How to House Train a Pet Rabbit

Rabbits are creatures of habit. They like to go to the bathroom in the same place. The trick will be finding a place that both you and your pet rabbit can agree upon. Generally, a rabbit will prefer a box someplace out of the way, in a corner--for privacy and a sense of security. Once you come to an arrangement, you will have a happy, house-trained rabbit.

Things You'll Need

• Litter boxes
• Litter or potty pads
• Raised, wire-bottom cage

Instructions

1. Keep an open cage for your rabbit to retreat to. Although some pet rabbits run free all the time, a cage can provide a safe place for your pet or a place to lock up your rabbit when the occasion warrants it. If the cage is not raised with a wire bottom (so that the cage itself sits over a large litter pan, you will need a small litter pan for inside the cage. The rabbit will most likely naturally use this pan. If the rabbit also rests in the pan, don't worry--that's normal.

2. Place paper towels with your pet's urine on them in additional boxes outside the cage. Your pet rabbit will probably not recognize what a litter pan is for without his scent already inside it. Gently place your bunny in the litter box to introduce him to it.

3. Spend the day following your bunny, especially in the beginning, to correct incorrect behavior. Often, an older rabbit will be easier to train. Young bunnies do not have full control over their bladders and are more likely to make mistakes. When box training bunnies, watch for the tell-tale signs--when a bunny lifts his back tail and stretches it out, he's ready to pee. Seeing that behavior, quickly carry the bunny to the box. When he urinates, praised him.

4. Sweep up the pellets. Pellet dropping can be more difficult to generate perfect habits. Rabbits like to leave pellets to mark their property, so a few pellets near their cage entrance or even outside the potty box may be unavoidable. A younger rabbit has less control over this aspect of his potty training as well and so it may take longer before he eliminates everything in the box.

5. Praise your rabbit for all appropriate behavior. Rabbits react to praise. If your bunny makes a mistake, never hit her. A firm, disapproving "No" should be sufficient. Remember your bunny will make mistakes for a number of reasons.

Tips & Warnings

• If your bunny is not fixed, box training will be more difficult as your rabbit will be much more interested in marking territory.

• Use organic litters--for examples those made from hay, oat, citrus or paper. The House Rabbit Society recommends you avoid soft wood litters (such as pine or cedar chips) as these products may be harmful to your rabbit's health. You can also line a rabbit's litter boxes with puppy potty pads.