litter box training

Question
We just got a mini-lop.  He is sleeping/laying in the litter box that we got
him.  We also put a cardboard box in the cage but he went to the bathroom in
that!  So we put two litter boxes in the cage - one with bedding in it and one
with litter in it, but he is still laying in the one with the litter and not going
near the other one.  Also, he just goes to the bathroom either in that same
litter box or just on the floor of his cage.  What should I do?

Answer
Hi,

I don't know what 'bedding' you are using.  I would basically at this point take the litterbox he does not use, out.  instead of any bedding material, use either pet bedding (like a synthetic sheepskin or pet bedding) or old soft cotton towels over the bottom of the cage flooring.  If and when he gets these wet, they are washable.  But keep the litterpan he does use, as he does go to the bathroom there.  

Make sure his food and water are on the other side of the cage.  He should have timothy hay so that he can eat it while in the litterbox or outside the litterbox.

You don't say how old he is.  If he's over 4 months he's probably sexually mature and part of the behavior is marking his stuff.  The solution is to find a good rabbit vet around you and schedule him in for a neuter.  You will need to read up on this, I recommend the House Rabbit Handbook and the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org)

To find a good rabbit vet start here (not all vets are good rabbit vets):

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society-recommended vet near you.

Lee