Too Much of a Good Thing?

[CatsDogsBunns]

We have 2 large indoor bunns - a bonded pair (brother and sister). We rescued them 2 months ago and they have been great. Fully litter box trained, slowly getting friendlier with us - but the female is still quite skittish. We originally had them in a penned area in our front room. Since they're larger than any bunnies we've had before, it just felt like they would enjoy a bigger space - and every time we open the pen to go in or just interact with them they seem to want to come out - so last night we rearranged their room. The pen panels now protect the walls, cords and furniture from them and the bunns have the rest of the room in which to romp. When I checked on them first thing this morning, i found urine on the floor, on their carpeted area, on the (protected) sofa and bunn turds everywhere. Very little action in their litter boxes. I assume this behavior is either due to relocating them in carriers while we rearranged the room and/or actual the change to their environment. My question is, do we give them time to adjust (will they?) or do we switch everything back today? If the former, how long should we allow for the adjustment period? Any other thoughts?

 

[Omi]

I think this is probably just the change to their environment. If so, it will also probably stop after a while. It sounds like territorial behaviour, reacting to the new area.

I would keep things as they are now and crossed fingers it won't be too long before they are back to being litter-trained bunnies. It's impossible to say how long this will take, but I would guess a few days.

Good luck

 

[CatsDogsBunns]

I think this is probably just the change to their environment. If so, it will also probably stop after a while. It sounds like territorial behaviour, reacting to the new area.

I would keep things as they are now and crossed fingers it won't be too long before they are back to being litter-trained bunnies. It's impossible to say how long this will take, but I would guess a few days.

Good luck

Thank you. Fingers, toes and eyes all crossed!!

 

[Pets mum]

I agree with Omi, sounds like they are marking all that lovely new space, I would just scoop the poops and put them in the litter box, so hopefully they'll get the idea. Paws crossed here