Selecting the right litter box for your rabbit is crucial for their health and happiness.
In this guide, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of various litter box designs to help you decide which option suits your rabbit best.
We understand that every rabbit is different, so we also aim to match the varying needs of rabbits with types of litter boxes.
This guide prioritizes the well-being of your bunny. We focus on ensuring they are as comfortable as possible, and they assist in the complex behavior of litter training.
Our insights are based on 20 years of experience as rabbit owners. We also relied on information gathered from our bunny-proofing Facebook group, which has 50,000 members sharing their experiences over the past decade.
Continue reading to find the litter box that best fits you and your rabbit.
We believe a combination of a litter box and a hay feeder is the best choice for most rabbits.
This design encourages your bunny to use the litter box while promoting hay consumption. This will be beneficial for their health and help improve litter training habits.
The sturdy wooden frame makes the litter tray more stable, preventing it from moving around or tipping up.
However, these boxes do take up considerable space. If you're considering this option for a smaller enclosure, think about how much room you’ll have left.
Our review of the Litter box with hay feeder:
This combination worked well for us, and our rabbits used it as a giant wooden chew toy, which they enjoyed.
Overall:
We recommend this as the best all-in-one litter box setup.
Corner litter boxes are excellent space savers within a pen or enclosure, occupying minimal room.
They are best placed in a corner, and their high sides help contain any mess that might be kicked out.
These boxes are ideal for smaller breeds due to their typically low entry height, making it easier for small bunnies to jump in and out.
However, larger rabbits may find them uncomfortable, and lightweight designs can easily be tipped over.
Our review of the Corner litter pan:
We used this option while litter-training our rabbits as they had a habit of peeing over the edge of the regular litter pan.
The smaller size required frequent cleaning which we didn't mind however we found it got tipped over quite often.
Once our bunnies grew larger and their litter training habits improved we replaced it with a larger box.
Overall:
Great for smaller bunnies, with high sides to help contain mess.
For small or standard-sized bunnies, most regular litter boxes available in pet stores work well.
Be sure to choose a box designed specifically for rabbits, as some made for cats may have a rim that makes entry and exit difficult for bunnies.
Regular litter boxes are easy to clean and affordable, allowing for disposal once they show signs of wear.
Our review of the Litter pan:
You can’t beat a simple litter pan. They are easy to clean and inexpensive, making it practical to replace them once they start looking worn.
Overall:
Bunnies typically do well with a regular litter pan.
Hooded litter pans are a good solution if you are concerned about odor from the litter box or want to place it in a more open area like a kitchen.
They help contain the mess that could spread throughout your home.
These litter boxes are often a bit of a compromise, as it means you miss the opportunity to put hay in the litter box, which can encourage better litter habits.
Our review of the Hooded litter pan:
We prefer an open litter pan with a hay feeder, as our rabbits like to spend a lot of time eating hay there and observing their surroundings.
We use a paper-based litter and clean it out once a day, so we don't experience any odor.
Overall:
They can help conceal smells and mess but your rabbit may prefer an open box with a hay feeder over it.
High-sided litter boxes are excellent for preventing litter from being scattered throughout your home.
They can also catch hay that falls from an above feeder, significantly reducing waste.
For best results, position the litter box against a wall or at the edge of an enclosure to prevent tipping over.
These boxes are slightly more expensive than regular litter boxes, making them a great choice for messy rabbits or larger bunnies that may pee over the side of a lower tray.
Our review of the high sided letter pan:
We prefer a repurposed dog bed as it has high sides but allows easy access on one side.
Overall:
These litter boxes are great for containing messes, especially for larger bunnies.
If you have a giant bunny, such as a Continental or Flemish Giant, regular litter boxes may be too small.
This can lead to accidents where they pee over the sides, kick out litter, or even tip the entire box up.
A great solution is to use a small plastic dog bed.
These come in various sizes and are easy to clean. Just make sure it doesn't have drainage holes, as this can allow litter and urine to fall through.
Our review of the a re purposed dog bed as a litter box:
We have kept continental giants, and this was the only option we found that worked. It was big enough to give our bunny a comfortable amount of room and stop him from peeing over the side.
Overall:
If you can’t find a regular litter tray big enough, this is the best option.
For older or disabled bunnies, many people have successfully repurposed wide plastic potting trays as litter trays.
Potting trays typically have one low side and are spacious enough for bunnies with mobility issues to enter and exit easily.
Their large size also allows for more litter to be added, which can be helpful as they spend more time in the tray as they age or struggle with mobility.
Our review of litter trays for old and disabled rabbits:
When our rabbit got a lot older we realized he started going to the toilet outside his litter tray because he was struggling to get in and out. This made his life a lot easier.
Overall:
This is the best solution for older or disabled bunnies, making their lives easier.
We do not recommend using litter boxes with a mesh cover.
Such designs can be uncomfortable for your bunny, making it more difficult to maintain consistent litter training and may result in more mess.
Most regular litter boxes in pet stores will be fine for your bunny. They are easy to clean and inexpensive to replace when they become worn. If your bunny tends to be messy, you might want to consider a high-sided litter box.
High-sided litter boxes are ideal for containing messes and are recommended for larger bunnies that might pee over the edge. However, keep in mind that they do take up more space and can be easily tipped over.
If you have an older or disabled bunny struggling to get in their litter box you can repurpose a wide plastic potting box.
You need a large litter box for a giant bunny. If you can't find a large litter box for your bunny, a plastic dog bed is ideal for giant bunnies to move around comfortably.
Yes, bunny litter boxes with hay feeders are excellent for encouraging your bunny to eat more hay and helping establish better litter training habits.