The Complete Guide to Litter Training Your Bunny

How to choose a litter tray for your rabbit?

hay filled litter box
Leif from the Bunny proofing Facebook group
Anyone else's bunny refuse to use a new litter box?? This box is going to be nine years old. It was our first rabbit who passed it down to him (she was smaller). I want to get him a bigger one, but he refuses any new boxes we get and ONLY wants to use this one. We have tried putting his pee and poop in others, even setting them next to each other. He just throws them! He would be so much comfier if he would use a bigger box...

There are many types of litter trays to choose from and choosing the best size largely depends on how big your bunny is and how much room you have. In this guide we look at the good and bad points of each type to help you decide which is the best for you and your bunny.

Types of litter tray Pros and Cons

Corner litter trays can be good for litter training as they typically have a low side which will be good for learning to jump in and out of for a small bunny. They also have a high back which can help stop the litter being kicked out and spread around. They are quite small so if you have a larger bunny, you may find it grows out of it quite quickly. They are also a bit lighter and can get moved about a bit and tipped over.

purple corner litter box button Corner litter pan

If you have a regular sized bunny then most of the regular litter trays you can get in pet stores will be fine. Make sure it is for bunnies as sometimes they can come specifically for cats with a rim. You are looking for a simple shallow tray without any features.

If you have a large or giant bunny then you may find that a lot of the regular trays are a little on the small side and can lead to peeing accidents over the sides, litter being kicked out and often the whole thing being tipped over. The answer is to get a small plastic dog bed. Make sure it is the type without drainage holes in, so the letter does not fall through.

If you are struggling with an older or disabled bunny then a lot of people have found repurposing a wide plastic potting tray works really well. They typically have one low side and are big enough for a bunny that may struggle a mobility to easily get on.

Look out for combinations of litter trays and feeding station as these can be a great way of making double use of a smaller space. They will encourage your bunny to both use the litter tray and eat some more hay which is always good.

red hay feeder litter box button Litter box with hay feeder

Litter trays with a mesh under them, although easy to clean, can be uncomfortable for your bunny and this sort of setup is not used by people that put the welfare of their bunnies first.

What is the best type of litter tray for my rabbit?