respiratory issues and liver damage in small animals. They do very little to control odours and often stick to the rabbit's fur.

For your rabbit's main enclosure, provide 1-2 inches of high-quality paper-based bedding. For outdoor hutches, cover the wire floor with 2-3 inches of paper bedding or hay.

How often should I clean the litter box?

The frequency of cleaning the rabbit litter box depends on several factors, including the type of litter used, the rabbit's size, and its usage rate. Here are some guidelines and considerations to help you determine an appropriate cleaning schedule:

Type of Litter:

• Newspaper: Newspaper, especially when shredded at home, is less absorbent than other options and will need to be changed more frequently—approximately every two days.
• Paper pulp pellets: These pellets, often recommended by veterinarians for litter training, can last up to three to four days before requiring a change.
• Wood fiber pellets: As the densest litter option, wood fiber pellets usually last the longest. However, relying on your sense of smell, you may still need to replace them every three to four days.
• Food-grade paper bedding: This type of bedding is FDA-approved, safe, and highly effective at odour control. It can be used for up to a week, but always trust your nose and replace it if it starts smelling before that.

Rabbit's Size:

Larger rabbit breeds will naturally produce more waste, so you will need to clean and change the litter box more frequently.

Illness:

If your rabbit is sick, especially with diarrhoea, it is important to consult a veterinarian and increase the litter box cleaning frequency to at least once a day to help your rabbit feel more comfortable.

Hay in the Litter Box:

Rabbits typically enjoy munching on hay while doing their business. Therefore, it is essential to check the hay level and condition daily to ensure your rabbit continues to use the litter box.

Other Considerations:

• Male rabbits may be particular about their litter box being too clean, especially if they have marked their territory. Leaving a little bit of litter behind or cleaning only half the box at a time might be necessary to encourage continued usage.
• The placement of the litter box can impact the cleaning frequency. For example, if the litter box is in a common area, you may want to clean it more often for hygiene and odour control.
• The number of rabbits using the litter box will also influence the cleaning schedule. Multiple rabbits will generate more waste and may require more frequent changes.

In general, it is recommended to clean the rabbit litter box at least once a day, especially if your rabbit is trained to use it regularly. A good time to do this is in the morning before feeding your pet. Regular cleaning helps maintain a hygienic environment and prevents issues like flystrike, a potentially fatal condition caused by flies attracted to dirty litter boxes.

Frequently asked questions