The short answer is no, pet rabbits do not smell bad. In fact, I actually think they have a nice, sweet smell to them.
Rabbits are naturally very clean animals. They can often be found grooming themselves like cats. They take meticulous care to wash their faces, ears, feet, and tails.
They can also be litter trained, so they poop and pee in a litter box.
Does Rabbit Poop Smell Bad?
Rabbit poop takes the form of hard, dry round pellets. These poops don’t have too much of a smell to them because they are very dry.
However, rabbits have another form of poop called a cecotroph. Cecotrophs are soft fecal matter that rabbits eat directly from their butts. They look like tiny bunches of grapes, and these poops do have a more pungent smell to them.
But typically, rabbits eat the cecotrophs immediately, so they’re not around to cause lingering bad smells.
Rabbits, like Otis pictured here, eat their own poop (cecotrophs) directly from their behinds.
Does Rabbit Pee Smell?
Yes, rabbit pee smells very bad. And when rabbits pee outside their litter boxes, it can be tough to clean from carpets and sofas.
The best way to neutralize rabbit pee odors from rugs and furniture is to use vinegar, baking soda, or pet-safe carpet cleaners.
Why Does My Rabbit Smell?
If your rabbit smells, there could be a few different reasons why.
Is Your Rabbit’s Litter Box Dirty?
If you don’t clean your rabbit’s litter box regularly, it will start to stink. Rabbits are naturally clean animals, but they need a clean environment to stay that way. Do not let rabbit poop and pee accumulate too much.
My rabbit has a fairly large litter box, and I empty it out completely and wash it every other day.
If your litter box is small or if you have more than one bunny, you’ll probably need to clean their litter box everyday.
I line my bunny’s litter box with Fresh News litter. This is a recycled newspaper pellet litter that neutralizes pee odors. As long as your rabbit is peeing in the litter box, the litter absorbs the smell.
Here is the litter box nice and clean! Having the hay feeder nearby with hay spilling out into the litter box (or simply putting hay in the litter box) encourages good litter habits because rabbits like to eat hay and poop at the same time.
If you are lining your rabbit’s litter box with newspaper, unfortunately, this does not neutralize the odors, and the pee smell will be quite pungent.
See our article, How to Litter Train Your Rabbit, for more litter training tips.
Is Your Rabbit’s Cage or Pen Dirty?
If your rabbit smells, it could be that their living space is dirty. Make sure to provide fresh bedding in their cage or pen regularly.
If they have accidents outside their litter box, clean it up promptly. If it’s a pile of poops, you can just sweep them up and place them into the litter box. This will give your rabbit the hint that poop belongs in the litter box. Pee accidents will need to be cleaned more thoroughly.
I cover the floor of my rabbit’s pen with a fleece blanket. This makes it comfy for my rabbit’s feet, and it’s also easy to wash. I have two blankets, and I swap in a clean one every 3-7 days (or as needed).
Is Your Rabbit’s Cage or Enclosure Big Enough?
One other consideration is if your rabbit cage is providing enough room for your bunny. Enclosures for rabbits should provide enough space for your bunny to run around. Rabbits should not be cramped in near their poop and pee.
If you keep your rabbit in a cage, use an X-pen to expand their space. Then you can keep the cage door open, and your bunny will have a run area.
See our article, Housing Your Pet Rabbit Indoors, for examples and photos of suitable bunny enclosures.
It should also be noted that rabbits should be let out of their pens or cages everyday for at least a few hours for exercise.
Does Your Rabbit Have Poopy Butt?
Rabbits may smell if they get digestive issues and their butts get poopy.
The main cause of poopy butt is an incorrect diet. Make sure your rabbit is eating plenty of fiber-rich hay. And make sure the greens and vegetables you’re providing are safe for rabbits.
Rabbits may also get poopy butt if they have teeth problems or other medical issues.
When rabbits get poopy butt, it’s important to clean your bunny and address the underlying reason for it. Otherwise, it will just keep happening.
See our article, Poopy Butt in Rabbits: Causes and Treatment, for more information.
Is it the Hay that Smells?
Another smell associated with rabbits is hay. Rabbits need access to hay at all times, which means there must always be fresh hay in your rabbit’s hay feeder and/or litter box.
Personally, I don’t find the smell of fresh hay to be bad. If you don’t like the smell of hay, that may be unavoidable. Though you could see if different types of hay smell better to you (timothy or orchard grass).
One reason hay could smell bad is if it’s moldy. Make sure to store your hay in a dry place. I store my rabbit’s hay in a bag in a closet where it’s not damp or wet. This keeps the hay fresh, and I also don’t worry about the hay smell because it’s tucked away.
Should I Give My Rabbit a Bath?
In general, no, you should not give rabbits baths. They clean themselves, and baths can be dangerous and stressful to bunnies. Learn more in our article, Grooming Your House Rabbit.
Rabbits clean themselves regularly and in general, do not need baths.
In some situations, like if your rabbit has poopy butt, you may need to give them a shallow bath to clean the area. See our article, Poopy Butt in Rabbits: Causes and Treatment, for more information.
In Summary
When rabbits are healthy and kept in a clean location, they do not smell bad.
If your rabbit is smelly, make sure you are regularly cleaning their litter box and living space. Clean up all accidents immediately with vinegar, baking soda, and/or pet-safe cleaners. And use an odor-absorbing rabbit-safe litter, such as Fresh News, in your rabbit’s litter box.
If your rabbit has poopy butt, clean their hindquarters and address the root of the problem (diet or dental issues) so it doesn’t recur.
About the Author
Abi Cushman is a veteran house rabbit owner and a contributing editor of My House Rabbit. She currently shares her home with one mischievous dwarf bunny named Otis.
When she's not writing about bunnies for My House Rabbit, Abi writes and illustrates funny books for kids, including Soaked! (Viking) and Animals Go Vroom! (Viking). And yes, there are bunnies in them. Learn more at abicushman.com.
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