Hi guys, I can’t seem to stop my bunny from peeing on our bed. His pen is right next to it and so is his litter box, he’s spayed, fabric/scent neutraliser sprays don’t work. I want him to have access to the bed to chill with us but I hate having to clean the sheets haha (I mean his name is Armageddon so maybe that’s his way of living up to it lmao)
by Odd-Combination-9821
13 Comments
I don’t know to be honest but I can share this with you:
I used to volunteer at a bunny rescue.
There was an amazing tripod named Mulligan. Loved this fella and was thinking about bringing him home to bond with George.
I was afraid no one would look beyond his missing foot that I bid on and won a bunny bed as a hook to get him noticed.
I was so excited when I brought it to the rescue to give to Mully. First thing he did was hop on the bed and pee.
Maybe a way to make it theirs?
Also, maybe tweaking the litter box setup can help.
I would make trips to pick up good eating hay, being sure to add to the front of his litter box.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful but your bun is adorable!
First thing is to put a waterproof protection on your bed to make it easier to clean and more sanitary for you. If your rabbit is neutered but still very stubborn, then you put a litterbox on the bed for several weeks (you remove it at night of course, which means your rabbit must not have access to your bed at night). You should still keep another one on the ground tho in case your rabbit changes its mind. Progressively, you start moving the litterbox ever so slightly every couple days towards one side of the bed, then you put the litterbox on a chair or something next to where it was on your bed, so it’s out of the bed but still elevated and accessible (ideally the same height as your bed). Then you put it on something lower, then lower again, etc… Until it’s on the ground. It’s a long process but it usually works even with stubborn rabbits.
Are they unaltered? Our bunny is litter trained but when we got him a month ago he was an unaltered male. Peeing in inappropriate places is a sign of marking territory. He’s much better about using his litterbox now.
Edit: also if you know how to read their actions and body language you can tell whether they’re unhappy with their space or not. Try moving things around a little and see how they react. They’re smart and really picky about their space from personal experience. They’ll nudge your hand and toss things if they don’t like the setup. Peeing is likely a form of protest for a fixed bunny. Try placing their box where they’re peeing and add some hay and bedding around the area that they chose. It worked for our male at least. He doesn’t even poop everywhere anymore. He goes to his crate and relieves himself while grazing. Once he’s done he’s back to giving kisses, cuddling, playing, sleeping, and sprinting around making binkies.
Pee on his bed
he got those little *pee eyes*
Have you tried completely separating your bed from where the litter is? It’s *possible* he feels they’re close enough to be one in the same. The scent from his litter might be enough on your sheets for him to think it’s okay to go on the bed.
I would put his litter box in a corner, in a separate room and keep him in there with the new set up for a few weeks. Once he’s adjusted to that litter box location and knows where it is, try giving him some space to roam around. I would also lightly spritz some dilluted white vinegar water (80% water, 20% distilled white vinegar) on a sheet that you don’t sleep on and put it over your bed (so you don’t have to smell the vinegar when you sleep lol).
This should *hopefully* teach him that your bed is no longer the litter box.
ah, the eternal question! i am thinking of getting oilcloth to throw on top of the bed.
He looks feisty. I hope you win this battle
Idk my bunny used to do that and stopped on her own
well she does occasionally take a tiny piss on her side of the bed but eh 🤷🏼♀ it’s easier to clean
Look at that sweet baby!
Me thoroughly reading all the comments because mine insists on peeing on our dogs bed…and our dog has no beef with him!
Our bunny peed on the bed- we were lucky enough to have a door that we could keep closed and if it was open then likely he would pee and poop on the bed!
I had this issue with mine for a few months after having been perfectly potty trained for a year, also neutered. He slept in bed with me with 0 accidents for well over a year of his life until all of a sudden he started peeing on my bed regularly.
This is the process I think solved the issue in our case:
1. I locked my bunny into his enclosure anytime I was away or sleeping. No free roaming without supervision. Then when he would roam (during the day as I worked from home) he was allowed on the bed but I would shoo him off the bed as soon as I saw any sign of him getting ready to pee (bum out, tail up). It was hard and I had to watch him constantly
2. Changing his litterbox every 2-3 days. Having fresh litter can only help make his litterbox more attractive than your bed. I noticed he would pee on the bed more when I would let his litterbox get too dirty.
3. Get a waterproof sheet (bought a great one on amazon) and put it over your entire bed; over all pillows and cushions and throws and any bedding, all you should see on your bed is that sheet. Tape it down if you have a particularly stubborn bunny. Do not EVER leave your bed unattended without being fully covered and secured by said sheet. If it gets soiled too often, I suggest getting a back up you can use them in alternance so you’re always protected. Always wash everything with vinegar and baking soda.
4. Praise your bunny when you catch him peeing in his litterbox. I would say “gooood boy, peepee in the box” with the same intonation and rythm every time, and then give him a small treat (the treat doesn’t have to be every time after a while as your rabbit will become conditioned).
I did all these things simultaneously over a period of about 2 months and the problem is now resolved. I still cover my bed with the waterproof cover, but my bunny is back as free roaming 24/7 and sleeps in bed with me like he used to before his pee phase. We haven’t had any accidents in well over 3 months.