Rabbits do tend to deposit their poo and urine in just the one or a few places and are fairly easy to housetrain although perseverance is required. Most rabbits will learn very quickly to pee in a litter box but still leave a few droppings on the floor. This is very normal rabbit behaviour and can be easily be swept up.

Adult rabbits over a year old are a lot easier to litter train because they have already gone through adolescence and generally are calmer especially if they have been neutered or spayed. The older rabbit does have a longer attention span, but if you are attempting to litter train a baby rabbit, keep with it!

It is very important to familiarise your rabbit with the litter box from the very first day so make sure you have one or two trays ready when you bring your rabbit home. Making sure you have numerous litter trays will increase your rabbits success at being litter trained and after a while you will be able to remove the trays the rabbit uses less often.

When you start litter training, it is definitely better to start in just the one room even if you intend to let your rabbit have the run of the whole house. Put one litter tray in your rabbits cage or near where it sleeps and a second in the corner of the room. Place a few poo droppings and a wee soaked paper inside the litter trays so the rabbit will start to get the idea of what he/she has to do. If your rabbit goes into the tray, give it lots of praise and maybe even a treat. Or, alternatively herd your rabbit to the tray with a favourite treat or toy. Unfortunately your rabbit will have accidents and if he/she does wee or poo on the floor, say “No” firmly but do not shout as this will frighten the rabbit, instead pick your rabbit up or if he does not like to be picked up, coax the rabbit to the tray.

A way to tempt a rabbit to the litter tray is to make the tray look tempting. Put some vegetables or hay in one corner. Some rabbits do like rolling in their trays and if this is the case the rabbit is more likely to mark it with its toiletries.

The rabbit must be supervised during exercise time as once they find their place to go to the toilet it is more difficult to stop them from going there again. Always reward your bunny when he uses the tray as he will remember this and hopefully want to repeat the experience.

Many rabbits do prefer to find their own spot so the easiest option is to move the litter tray to where it is needed. If your rabbit has found a spot to go to the toilet, try rearranging the furniture or putting an obstacle there to stop him.

As your rabbit becomes more reliable you can reduce the amount of litter trays you have and increase its exercise area.

Diluted white vinegar is recommended to clean litter trays and wash urine stains off carpets or upholstery. Hopefully the smell of the vinegar will also deter the rabbit from going back to his “favourite spot”.