Written by Abi Cushman

Yes, rabbits can be litter trained!

A common misconception is that rabbits are dirty animals. But rabbits make wonderful indoor companions in part because they can be litter box trained, just like cats!

Follow these steps on how to litter train your rabbit.

Step 1: Get a Litter Box

My preferred litter box for rabbits is actually a 28-quart shallow storage bin.

Here is a 28-quart shallow storage bin that we use as our bunny’s litter box. It also works well for two bunnies.

This storage bin provides enough room to put litter, hay, and a food bowl. The sides are low enough so bunnies can hop in, but high enough to contain messes.

Don’t bother with the corner litter boxes advertised for bunnies, as they are too small.

Step 2: Get a Rabbit-Safe Litter

For litter, I recommend an unscented recycled paper litter, such as Fresh News. The paper pellets absorb the pee and neutralize the odors.

Here’s the litter box with recycled paper pellet litter. I put a thin layer–just enough to cover the bottom–but I did make it slightly higher in one corner because that’s where my bunny likes to pee.

Do not use clay-based or clumping litter as this is harmful to rabbits’ respiratory systems. Avoid paper pellet litter containing baking soda and pine or cedar shavings as well.

Put a thin layer of litter at the bottom of the litter box–just enough to absorb wetness. There’s no need to fill it too high since rabbits don’t bury their droppings like cats.

Plus, when you clean the litter box, you dump the entire contents out each time. So you will unnecessarily go through a lot of litter if you deeply fill the box each time. I clean my rabbit’s litter box every other day.

You could also use pee pads instead of litter, but some bunnies like to chew these.

Step 3: Place Hay in the Litter Box

Rabbits like to eat hay and poop at the same time. So to promote good litter box habits, place lots of hay directly in the box over the litter. Then your bunny will see the litter box as a nice place to hang out in (and poop).

You may also want to put a hay feeder next to the litter box because this ensures there’s always a supply of hay that is clean and dry available. If you use a hay feeder, position it so the rabbit must hop into the litter box in order to reach the hay.

I also like to put my bunny’s food bowl in the litter box.

To promote good litter box habits, lean into the fact that rabbits like to eat and poop at the same time. Place hay and their food bowl in the litter box.

Step 4: Place Poop in the Litter Box

Placing your bunny’s poop in the litter box helps get the message across that the litter box is the place that they should do their business.

Any time your bunny poops outside the litter box, sweep it up and place it into the litter box. If your bunny pees outside the litter box, mop up the urine with a paper towel and put the paper towel in the litter box.

Step 5: Limit their Space to Start

It’s easiest to develop good litter box habits in rabbits by limiting their space at first.

Use an X-pen to confine your rabbit to one area, even if you intend to give him/her free rein of your home eventually. This allows your bunny to get acclimated to the area in the beginning.

Using an X-pen to limit your bunny’s space will help them to establish good litter box habits.

Once your bunny consistently uses the litter box, you can gradually expand the area. If your rabbit starts “forgetting” to use the litter box, then limit the space again until good habits resume.

More Litter Training Tips for Stubborn, “Outside-the-Box” Bunnies

Accidents Happen
Keep in mind that rabbits are generally not 100% perfect with their litter box. Sometimes they leave a few droppings next to the box, or they urinate over the edge of their box.

This is normal, so placing a plastic mat under their litter box or putting the litter box on a tile floor makes it easier to clean up these little mistakes.

Take Cues from Your Bunny
If your bunny is insistent on going in one corner of the room or pen, sometimes it’s easier to give in to their stubbornness, and place a litter box in that corner.

Sometimes when rabbits consistently choose another place to go, they are trying to tell you that that’s where they want to go.

Be Patient and Persistent
Litter training takes time, especially if your rabbit has learned bad habits. It takes a while to retrain them.

If you can see they’re about to go outside their litter box (they may lift their tail or sometimes they sort of shimmy down in a seated position right before they go), try to pick them up and put them in the litter box or corral them in.

This is oftentimes easier said than done of course.

Get Your Rabbit Spayed/Neutered
If your rabbit is pooping/spraying pee everywhere, this is probably due to your rabbit marking his territory. It’s a good idea to get your rabbit spayed/neutered in order to ease territorial feelings.

See our article, Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Bunny, for more information.

Top Bunny
Sometimes rabbits deliberately pee on your couch or bed because they’re showing you who’s Top Bunny in the house.

You should correct their misconception immediately.  See our article, Rabbit Peeing on the Couch? What to Do for more information.

In Summary

Litter training your pet rabbit can take patience and persistence. But bunnies have natural instincts to be clean, to go to the bathroom in one spot, and to eat and poop at the time. If you work with these inclinations, you can litter train your rabbit in no time!

Some rabbits even like their litter box so much, they like to relax in it!

Litter Training Supply List

• Litter box
  A shallow storage container works well. Buy on Amazon >
• Rabbit-safe litter
  Opt for a recycled newspaper pellet litter such as Fresh News. Buy on Amazon >
• Hay
  Purchase hay by the bale from a local farmer (check local Craigslist ads) or order bulk hay online. (You can even order it as a “Subscribe and Save” on Amazon.) Buy on Amazon >
• Hay feeder
  This helps keep hay clean and available to your rabbit at all times. If you have an X-pen or bunny storage cube condo, you could use a wire hay feeder or a hay bag that attaches to the side. Buy on Amazon >
• X-pen
  X-pens help limit your rabbit’s space so that he/she can get acclimated to the area and get used to going in the litter box. Buy on Amazon >
• Chair mat (optional)
  You may want to protect your floor in the bunny area. Make sure to get a hard plastic one to resist chewing. Buy on Amazon >
• Snappy trainers
  If your rabbit is peeing on the couch or bed, you can use these devices to keep him/her off the furniture. Buy on Amazon >

Further Information:

• BinkyBunny.com, “Litterbox Training”

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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