Re-litter-training an older bunny?

[katbun]

Just wondering if anyone had experience training/retraining an older bunny to pee in the litter tray. As a previous post mentioned, Joey lost his litter training for medical reasons which are mostly resolved now, so I'm trying to reduce the amount of "accidents" we're having. I'm trying the methods which worked when he was young (moving him to the tray when he lifts his tail, mopping up pee and putting the paper towels in the tray, changing to clean floor coverings regularly...).

Is what I'm doing futile? Can you teach an old rabbit new tricks? Although really this is an old trick - he's been very good his whole life.

 

[Shimmer]

If he is consistently using certain areas to toilet, I would provide a litter tray or alternative (eg puppy pad) at those spots. Once he is consistently using them, gradually move them to where you want them and thoroughly clean the area where they started so it's no longer associated with a toilet. Sometimes it's just easier overall to give in and leave the facilities where they want them.

Random toileting is another issue altogether.

 

[katbun]

If he was picking particular areas I would put litter trays there, unfortunately it just seems to be wherever he happens to be. I'm getting better at reading his body language and pre-emptively putting him in his litter tray, hopefully that helps reinforce the idea...

 

[InspectorMorse]

Is the litter tray a high sided one? If he has EC/arthritis related hind leg weakness hopping into a litter tray might be difficult for him. A drop sided tray would help.

 

[katbun]

Is the litter tray a high sided one? If he has EC/arthritis related hind leg weakness hopping into a litter tray might be difficult for him. A drop sided tray would help.

I'll set up a drop sided one and see if this helps, the reason I haven't done this yet is because Piper is a dedicated litter digger.

But would he not be toileting in one spot rather than randomly if this was an accessibility issue?

 

[InspectorMorse]

I'll set up a drop sided one and see if this helps, the reason I haven't done this yet is because Piper is a dedicated litter digger.

But would he not be toileting in one spot rather than randomly if this was an accessibility issue?

He might be more likely to try to use a tray that isn’t hard to hop into. If you use a few trays too it might help. But with older Bunnies or those affected by EC litter tray training can go for good, unfortunately. Is he actually aware he’s urinating? EC can effect the ability to control the bladder.

 

[katbun]

He might be more likely to try to use a tray that isn’t hard to hop into. If you use a few trays too it might help. But with older Bunnies or those affected by EC litter tray training can go for good, unfortunately. Is he actually aware he’s urinating? EC can effect the ability to control the bladder.

Yes I'll set up the dropped side one as well as the one we've already got, since Piper is happy with it. If he can't be retrained, that's fine, it's just more work for me.

He seems aware and in control, it's not like he's urinating on himself/sitting in it, he'll be hopping along, look at me, lift up his tail and pee, then move on. He doesn't pee in his favourite sleeping spot which indicates some semblance of hygiene.