Hi all, ok I have 2 problems. Firstly, I litter trained Dylan a few months ago and he got the hang of it finally when i realised he wanted a bigger tray etc and so it all went fine and there were very few accidents. However....now he is weeing in the correct place but is deciding to poo all over the place, mainly as a very pretty border AROUND the litter tray. I know that in the wild they like to poo everywhere to fertilise the ground etc but um is there any way you can overcome this?! Any suggestions please.......! Is he telling me he doesnt like where the box is or is he doing it for attention?

Secondly, I have had him since he was 6 weeks old and have given him lots and lots of attention and picked him up and cuddled him (he used to sleep in my hood when I wore it up if i was cold, when he was small that is!). but now he absolutely hates being handled since he started 'growing up'. I really cant pick him up at all. I have tried picking him up for literally 5 secs at a time then giving him a treat but its not really helping. The longest he has sat on my lap is about 10 seconds what am I doing wrong??

Thanks for reading this and for any advice, grateful as always!!


Rachael
x

his hormones have started to kick in he needs to be neutered asap. this will stop these not so nice habits from sticking. call your nearest rabbit rescue as they will know the best vet to go to for rabbits. many vets are crap for rabbits so make sure u pick one that seem confident in what there doing, it normally costs between £40-60 for a male and its quiet straight forward a lot more simple than a female rabbit.

With the litter training I would just put all the poops in the litter tray to give him the general idea. It can take time, and it is also a territorial think so all but one of mine still poop everywhere especially at borders to their territory for that reason even though the pee in their trays all the time.
As for being picked up, it isn't natural for a rabbit to like being picked up. At best some rabbits will tolerate it. Others love it!
I have always found that keeping them in housing that keeps picking them up to a minimum works best, and for cuddles and snuggles sitting in their space and allowing them to come to and climb all over you works well in thier own time and at their own pace.
Good luck!

Hi, thanks for the replies. Sorry, I forgot to mention that he IS neutered.......but still a handful! I think I will just carry on picking up his poos and putting them back into the tray, despite him just sitting there watching me whilst I do it.
I wasn't sure if rabbits liked being handled that much, I know they're not like some cats that you can just throw over your shoulder and carry around but I wanted to make sure Dylan wasn't just being overly anxious of being picked up. He sat on my lap for a record breaking time last night Is he more active and and like this because he's just 6 months old out of interest?

Thanks


Rachael


P.S Any help on my other thread about Dylan?!?

Over the last few days Boo has started being a complete pain in the ass with his litter tray. he now just poo's anywhere he wants (in his cage) and diggs all his litter tray out on to the floor of the cage.

i usually attach his tray to the side of the cage but he was going so mental on saturday night that i un attached it (so i could get to sleep). sunday morning when i went in his cage was ridiculous, he has tipped his tray upside down and just poo'd and wee'd all over his cage.

dont know why he has started doing this seen as he has been so good for the last few months. i have been sweeping it up and putting it back in his tray but then he just digs it all back out again

maybe they just dont like the litter? George my new bunny barely used his tray at the rescue centre, who just put hay in it. ive moved him on to the wood pellets i use for Miffy and hes perfect every time and no more wet feet!

Could be just his adolescent stage and he may settle down in a few months. Even rabbits have to go through it! I guess it depends on the rabbit. Our youngest rabbit is nearly 2 1/2 and he's shown now signs of slowing down yet!.

ive had him on carefresh and now wood pellets and he's done the same thing with both. i dont think its the litter i thinks he's just being very naughty!