Caring for your pet rabbit

Did you know you can litter-train your rabbit like you do with cats? Here are some helpful tips to help you care for your rabbit! 

Litter box training 

To train your rabbit to use the litter box, use a small cat litter box with no sides or top. Fill it with unscented recycled paper as litter. You can find consumer brands of recycled paper at your local pet supply store. 

Do not use clay based or clumping litter as the dust from these types of litter may be harmful to your rabbit’s respiratory system. 

Place a thin layer of paper litter at the bottom of the litter box. Next, place a small amount of hay over the litter or next to the litter box, because rabbits like to eat hay while they do their business. 

As you are training your rabbit to use the box, clean up messes outside the litter box as you notice them. While litter training, it’s also important to try and confine your rabbit to a smaller than normal area temporarily. Once your rabbit is consistently using the litter box, you can expand the area. If your rabbit stops using the litter box, reduce the size of the area he or she has available to roam to encourage them to once again use the litter box. 

Handling your rabbit 

Rabbits like being petted, brushed, and cuddled. Speak quietly and soothingly and make sure to interact with them as much as possible on their level. Get down on your knees or sit on the rabbit’s level and play with them there to help them get used to you. 

When you pick them up, always make sure to support their front end with one hand and their hindquarters with the other. When picking them up be sure NEVER to restrict the movement of their hind legs. The damage caused to their backs could be serious or sometimes even fatal. 

For more small animal enrichment tips for your pet rabbit, read more on our blog!