Do Rabbits Use Litterboxes?
Yes! If you properly train your rabbit, litterboxes will be your life saver. In fact, many rabbits who use litter boxes tend to be healthier, here’s why. When rabbits are given straw as “litter” through their cage, they are literally sitting on their own droppings, and their urine. It you were that bunny, you would not want that. The straw tactic causes discolored bellies and feet. If your rabbit was to get a scratch on their feet or stomach, it would be easily infected.
Why Use A Litterbox?
As I just mentioned, it keeps away infection, and protects their respiratory system from being clogged in a way that breathing is unusual. Respiratory problems are caused by dust, avoiding cleanliness, and strong smells. Dust is obvious, but what about cleanliness and smells, well, not cleaning out bedding, straw especially, and rarely litterboxes, can cause bad smells that will damage your rabbits respiratory system.
The Best Litter and Litterbox
I find that the best litter is either horsestall bedding pellets, or woodstove pellets. They absorb the most and keep a good smell. I personally use horsestall bedding pellets since they are made for horses, they are very durable and don’t allow any bad scents. Other litter options are Carefresh, Yesterday’s News, and Feline Pine. (Not sponsored by any of these companies, I wish I was though) I find the best litterbox is any large, highsided, cat litterbox. It will be a good size for all rabbits 1 to 10 ish pounds. It keeps them from peeing out of the litterbox and gives them good space for a 360 degree turn, which is what you want.
What to Avoid
Never use pine or cedar shavings! This is yet another cause to respiratory infections. These shavings may smell good, but the smell is what hurts these poor little bunnies. The fumes they carry are never safe for rabbits. If you every see aspen shavings, do not worry, they are safe to use. They obviously don’t absorb the way pine pellets do, but they are a source. This brings me to why pine pellets are safe. This is because in the pelleted form, they don’t contain those dangerous fumes, same as spen shavings, they don’t contain dangerous fumes. Some other litters to keep away from are anything scented, clumping litter, and clay litter.
Setup Example…
This is what it should look like with a proper litter box.
This is very off topic, but, this Christmas I would like to save up a bunch of donations to support a local pet shelter. This is going to be a complete surprise for them and would love for you guys to be a part of it. They rely completely on donation, fundraisers, and volunteers because they aren’t funded through the government. If you would like me to put up a donation fund on my blog, please leave a like!
Bunny Basics Blogs 