One of the first things you want to do as a new rabbit owner is to litter train your pet. Litter training your rabbit will ensure your pet’s enclosure and your house stay clean and odor-free, and your bunny will not have to walk on their feces all day.
But before getting started with the litter training, it’s essential to find a suitable litter box. The best litter boxes promote good litter box habits and prevent urine splashing outside or tracking litter.
Let’s go over the different types of litter boxes you can use and what makes them a suitable option.
How to Choose the Best Rabbit Litter Box
Unfortunately, there isn’t one single litter box on the market that can be considered the best of all. As with everything, it all depends on the rabbit’s preferences and what suits you and your home.
While we can’t single out one litter box as the best, we know what makes a litter box good or bad. The best litter box for rabbits ticks these boxes:
Comfortable Size
The litter box should be large enough for your rabbit to comfortably fit inside and have extra room to turn around fully. If you opt for a litter box that is too small and your pet doesn’t feel comfortable in it, they might not want to use it and will poop all over the place instead.
I suggest a minimum of 16 inches x 10 inches for smaller rabbit breeds. Large rabbit breeds will benefit from a box that is 20+ inches long. Cement mixing pans from the hardware store and storage containers work well for giant rabbit breeds and can be found for cheap.
A good litter box setup includes a pile of hay or a hay feeder that will encourage your rabbit to use the box. Rabbits love to eat while pooping, so having hay in the litter box or within reach is essential for litter training. Make sure the litter box you pick has enough room to hold hay for grazing, with enough space left for your rabbit to lay down.
Tall Sides
You’ll want to choose a litter box with high sides to keep your bun’s droppies contained. Look for one with sides that are at least 6 inches tall. This will prevent hay and poop from getting tracked outside the box. Also, the taller sides will prevent your rabbit from spraying urine on the surrounding walls.
Easy to Access
While young and healthy rabbits won’t have a problem jumping into a litter box, a hard-to-access box can be an issue if you have an older bunny with mobility issues. For an older bunny, you want a litter box with a low entrance so they can simply walk in.
Let’s review the different litter box options that might work for you!
Examples of the Best Litter Boxes for Your Bun
There are many different litter boxes on the market, but the truth is – you don’t even need to use a typical litter box! You can use certain household items from your local hardware store and save money in the process.
Here are some great options for your bunny’s litter box:
A Large Cat Litter Box
A cat litter box is often a better option than those marketed for rabbits, as they tend to be larger. There’s also a much bigger selection compared to rabbit litter boxes.
Here are some good options:
Rabbit Litter Box with Grates
Some rabbit owners prefer a litter box with grates so the pee and poop fall through on the litter while the grates stay clean.
Some good grated litter box options are:
Storage Containers / Under the Bed Totes
Storage containers make a great litter box as they can be found in large sizes that work even for the largest rabbit breeds. To make it easier for your rabbit to enter, you can cut the opening and use a lighter to round off the edge.
Good storage container options you can use as a litter box:
Concrete Mixing Pan
Believe it or not, a concrete mixing pan from stores like Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart can also make a great litter box. They are a great choice for large and giant rabbit breeds that need lots of room to move around.
Corner Rabbit Litter Box
While square litter boxes are the norm and most popular among rabbit owners, you can also get a triangular litter box. These corner litter boxes are designed to save space, although they tend to be smaller and might not work well for every rabbit.
Some extra large corner litter boxes that might work for you:
What to Put in the Litter Box?
One of the most popular litter options amongst rabbit owners is horse pine pellets from Tractor Supply or similar stores. While untreated pine wood is unsafe for bunnies as it contains phenols that irritate their respiratory systems and can cause liver issues in bunnies, pine pellets are kiln-dried and processed at extremely high temperatures to remove those dangerous phenols, making them safe to use.
Pine pellets are great at odor control, cheap, and effective. They can be a bit rough on the bunny’s delicate feet, so you can add a layer of hay or paper bedding on top for comfort.
Other suitable litter material options are:
Final Thoughts
I hope this article helped you find the best litter box or at least guided you in the right direction.
Remember, every rabbit is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s important to observe your rabbit’s behaviors and preferences to find the perfect fit.