why do my rabbits use their bed as a toilet?

[thisisyesterday]

it's really annoying me! my last rabbit always used one corner of the hutch, and always went in the same place in his run, making everything easy to clean up

my 2 current bunnies wee and poo anywhere and everywhere, but they seem to favour their bed!
how can i discourage this? should i discourage it?

my rabbits all do it. I can't say that it ever occured to me to try and discourage it. I just clean the whole hutch out.

ahh ok, i thought i remmebered reading that they tend to use one area as a toilet (which my friend's rabbit does, and my previous one did) which is why they can be litter trained easily

and i thought they wouldn't do it where they sleep either.

obv i do clean the whole lot out, and would do even if they hadn't peed/pooped in the bed but it just seemed a little odd

Try putting a litter tray in the area they already use as a toilet. Makes it much easier to clean out!

i have a triangle tray in the corner of the hutch ,but its never used it just goes in one place

The rabbits decide where the toilet is, not you!

You need to move the litter tray to where the rabbits have chosen to go. Also, make sure the litter tray is big enough as they like to get right inside it. (The first one I had wasn't big enough and not properly used!) Put plenty of fresh hay in every day too as they like to eat while they poo!!! My rabbits have two large litter trays (I use a large deep-ish seed tray)and that's the only place I put hay down for them.

Are they pissed? That can often lead to bed/toilet confusion, I believe.

I agree to move the tray to wherever they currently poo and wee.

Mine started to use both areas - their bed compartment as well, after a while - but then I realised they needed neutering as they were actually spraying.

Once they were 'done' they stick to the litter tray and all is well.

How old are your bunnies, TIY?

If they poo everyhwerre then you need to pick the poo up and put it in the litter tray. Keep doing that, may take a week or two. Hopefully they may then get the idea.

Also put a hay rack full of hay on the hutch wall above the litter tray. They like to eat and poo at the same time.

Good point, DavidTennantsgirl!