Rabbits are interesting pals that can let you become curious about their behaviors and activities several times. One of them is their pee and poo styles. Raising rabbits for over a decade, I still keep learning about their behaviors and needs, especially the nature and frequency of pee.
So, how often do rabbits pee? A rabbit pees around 2-7 times a day based on the quantity of food consumed, activity, and health conditions. Rabbits with urinary incontinence or unneutered tend to pee quite frequently accounting for 10+ times a day.
If you’re not sure if your bunny is peeing or not, look for wet spots on the floor, urine stains on bedding, or a strong ammonia smell. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take your bunny to the vet.
Let me explain more about the poop-ology and pee-ology of rabbits in this article!
How often do rabbits poop?
Rabbits poo around 200-300 pea to garbanzo-sized poos in a day. The age of a rabbit can influence the number of poos. A baby rabbit can poo less than 100 poos a day while an adult, medium-sized rabbit can poo over 200 pellets.
Some rabbits will eat their poo, called coprophagy. This is usually done to digest the food in their stomachs a second time and extract more nutrients. While some people believe that eating your own poo can be harmful, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
In fact, coprophagy may help keep the rabbit’s gut healthy by introducing new bacteria to the digestive system. The dropping from a rabbit is either softer black poo or rounded black ones.
So, there you have it! Rabbits poop a lot, but that’s okay because they digest their food twice and eat their poo! However, if it happens regularly, your bunny needs a health checkup. Perhaps, a bunny’s poo can tell a lot about their health conditions.
If you think he has urinary incontinence, you need to read this article – can a rabbit wear diapers?
How do you know when a rabbit needs to pee?
One way to tell if a rabbit needs to pee is if the rabbit is squatting down and backing up. If your rabbit does this, take him or her to the litter box right away! Another way is to see them lift the tail and push the rear area indicating the urge to urinate.
Other signs that a rabbit needs to pee include circling around an area, hopping, and sudden movements. If you see any of these signs, take your rabbit to the litter box as soon as possible! This is also a method to litter-train your rabbit.
When you do this to a baby rabbit, it becomes a lot easier since he/she can understand and adapt to it quickly than adult rabbits.
Is it normal for rabbits to pee a lot?
A rabbit pees an average of 150ml for a weight of 2kgs and it goes up to 650-800ml for rabbits weighing over 5kgs. Anything beyond these ranges is something you should worry about.
Yes, it is normal for rabbits to pee a lot. In fact, they can produce up to 750ml of urine per day! This is because they have a high level of urinary tract health which helps them to flush out toxins and keep their systems healthy. If your rabbit is peeing more than usual, it may be a sign that they are not feeling well and you should take them to the vet.
Some rabbits develop the urge for excess thirst resulting in excess urination. In that case, you should check for the likelihood of polyuria, according to Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital. Polyuria means an increase in the volume of urine and it is generally considered an abnormal condition. Other diseases that are related to polyuria are diabetes mellitus, renal disease, and hypercalcemia.
Here is a quick video to understand more about the pee-ology of rabbits –
If your rabbit is drinking a lot of water but isn’t peeing any more than usual, you should take them to the vet.
How do I stop my bunny from peeing everywhere?
The best way to stop bunnies from peeing everywhere is to place a litter box adjacent to food and water bowls so they get used to the locations. Whenever they develop the urge to pee, direct them to a litter box.
According to House Rabbit Society, neutering could be one way to stop bunny from peeing everywhere and also in mitigating potential urine-related complications.
If you think your rabbit is in heat, here is an article on what you should do – How often do rabbits go into heat?
Bunnies tend to pee everywhere if they are new to the place and want to mark the territory. This leads to deliberate peeing in random areas. On the other hand, it can also happen if your bunny is happy and wants to show love by peeing randomly.
One of my rabbits used to pee randomly and deliberately make me clean frequently. But, that’s just a happy behavior although it needs to be regulated. He does this when he is excited.
If you want to regulate, there are a few things you can do to minimize the peeing:
- Place a litter box next to the food and water bowls.
- If your bunny is new, keep them in one room until they get used to the new environment.
- Reward your bunny when they go pee in the litter box.
- Clean the messes immediately so your bunny doesn’t get the wrong idea.
Related – Do rabbits need to be in pairs?
Is your rabbit’s pee and poop normal?
When your rabbit urinates above 8 times or poos over 300 pellets, it is abnormal and you should take him to a vet. Diarrhea, cloudy urine, and bloody urine are abnormal as well.
Another way to confirm normalcy is based on the color and shape of pee/poo. Diarrhea or cecals in poo indicate abnormalities. Likewise, cloudy urine with light color or with a few drops of blood indicates abnormalities that might demand the vet’s attention.
These happen when they have urinary tract infections or are not given the right kind of diet.
What color should rabbit pee be?
Rabbits pee in yellow, orange, brown, and red based on the food given. You should worry when it is cloudy or has drops of blood in it.
The different colors of urine are caused by the breakdown of food in the digestive system.
| Food | Urine Color |
| Hay | Light yellow/orange |
| Vegetables | Dark yellow/orange |
| Pellets | Brown |
| Blood | Red |
When a rabbit eats hay, the urine will be a light yellow or orange.
When a rabbit eats vegetables, the urine will be a darker yellow or orange.
If a rabbit eats pellets, the urine will be a brown color. And if a rabbit eats blood, the urine will be a red color.
While the different colors of urine are interesting, it’s important to remember that they can also indicate that a rabbit is sick.
If your rabbit smells weird, here is an article – Why does my rabbit smell like onions?
How to stop your bunny from peeing on your bed?
The best way to stop a bunny from peeing on your bed is to improve the comfort of his bedding, direct him to a litter box, provide a space next to your bed, clean the space, and place food bowls adjacently.
Lennon The Bunny has an excellent video on actionable tips.
Bunnies are naturally drawn to soft and comfortable surfaces to rest on, including beds. If your bunny is choosing to pee on your bed instead of his designated litter box, it may be because his bedding isn’t comfortable enough. Try adding some soft bedding like fleece to his sleeping area, or even put a towel on your bed specifically for him.
Bunnies also like privacy when they go potty, so provide them with their own designated litter box next to your bed. This will help him feel comfortable knowing that he has his own space to do his business.
Regularly clean the space where your bunny is peeing, both on and around your bed. This will help to dissuade him from continuing this bad habit.
Finally, place food bowls next to his sleeping area and litter box. This will keep him close to his potty spot, and he may be less likely to go to other areas when he’s hungry.
Best diet for healthy rabbit poos
For healthy rabbit pee and poos, you need to provide a high-fiber diet that includes – hay, water, green vegetables, rabbit-exclusive pellets, and fruits. A diet that is low in sugar and high in fiber is essential to keeping your bunny’s digestive system healthy.
It’s also important to provide plenty of freshwaters, as bunnies need to drink a lot of fluids to help with digestion. You can place a water bottle or bowl in the cage, or if your rabbit has free reign of the house, provide a water bottle with a sipper tube.
Hay should make up the majority of your bunny’s diet, as it is packed with fiber that helps keep their digestive system healthy. Good options include Timothy hay, orchard hay, and brome hay.
You can also give your bunny fresh vegetables as a healthy snack. Some good options include Romaine lettuce, kale, parsley, dandelion greens, and watercress.
Rabbit-exclusive pellets are also an important part of a healthy diet for bunnies. These pelleted foods are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of rabbits and should make up the majority of their diet.
You can also give your bunny a small amount of fruit as a healthy snack. Some good options include diced apple, banana, and blueberries. However, you should avoid giving your bunny too much fruit, as it can be high in sugar.
By providing your bunny with a healthy diet, you can help keep their digestive system healthy and their pee and poos nice and consistent!
How to make rabbit pee and poop in the corner?
You can train rabbits to pee and poop in the corner by following the steps below.
- Place the litter box at your bunny’s regular place.
- Develop a rabbit-safe litter that comprises pellets or wheatgrass or alfalfa grass or newspapers.
- Place the food adjacent to the litter box.
- Give him a treat initially when he walks to the litter and pees/poops there.
- Do not move the litter box, but keep adding new pellets to the old one as needed.
After a week or two of this routine, your bunny should get the idea and will start using the litter box without needing any encouragement from you.
Rabbits usually like to pee and poop in the same spot; if your bunny is choosing a different corner, you may need to move the litter box to that spot.
If your bunny stops using the litter box, go back to step 1 and start from scratch.
Note. Do not use clay or corncob litter.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a rabbit hold its pee?
A rabbit can hold his pee for up to 24 hours but it is extremely unhealthy since it develops urinary tract infections.
Pay close attention to the urine routine of your rabbit so you can determine when it turns into a medical emergency.
Rabbits will usually squat frequently and produce small amounts of urine. If your rabbit stops using the litter box, has accidents in the house, or is producing significantly more or less urine than usual, then it’s time to get him checked out by a veterinarian.
Do rabbits pee when excited?
Rabbits pee when excited and this could happen if their favorite person has just arrived or if they are fed with treats.
When a rabbit is excited, it could have a lot of energy and this would lead to the release of urine.
Some rabbits tend to pee on you out of excitement and you should be happy with this behavior. You have gained their trust and got rewarded for the same.
Do rabbits pee when angry?
Rabbits pee when angry and in random places to display their anger and frustration. You may have to give him a treat or divert him with a toy when you find him this way.
Here’s how angry pees happen.
Do rabbits pee when scared?
Rabbits can also pee when they are anxious. This may be because they are in a new environment or they are around unfamiliar people. In some cases, rabbits may even pee when they are scared. If you see your rabbit doing this, it is important to remain calm and reassure your pet.
When your rabbit is scared, you can easily find it out by looking at their heartbeats. If the heart rate is high, it means that the rabbit is scared. When you pet them, they calm down and their heart rate goes back to normal.
Why does my rabbit lay in his pee?
A rabbit sitting or laying in his pee is an indicator of a health problem. When their hind regions are injured, they may feel difficulties lifting them and passing poop or urine.
This is also a common condition with aged rabbits. The problem with rabbits laying in his pee is that it creates wet tails and the region becomes soggy. This can lead to skin problems and a decreased appetite.
To treat wet tail appropriately, here is an article – does wet tail kill rabbits?
Do bunnies like their own pee?
Rabbits tend to eat their poo and drink their own pee following instincts but there are no harms when these habits happen rarely.
When you do not pay attention to your rabbit and he misses you, he can develop unusual behaviors and this is one of them.
It is natural for them to do so as their diet in the wild consists mostly of greens which contain a lot of water. Rabbits living in captivity, however, do not have the luxury of choosing from a wide variety of food and might develop these bad habits due to dehydration. If your bunny does this often, you should consult with your veterinarian to rule out any health problems.
Final Thoughts
Monitoring the pee and poo behaviors of your rabbits is extremely important. These behaviors convey their emotions and needs.
In fact, I used this as a way to detect a health complication in one of my rabbits. Whenever you find an abnormality in a specific activity, do not Google but take him to a vet.