My lionhead bunny and his pooping habits

Question
I have a 9 month old lionhead rabbit which we love.  He is a house bunny and
lives in a cage.  We have a litter box in his cage which he uses, however, when
he hops around the room he leaves or drops peices of poop.  It isn't like he is
puposefully going to the bathroom, it almost seems like they just 'fall out'
while he hops.  Is this normal?  He goes poop in his cage and we keep the
litter clean.  Just wondering what to do about this as I am constantly picking
up little bunny poops on the floor.  Also, he likes to follow us, and circle us,
but isnt' very personal.  He will let us pet him if he is laying down and we get
down on the floor, but will lionheads ever be more friendly?  Will he ever be a
cuddler?  He has never been like that, but I wondered if he would get better
as he got older.  Any suggestions?  Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Kathlene,

your hunch is right, when he drops pellets outside his cage he isn't going to the bathroom.  He's marking territory.  Rabbits have scent glands by their vent area and when the pellets come out, they get coated with the scent and that's how it works.  so no, he isn't weird or ill, that's what rabbits do.  If there's a particular spot he drops a lot or always marks, you can just put another litterpan down and he can mark there (and he may use the bathroom there once he realizes it's a litterpan and okay to go there.  give him a 'good boy' if he uses it.

As for following/circling, this is the behavior of a rabit that likes you.  Rabbits circle (and make a soft honking noise) when they love someone.  It is great you can pet him on the floor.  Most rabbits don't like being held or snuggling, so his behavior is one of a typical bunny.  He may like it more when he is old and doesn't move so much.

I'd suggest picking up a copy of the House Rabbit Handbook, 4th Ed, by Marinell Harrimann.  Excellent book every rabbit owner should have.  Also the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) has excellent online articles you can print/save on all aspects of rabbit care.

Lee