How to Stop Rabbit From Digging in Litter Box

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how to stop rabbit from digging in litter box

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There’s nothing more frustrating than finding your rabbit has dug through the litter box again. Unfortunately, rabbits are naturally curious creatures, and they often enjoy exploring in their litter box.

While this behavior can be annoying, there are a few things you can do to discourage it. In this article, we’ll discuss how to stop rabbit from digging in litter box. Read on for more.

how to stop rabbit from digging in litter box

Rabbits are curious creatures, and they enjoy burrowing and digging. This natural behavior can be more than frustrating for rabbit owners when it starts to happen in the kitty litter box. Rabbits will often try to dig their way through the cat litter, making a mess of everything.

But, of course, this behavior isn’t hardwired into your rabbit’s brain — he probably doesn’t even realize that he’s doing anything wrong!

Why Do Rabbits Dig In Their Litter Box?

Digging in the litter box is a common problem with rabbit owners, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Rabbit digging in the litter box can be easily fixed with a proper understanding of why rabbits dig in their litter boxes in the first place.

Rabbits are naturally attracted to soft, loose material for burrowing and nesting purposes. Their litter box happens to fulfill these needs perfectly to your rabbit, so all they have to do is throw some hay on the ground inside the cage and sleep easy at night, knowing their home is adequately equipped to meet their every need. 

This behavior does not require much thought or effort, so it ultimately makes it when they start tearing up your carpet instead of digging in the litterbox.

It is usual for rabbits to dig and kick out hay, but excessive digging can also be a sign that your rabbit is not feeling well, stressed, or unhappy with its living environment.

Some symptoms that your bunny may be feeling sick and resorting back to the behavior it knows best, such as chewing on furniture or tearing up carpet, can include: lethargy (e.g., sleeping a lot), not eating, and diarrhea.

Digging in the Litter Box Is a Common

If you notice any of these signs in your bunny, take them to the vet immediately, as these could be signs of serious illness that cannot be ignored.

A Detailed Guide on How to Stop Rabbit From Digging in Litter Box

Step 1: Determine Why the Rabbit Is Digging in the Litter Box

The first step you have to take is to assess why your rabbits are digging in their litter boxes. There can be several reasons for this, and they may range from medical problems, behavioral problems, or even stress issues.

For example, some common behavior problems include separation anxiety (from owners), boredom (from lack of activity), and hyperactivity (when excited). Litter box digging is also frequently caused by a need to prepare for breeding.

Step 2: Clean Your Rabbit’s Litter Box Thoroughly

If there is a medical problem, then it is advisable to take your pet rabbit to see a vet. Often they will prescribe some antibiotics or other medication that will help improve their condition. In addition,  you will need to clean their litter box on a routine basis.

This way, you can keep them from digging in the litter box again. On the other hand, a dirty litter box can cause significant stress even if they have an infection or ailment. Therefore, cleaning the litter boxes regularly should be of great importance before anything else. How often you should clean them depends on what type of litter you use and how many rabbits you have.

Step 3: Make the Litter Box More Interesting for Your Pet Rabbit

Adding hay is an excellent way to make your rabbit’s litter box more attractive. As a result, they can munch on it while they are doing their business. At the same time, this will allow you to keep them from digging up the extra mess around the house that could lead to potential hazards.

 Make the Litter Box

How much hay you should add will depend on how many rabbits you have and what kind of litter box they are using. For instance, if you are using loose bedding, adding less hay will suffice, whereas adding more hay will be necessary if you are using compressed pellets. 

Step 4: Try a Different Litter Box

Alternatively, you could try switching up the litter box that your rabbits are using. If they were constantly digging in their old ones, it might be time to get them a new one.

How often you should change the litter box depends on what kind of design and how many rabbits you have in your household. When changing a litter box, fully clean out the old one before putting a different type in to avoid potential health issues.

Step 5: Determine if There Are Any Other Problems

Even when these steps have been followed thoroughly, there may still be issues with digging in their litter boxes. In such situations, it is advisable to add some additional elements into their environment which will help increase their activity levels (e.g., add a second or even third rabbit).

To begin with, how long you should wait to see if their behavior changes depends on whether there is an additional animal in the household and how severe the digging was. However, it can take several days to even weeks before any improvement occurs.

Step 6: Try Changing the Location of the Litter Box

When there are behavior problems, sometimes it is necessary to change the location of their litter box. How far you move will depend on how severe the problem was and what type of problems they had before.

However, moving it more than a few feet can be detrimental because it will make them think you are trying to punish them for being naughty. How many times you need to move it over depends on your rabbit’s personality and how often they were visiting this new spot.

Step 7: Make a Digging Box for Your Rabbit to Prevent Litter Box Digging

If your rabbit is genuinely in love with digging, you could try giving them an alternative box. But, of course, how big of a digging box you make will depend on how large and how many rabbits you have.

You can check it out to Teach Your Rabbit to High Five

Try a Different Litter Box

For sure rabbits, this may also be the best option for them to use when trying to mate, so consider adding some hay inside this area if it is going to be their breeding place.

How long they need to be using it varies depending on your rabbit’s breed and personality (s). Still, it should last several days or up to two weeks before seeing any improvement in behavior.

Step 8: Cover Your Rabbit’s Litter Box with Cardboard/Towels

Some rabbits may not like to use their litter box because it is very large. How much you cover it depends on how many rabbits you have and their size.

How long this should be done before seeing any improvement in their behavior depends on everything mentioned above. It can take anywhere from one day to even several weeks until you notice any difference in how they act.

How often you need to do this step also varies if your rabbit(s) are particularly stubborn or just plain old, for that matter. How well they adjust to using a smaller litter box will depend on how small of an area you place the new box in and how much time has passed since you initially started training them.

Step 9: Provide More Toys and Ensure That Their Environment Is Stimulating

In some cases, a rabbit may be digging in the litter box because they are bored. How you determine this will depend on what kind of toys you have available for them to play with and how active they usually are when running around your house.

If your rabbits appear to be lethargic or not interested in any activities, then you can try adding more toys for them to run after around the house from time to time. How much additional playtime they need will vary depending on how old they are and what breed they are (e.g., dwarf species tend to take short breaks often).

You also need to make sure that their environment is enjoyable by ensuring that there aren’t any items that could potentially be dangerous for them on the ground (e.g., electrical cords).

How many other toys you provide will also depend on the amount of time they are running around, so it might take several days or even weeks before you notice any difference in their behavior. These steps will help pin how to stop rabbit from digging in litter box.

You can check it out to How Do I Stop My Rabbit from Peeing on My Bed

Conclusion:

We hope you have learned how to stop rabbit from digging in litter box. If you’re tired of your rabbit digging in his litter box, there are some easy ways to stop him. First, try adding more hay at the bottom of the enclosure so that it’s easier for them to dig without getting their feet dirty or wet.

You can also put a few treats on top of the hay so they’ll be too busy eating and not bothering with digging around. Finally, if none of these solutions work, consider building an outdoor run where he can go potty instead! Good luck!