Content
- How to choose a corner toilet for rabbits?
- Sanitary tray for rabbits
- Rabbit litter or substrate
- How to teach a rabbit where to go
- 1. Place the rabbit's corner toilet
- 2. Minimize accidents
- 3. Use positive reinforcement
You domestic rabbits are especially affectionate animals, but also are very smart, able to learn the basic hygiene routine with ease. However, when people adopt these animals and observe that the rabbit is peeing outside the toilet bowl or that the rabbit has pooped everywhere except in the corner where it should, they wonder how to educate a rabbit to do its own thing.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will show you step by step how to teach a rabbit where to go, with instructions that are simple to apply and always using positive reinforcement, the basis of correct learning that takes into account animal welfare.
How to choose a corner toilet for rabbits?
Before explaining how to teach a rabbit to use the corner toilet, it will be essential to make a prior review by the different types of corner toilets and substrates that exist, as this can influence whether our rabbit uses it or not. Many people wonder how many times a day a rabbit defecates, and the answer to this question is not very precise, but we know that a rabbit passes feces and pee several times a day.
Sanitary tray for rabbits
The corner toilet (also called a toilet tray, toilet tray or corner box) is a structure of triangular shape, usually plastic, which may or may not include a grid. We recommend remove the grid, because in the long term it can cause malposition, pain, wounds, ulcers and even infections in the soft rabbit pillows.
There are many other models on the market, some with closed lids and others with walls on both sides. However, we must ensure that our rabbit can see everything that happens around them, as we remember that these animals are hunted in their wild state and are constantly alert, even in the bathroom.
As it takes up very little space, it is advisable distribute several trays around the house, to minimize the possible accidents of the rabbit. It should be cleaned frequently, as once you start using it, it fills up quickly. It is also very advisable hay in the sanitary tray, as in addition to encouraging them to come closer, many rabbits like to eat hay while using it. However, it is common for corner tray hay to spoil quickly, due to the rabbit urinating and defecating on it. For this reason, we currently find corner toilets with a specific shelf for hay.
If you can't get a rabbit corner tray, don't worry, you can use one. cat litter box, always taking into account the following tips:
- Must be the biggest possible. Avoid trays that are smaller than 35 x 20 x 25 cm.
- Make sure it's not too tall, as the rabbit should be able to climb easily.
Rabbit litter or substrate
Finally, let's review the different types of substrates we can find on the market. The most common are those of vegetable fibers, recycled paper or hemp, but there are many more. We should go testing until we find what most pleases our rabbit.
The most important thing is that it be a natural and fresh substrate, one of those granules and ones that do not leave dust and that are specific for rabbits. In no case will we use land for cats. It should also be of a safe material, which the rabbit can ingest without causing health problems, as we remember that they are very curious animals and tend to nibble on everything. Likewise, it should be absorbent, easy to clean and, if possible, it should retain the odor well.
How to teach a rabbit where to go
Now that you know the types of hygienic trays that exist and the substrates to be used, it's time to explain how to teach a rabbit where to go. Remember that throughout this process you must be very patient and use the positive reinforcement. In no case will we punish, scold or yell at the rabbit.
1. Place the rabbit's corner toilet
To avoid the presence of excrement and urine in the house, many people prefer start learning in the cage of the rabbit, although you can also start in a delimited area of the house. Remember that these animals require a lot of space, so we must provide a spacious and comfortable environment, which will help us to prevent stress on the rabbit.
We will put the toilet tray on the corner from the rabbit's cage or space by following the tips and tricks we mentioned in the previous section, such as hay to stimulate him. It is also a good idea to place a single type of substrate in the corner tray to avoid possible confusion.
Don't forget that rabbits don't always control their sphincters well, so you should be very patient and empathetic, understanding that your rabbit doesn't urinate or defecate all over the cage because she wants to, but because she doesn't know how to do it correctly. In fact, rabbits are very clean animals.
2. Minimize accidents
After placing the corner bathroom, we'll spend some time watching our rabbit. When we notice that it lifts its tail (a characteristic gesture they perform before urinating or defecating) we can catch it and take it quickly to your corner box, to urinate or defecate there.
But if it defecates outside your area, don't despair, get a toilet paper, wet it with urine, collect the faeces and take both the paper wet with urine and the faeces to the corner box, leaving them there. The scent will guide your rabbit so it can go back there to relieve itself.
They usually choose the same place to do their needs, so if you have several corner boxes, don't hesitate to distribute the feces and papers with urine in all of them, which should have the same shape, so that they are easier for him to associate .
It will also be critical. clean the areas where do your needs with enzyme products, in this way, we will eliminate the trace and we will avoid that you do it again in the same place.
There is another trick we can use when teaching a rabbit where to go, which consists of leave some of the old substrate when we renew it with the new. This way, we will also leave the smell of your urine and excrement in the litter box.
3. Use positive reinforcement
As we follow these steps, the rabbit will correctly associating the corner tray with the place where you should do your needs, but we can strengthen it even more by making use of positive reinforcement. How can we do that? We can use tasty rewards, like some of the fruits and vegetables recommended for rabbits, but it's also helpful to use the voice, a "very good" or gentle caresses.
Under no circumstances will we use punishment with our rabbit, as this will only cause fear, uncertainty and break the bond with the caregiver.
Finally, it is worth noting that the castration is a very useful tool, both in males and females, because after the heat comes, it is very likely that our rabbit will mark the entire house, spraying different areas with urine.
Now that you know how to teach a rabbit where to go, don't miss this other article where we talk about the 10 sounds of rabbits.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to teach a rabbit where to go?, we recommend that you enter our Basic Education section.