Litter Box Battle of the Wills

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

So – I posted a few days ago that  I started re-training my buns, because  their litter box habits have gotten pretty poor. Bought vinyl sheet to lay over the carpet, and started containing them with an Xpen after dinner.

Well – one day, the’ll do fine, and the next, if I have to shoo them in – then 1 hour later, there is pee and poo EVERYWHERE!!!!  I know they’re upset about being contained -as they’ve been free range buns, and I think Baxter’s peeing/ pooing is his way of having a temper tantrum.

So I am thinking that I have to just contain them full time for a few days, until I see some improvement.  That means no free time outside the Xpen. 

I’ve soaked up their pee, and placed it in the litter box, I’ve added a new litter box to the spot where I’ve found pee.  

After shooing them in – I saw Baxter jump into the new litterbox, jump out and pee/poo next to the box.

HELP!!!!  What else should I try?

 

Sorry, very frustrated bunny mum.

[Dobby]

I had some success putting some lettuce or other greens mixed in the hay in the litter. I tried to strategically place it so Dobby could only find/reach it if he was in the litter. And it wasn’t just right on top because then he would jump in and jump right out. Also it wasn’t there all the time.

Dobby is by no means perfect in his litter habits. He pees outside his box when he is upset. For example, he pees on the floor without fail after I clip his nails. And on the rare occasions I come home later than normal I may have a little puddle on my kitchen floor. But the salad in the litter really helped for just regular old, non temper tantrum bathroom needs.

I also have his pellet bowl in the corner of his litter. That has helped a lot too. Not sure if that would be possible with your two.

[Monkeybun]

Maybe he doesn’t like the kind of litter? Some bunnies can be very particular

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

Thank you so much for your suggestions.

Dobby: I’ve been strategically placing “naughty” pellets so the boys have to be in the litter box to eat them. My husband insists on giving them the grain with junk 🙁 So to compromise – I only allow them a small amount above their litter box. The oxbow pellets are in the condo 🙂

I’ve even tried throwing in a few craisins in the litter box to encourage them. They use it most of the time – but not every time. Each morning, I would find 2-3 pee spots on the floor, and poo here and there. But I can tell they are also peeing in the litter box.

Monkeybun: I have been buying the pine pellet litter since spring….so not sure if that’s it. And I just bought a 40 lb bag. But after this bag is gone – maybe I’ll try the paper pellets again, if things don’t improve.

Thank you again for your responses/suggestions.

[Author]

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