How to House Train Your Pet Rabbit

Litter Box Training:

Although it may seem impossible you can potty train your rabbit. If your rabbit cage has a built in dropping pan you will not need a separate litter box, the pan will work fine. However if your cage does not have a dropping pan you will need a special litter box for your rabbits excrement. If your rabbit has already designated a place to defecate, place the litter box there. Once you have the litter box in place you must decide what to use for litter. You must use something that will not harm your rabbit if he in ingests it. Shredded newspaper is a good choice but has to be changed more often than other types of litter. A varied selection of different types of litter can be found at most pet stores. After you have decided what litter to use, you must watch your rabbit and if he defecates outside his litter box give him a firm verbal reprimand and herd him to his litter box. If you find feces outside his litter box place them in his litter box. He will notice the smells and catch on. Adult rabbits that have not been neutered or spayed will mark their territory by defecating on the edge of his/her territory. This action can be eliminated by neutering or spaying your pet rabbit.

Rabbit Proofing Your Home:

If you choose to let your rabbit run free in your home make sure to keep toxic or harmful items out of reach of your rabbit. It is a good idea to not keep plastic plants in your home for if they are nibbled on by your pet, your rabbit can get very sick. Also rabbits will chew on electrical cords. A good rule of thumb is to keep anything that can be harmful to children away from your rabbit. Another option is to put up guards to certain parts of your house that you do not want your rabbit to be in. Whenever your rabbit is anywhere you do not want him to be always give him a firm verbal reprimand and herd him away. Never punish your rabbit by putting him in his cage, this will teach him that his cage is not a friendly place but a place of punishment. Also do not punish your rabbit by physical force because this will teach him to fear and dislike you. Always be gentle with your pet rabbit and apply common sense when pondering where to allow your rabbit access. Always remember; rabbits love to gnaw on things.