Bunny has started pooping outside her litter box

[livinggeekchic]

My rabbit has recently started pooping outside of her litter box (but still inside her cage, minus the occasional droppings while out running around). She’s a mini-rex, almost 7 years old. She’s had her same cage for several years, so that environment hasn’t changed. We did recently move, but the weird thing is that this behavior (pooping outside the litter box) didn’t start right after we moved. We’ve been in our new place for about three months, and the poop issue just started two weeks ago. 

Her cage has a lower level and a second-level shelf on the left side she can jump onto. I keep her litter box on the bottom level, right side of the cage. Her hay basket is anchored next to her litter box. I put her pellets (and kale) on the second-level shelf. She is still peeing 100% in her litter box–no accidents there. And she is still pooping some in her litter box, but the majority of her poop is now on the shelf. I give her limited amounts of pellets and kale, and in fact have not changed anything about her feedings (or their location) recently. I’ve always put that food on the shelf and hay next to litter, which makes me think it wouldn’t be related to that. The only thing I can think of that has changed is our home, but like I said, even that happened a few months ago. Does anyone have any clues what would cause her to suddenly start pooping somewhere else? I thought maybe her litter box had gotten too stained and she just didn’t like being in it, so I completely replaced it last week, but that hasn’t changed anything either. 

[jerseygirl]

Hi livinggeekchic

So sorry this thread was missed. The traffic here on the forums can get busy! Im bumping this back up to see if any other members have some input.

Does anyone have any clues what would cause her to suddenly start pooping somewhere else? I thought maybe her litter box had gotten too stained and she just didn’t like being in it, so I completely replaced it last week, but that hasn’t changed anything either.

My only thought is she has perhaps become aware of some other animal around. Is her cage near a window or exterior dog at all?

Or have you seen evidence of mice or anything like that at the new place?

[livinggeekchic]

No worries! It’s more a minor annoyance than anything so I was mostly just curious if anyone else had experienced this. She wasn’t by a window and there were no new animals, although the person who owned the house previously had dogs. Maybe the scent was still lingering and she picked up on it? We have since moved to our new home, new construction, and she is still doing this. I’ve just conceded that this is her new normal lol.

[LBJ10]

You say she’s almost 7? Have you tried a lower sided litter box? I’m wondering if she’s having trouble getting in.

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