Litter Box Setup
Not sure how to set up a rabbit-friendly litter box? Learn the basics, below, and help your bunny on their way to successful litter box training.
Plastic Cat-Size Box
Basic plastic cat-size litter boxes work best for rabbits.
Cat-size litter boxes come in sizes small, medium, large, and giant, and can be found at our SDHRS online store. We recommend sticking to the medium, large, or giant litter pans for most bunnies, unless your rabbit is very tiny. However, you can't go wrong with a larger litter box that your rabbit can grow into. Choosing the size of the litter box to buy will depend on the size of your rabbit(s).
If you have a pair of rabbits sharing the same litter box, you'll want to get one very large box, or give the rabbits multiple boxes to keep them well supplied with hay and fresh litter. A great alternative for larger rabbits or pairs is a “cement mixing tub” from Home Depot.
Setting-up the Litter Box
We recommend using a paper-based litter, such as Carefresh. Carefresh is rabbit-safe and environmentally friendly. You may also use other rabbit-safe litters such as Yesterday’s News, wood stove pellets (with no accelerant or other chemicals), Feline Pine, or Critter Country. Carefresh is available at our SDHRS online store.
Never use cat litter because your rabbit may ingest it when cleaning their paws, and the clay, crystals, or fragrances are poisonous. Never use pine or cedar shavings, clumping or clay litters, silica-gel crystals, corn cob, or litter/bedding with additives such as baking soda.
Line clean box with about 1 inch of clean CareFresh covering the bottom.
Next, add a BIG handful of hay. Here, we've spread our mixed hay over the CareFresh. Add more hay to the “kitchen” end of the litter box at least once a day until it’s time to clean the box. Rabbits need a bundle of hay that’s the size of their body when lightly compressed.
Well-used box rabbit litter box
About 12 hours later, here is a well-used box. You can see that the rabbit has created a "bathroom" end and a "kitchen" end (the end with remaining clean hay).
Keep a Fresh Box
Change your rabbit’s box frequently, to ensure a clean, fresh box. This will prevent the rabbit from heading to cleaner places to eliminate. If your rabbit does not soil their box completely within a 24-hour period, simply add another large handful of hay to the "kitchen" end, to replenish their supply. Never go for more than 2-3 days before giving your rabbit a fresh litter box.
Rabbit litter boxes are easy to clean and don’t get nearly as smelly as cat litter boxes. Dump the contents into your garbage can or compost. Rabbit litter is completely biodegradable and makes excellent compost! Then spray or pour a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar onto the litter box. Let sit for a minute. If there is urine build-up, use a scrubby sponge and let the litter box soak. Wipe it down with a paper towel or cloth and rinse with clean water if you wish. Do not use chemicals. Refill their litter box with bedding and fresh hay once the litter box is completely dry.
Rabbits Enjoy Their Litter Boxes
Once introduced and used to being given fresh hay in a clean box, your rabbit will grow to love it! He will nibble hay nearly 24 hours a day - important for good bunny digestion - and may even burrow under it searching for the choicest bits.
If, after setting up your rabbit’s litter box in this manner, you still have some problems with your rabbit using their box, try some of our litter box training tips. You can also email us at education@sandiegorabbits.org.
This rabbit loves to burrow under her hay!
Two companion rabbits sharing their litter box.
