Mini lop rabbits, actually all types of rabbits, are very intelligent animals that are able to be litter trained, making it a whole lot easier to enjoy them as house pets. While litter training rabbits, or any kind of animal for that matter, the first thing to remember is that you'll need to have plenty of patience, using positive reinforcement consisting of praise and healthy, suitable treats.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to follow for litter training your mini lop rabbit along with the basic supplies you'll need to get started:
- Cage: Although your mini lop is a house pet and should have free rein of the house as long as you've taken the time to make sure everything has been "bunny-proofed," most all rabbits will still need a cage, and especially to make litter training a much simpler process.
To start teaching your bunny how to use their litter box, attach the box to the inside of the cage in the corner that they have chosen as their designated "bathroom space." Once they have gotten the idea that the box is where they're supposed to go and begin using it consistently, place a few more boxes near the outside of their cage.
- Cleaning Supplies: Some of the essentials you'll want to have on hand for cleaning up after your mini lop and the inevitable accidents they will have include white vinegar, which is excellent for cleaning urine stains, chlorine bleach for disinfecting on a regular basis, and either a hand-held vacuum or a whiskbroom and dustpan for keeping the area tidy.
Rabbit urine definitely has a very noticeable, pungent odor so you will want to get to the stain and remove it as soon as possible.
- Litter Boxes: Even though you may only have one mini lop, using more than one box is usually recommended as rabbits tend to spend a great deal of time in their litter box.
- Litter: The type of litter you use will largely depend on your rabbit and their individual habits. However, it's recommended to steer clear of certain types of litter that aren't suitable for rabbits, such as the kind that is overly dusty, which may give your pet respiratory problems, or the ever popular clumping litter used for cats which may become lodged in their digestive and intestinal tracts.
Your rabbit will inevitably nibble on their litter so you'll want to make sure that whatever you're using in the box won't harm them in the process.
Some rabbit owners choose to use hay in place of any type of cat litter or even newspapers, which do absorb urine but do nothing for controlling odor. One option to consider is putting newspaper in the bottom of the litter box and then putting a few handfuls of hay or straw on top to keep the urine away from your rabbit's body and feet.
Remember that despite your best training efforts, your mini lop will still drop pills of waste around the outside of their litter box in order to mark the territory as their own. This doesn't mean you haven't trained your rabbit properly or that they're unable to be trained, but is rather a display of normal rabbit behavior.
For all of the latest information and to see pictures of our mini lop rabbits please visit Mini Lop Rabbits.
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