Litter training your rabbits

Whether your buns live indoors or out, litter training has lots of benefits – both for them and you!

Rabbits are clean creatures who like their home to be cosy, dry and spick-and-span. And, as buns are generally pretty quick at picking things up, training them to use a litter tray is both possible – and practical.

Veterinary surgeon Brian Faulkner says: “Litter training rabbits can be beneficial for both you and your furry friends. When they have a dedicated place for toileting, their home is cleaner and more pleasant to live in. It’s also better for you, as it ultimately makes cleaning more straightforward.”

The benefits of litter training

Along with making it easier to keep your buns’ accommodation clean and hygienic, if you have house rabbits, litter training will help avoid most little accidents.

Rabbit behaviour and welfare expert Amy Pratt, known as The Bunny Lady, advises: “If your rabbit isn’t litter trained, you’ll have to watch them very closely when they are roaming free. Rabbit poop is easy to clean up, but their pee is another story. Rabbit pee can make stains on the walls and carpets that are difficult to remove. Once your rabbit is litter box trained, you won’t have to worry about following the rabbit around to make sure they’re not peeing everywhere. You can relax a little while your bun explores the house.”

Having a rabbit litter box (or boxes) will also help you keep track of their health.

Amy Pratt adds: “A rabbit’s litter box habits can tell you a lot about their health. You’ll be able to see exactly how much they’re pooping. Rabbits have a very sensitive digestive system. The amount, size, and shape of a rabbit’s poop can tell you a lot about the state of their health. Having all the poop in one place that you can easily clean out every day will help you stay on top of your rabbits’ health and catch any signs of sickness early.”

Healthy treats for your rabbits that are great for training >>

Rabbits choose their own toilet areas

In fact, rabbits will naturally choose a separate toilet area, well away from where they sleep. The RSPCA explains: “In the wild, rabbits naturally create 'latrine' areas for urine and droppings, and these are used to communicate with other rabbits and mark territory, so rabbits will often choose a particular corner(s) of their home to use as a toilet. The toilet area(s) should be separate to where rabbits’ sleep.”

And, by watching out for your buns’ preferred toileting spots, you can place a litter tray where they’ll actually use it.

Rae Walters from the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), which works to improve domestic rabbits’ health and welfare through campaigning, education and the most up-to-date advice, says: “You’ll probably find that your rabbits choose their own area for toileting, usually in a corner, so keep an eye on where they naturally gravitate to and set things up there. If in doubt, put the litter tray as far away as possible from where your rabbits sleep.”

When do rabbits sleep? >>

How to train your rabbits to use a litter tray

RWAF recommends: “The quickest way to house-train your rabbits is to start off with a litter tray in a smaller area. Place the tray where they have chosen to ‘go’, or put some of their droppings and urine in the tray so that it smells right and encourages them to go in there. Keep them confined to this area and gradually increase the time and space they are allowed to access only once they are reliably using their tray.”

“Whether your bunnies are living indoors or outdoors, it’s a good idea to start litter training rabbits as soon as possible,” advises Brian Faulkner. “This training has no age limit, although rabbits do find learning easier as they age and develop.”

RWAF’s Rae Walters adds: “If there is a whoopsie, don’t chastise or punish your rabbits, since they may become afraid of you. Instead, clean up the mess with pet-safe cleaners and start again. Patience is important when litter training rabbits.”

Amy Pratt agrees: “Most of the time this whole process will only take a couple of weeks. But sometimes you’ll be dealing with a very stubborn rabbit who will need a little more time and patience while they figure out how to use the litter box correctly.”

How often should you groom your rabbits? >>

TOP TIPS for litter tray success

• Rabbits like to poo and chew, so placing a hay rack with lots of their favourite yummy feeding hay in it above their litter tray will encourage your buns to feel happy using it.
• Get your buns neutered as it’s easier for them to be litter trained. Rae Walters advises: “It is also vital to have your rabbits neutered as soon as they are old enough. Male rabbits can spray like tom cats unless they are neutered, and will leave scent-marking poops scattered around, too.”
• Provide a selection of litter trays. The RSPCA says: “We advise that you provide at least one tray per rabbit (with ideally one more in addition).”
• Make litter trays enticing. “Adding some used litter material and droppings to the trays will help rabbits learn to toilet in these areas,” suggests the RSPCA.
• Choose suitable litter material – RWAF advises against using sawdust or clay-based clumping cat litter. This is because sawdust can irritate rabbits’ skin and lungs and clumping cat litter can cause digestive problems if your buns ingest it.
• Specially designed paper bedding and litter for rabbitsis super-absorbent, safe and an ideal solution. What’s more, soiled bedding from vegetarian animals such as rabbits can be safely home composted. Mix it with drier bulking agents such as newspaper, leaves or cardboard egg cartons to help it break down.
• Keep your buns’ deposits confined to the trays – Amy Pratt suggests: “Whenever your rabbit pees or poops outside the litter box, you want to make sure you thoroughly clean it up and use a pet-safe cleaner to disinfect the area. This will help keep your rabbit’s scent to just the litter boxes, making it more likely for them to associate the box with going to the bathroom.”

Is the outdoor life better for bunnies and guinea pigs, or will these small pets have a more enriching time if they’re kept indoors? >>

What kit do you need for litter training?

To get started with litter training your rabbits, you’ll need some essential items, says RWAF’s Rae Walters:

• A large litter tray that they can easily access, and that is big enough for them to sit in
• Hay to cover the litter tray
• If you keep your rabbits indoors, you’ll also need some panels to confine them to start with; a smaller area will help to keep them going in the right place. Once they are reliably using the litter tray, you can increase the area in which the rabbits roam.
• A large potting tray or a plastic dog bed can be used instead of a tray if you don’t have access to one. Likewise, if they are outdoor rabbits, you could let them choose a corner of their hutch – as long as you clean it out daily to maintain hygiene.

What to do if your buns aren’t using their litter trays

Don’t panic! Rae Walters advises: “Of course, accidents happen – but sometimes rabbits can be stubborn, too.” If you find your rabbits are not using the litter tray, she suggests considering the following:

• Is it unattractive? That is, have you placed hay in and around the tray?
• Is it in the wrong place, such as too close to where they rest and sleep?
• Is the tray an appropriate size?

“If the tray is too high or inaccessible to the rabbits, they won’t be able to use it,” says Rae Walters. “Using a tray with a low front is a good idea, since it will be easier for your rabbits to get in and out of. Remember that any new rabbits introduced to the home will result in a lot of territory marking; this will impact on the appropriate use of the litter tray.”

Could you adopt a rabbit? Rescued bunnies are in desperate need of homes >> 

Good housekeeping is still important

A regular routine will keep your buns’ accommodation clean and hygienic and help protect them against pests and parasites that are attracted to damp, dirty bedding.

• Do a quick spot check every day, throwing away wet or dirty materials, including bedding and uneaten food.
• At a minimum, each week remove and replace all their litter and bedding materials.
• Once a month, give your rabbits’ enclosure a really thorough, deep clean. Take everything out and use a rabbit friendly cleaner to give their housing and enrichment resources a clean. Replace with clean, fresh bedding, feeding hay, and water.

Excel Nap & Nest is great for use as bedding and litter for your small animals. Made from unused offcuts from the teabag production industry, it’s super absorbent, soft on little paws and easy to spot clean.

21 amazing facts for bunny fanatics >> 

How to make more Room for Rabbits

Create the best possible home for your beloved buns – with plenty of room to roam, forage, tunnel, stretch, leap and binky – with these top tips:

• How to create the perfect rabbit environment >>
• How to create the perfect habitat for indoor rabbits >>
• A determined bunny with digging on their mind can quickly make their escape! find out how to rabbit-proof your garden >>
• Give your rabbits the freedom they love and allow them to exhibit their natural behaviours with a Runaround Run, Tunnel and Connection Kit >>

NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY RABBITS – 92% OF UK VETS RECOMMEND OUR BURGESS EXCEL SMALL PETS RANGE!

Rabbits are herbivores and need a plant-based diet with lots of fibre to keep their digestive system healthy. Along with their rabbit nuggets and a few healthy treats make sure your rabbits have unlimited access to good quality, dust extracted feeding hay and fresh grass to graze on.

Check out our tasty nugget varieties specially created for junior and dwarf rabbits, indoor bunnies, golden oldies, adult rabbits – there’s even a light recipe for buns who are watching their weight!

WHY DOES MY RABBIT...? If you’re a bunny lover, you’ll probably have many rabbit-related questions you’d like some answers to. For example, why does my rabbit bite me? Why does my rabbit thump? Why does my rabbit nose-nudge me? Why does my rabbit chuck stuff about? Read on to discover a whole warren full of fascinating answers...

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for your rabbits from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care, it's all here >>  

Are your bunnies Burgess bunnies? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers and rewards.

LET’S GET SOCIAL Sign up to the Excel Bunny Base – a safe Facebook community for rabbit guardians that are looking for advice and friendly discussions from likeminded owners – and there are lots of cute bunny photos and videos! Also join us on Instagram.

If you found this interesting, you may also like:

HOW TO BE A GOLD-STAR INDOOR BUNNY OWNER Indoor rabbits make fabulous house pets, as long as you provide these smart and sociable animals with everything they need to be healthy, happy bunnies.

GAMES TO PLAY WITH YOUR RABBITS Bunnies are smart and active creatures who like lots of things to do and games to play – particularly if there are some tasty rabbit treats involved. We’ve some fun ideas to add interest and excitement to your buns’ day, which will help them stay physically and mentally fit.

BUNNY TALK Rabbits are highly social animals with a complex language all of their own. By learning to understand their body postures, behaviours and vocalisations, you’ll uncover their individual personalities

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR RABBITS The way you pick up your rabbits has a direct impact on their welfare, according to latest research. Our in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes explains the right ways to handle your rabbits with care.

MAKING AN IMPACT – RABBIT AWARENESS WEEK 2023 This year’s theme was Neutering: Protect and Prevent – and the great news is that more bunny lovers than ever engaged with this important campaign promoting happy, healthy rabbits!

SMALL FURRIES NEED A SECOND CHANCE TOO As well as taking on a rescue dog or adopting a cat from an animal sanctuary, did you know that there are lots of small furries in rescue centres around the country that are looking for loving homes?

BONDING WITH YOUR BUNNY CHUMS It’s no surprise that rabbits who bond with their owners live longer and happier lives. Whether your buns are already part of the family, or you’ve just welcomed some new rabbits into your family, find out how to deepen your connection.

HOW TO HELP YOUR BUNNIES GET ALL THE EXERCISE THEY NEED To encourage your bunny chums to like to move it, move it, create an exciting space where they can hop, run, jump, explore and forage.

PROTECT YOUR PET’S HEALTH Show how much you love your pets by protecting their health during the cost-of-living crisis.

PET INSURANCE EXPLAINED Cat insurance, dog insurance, rabbit insurance – what pets can get cover? Can you get pet insurance for pre-existing conditions? Can you get pet insurance for older pets? Can you get multi-pet cover? We answer some of the most commonly asked questions to help you make an informed decision about pet insurance.

COST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR SMALL PETS You may not have a big budget, but as long as you’ve got a little imagination and a bit of know-how, you can do marvellous things with loo rolls, an old fleecy scarf and some cardboard packaging.

MAKING HAY-TIME PLAYTIME FOR BUNNIES Rabbits need to eat their own body size in hay every day to stay healthy. Our in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes advises on how to help your bunnies munch their way through their daily ration by making hay-time a fun experience.

ARE YOU READY FOR RABBITS? Often considered to be the perfect pets for kids, rabbits have a range of needs that are beyond the capability of young children, and the person responsible for their health and wellbeing should always be an adult.