Why Does My Rabbit Pee On My Bed? 8 Reasons You Should Know
Having a pet rabbit is not always pleasing. He can sometimes be frustrating to deal with, peeing and pooping on your bed or couch. The unpleasant odors from his urine and feces can disturb you a lot.
Now, you might be wondering, why does my rabbit pee on my bed? Rabbits usually pee on someone’s bed to assert dominance, have an infection or bladder sludge, or simply find the bed comfortable. Besides, they may do this because they’re too young or too old to control themselves.
Apart from that, some other reasons are out there why bunnies pee on beds or couches. Here we’re going to talk about them. After reading this, you may take a quick look at another article on why rabbits pee on their owners.
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What Are the Reasons Why Your Bunny Pees On Your Bed?
In this section, you’re going to know 8 possible reasons why bunnies pee on their owners’ beds and other belongings.
1. Showing Dominance
If your bunny is dominant over you or another bun, he may feel the need to mark his territory with urine or feces. Your bed may be the easiest target since you’re likely to be on your bed a lot.
2. Finding Your Bed Comfortable
Does your bunny pee on your bed when you’re sleeping? If the answer is yes, then it could be because your bunny finds your bed as comfortable as he can pee. For your information, rabbits tend to pee in comfortable places.
3. Having a Medical Issue
If your bunny pees on your bed all of a sudden, he might have an infection, bladder sludge, or other health problems. These medical issues may cause him to start peeing in inappropriate places, like beds and couches.
4. Being Very Young or Very Old
Young or old rabbits may not be able to control where to pee. If your bunny is too young or too old, he might accidentally pee on your bed or couch. So, place a thick towel on your bed before your bunny sits on it.
5. Reaching the Age of Puberty
Bunnies of the age of puberty may pee in inappropriate places. To resolve the issue, your bunny needs to be neutered. Since reproductive health issues are common regardless of gender, female rabbits need to be fixed as well.
6. Living in an Uncomfortable Place
If your bunny lives in a dirty cage, or the litter box is full, he is likely to pee in inappropriate places, like beds, couches, etc. Bunnies like to pee in a clean environment. His underfoot needs to be dry while peeing.
7. Change in Environment
Due to the change in your bunny’s environment, such as shifting house, he may pee or poop on your bed or couch. This type of sudden move may confuse your bunny. He may feel more comfortable on your belongings.
8. Out of Fear or Nervousness
Bunnies can pee on their owners’ beds and other belongings out of fear or nervousness. If this happens occasionally, it’s not a big deal. But, if this happens repeatedly, visit a pro vet as soon as possible.
Is Rabbit Urine Harmful To You?
Rabbit urine can be harmful to humans. Since the rabbit urine is high in ammonia, it can cause irritation and burning if your skin comes into contact with it. Ingesting rabbit urine can also cause nausea and vomiting.
However, some experts say that rabbit urine is safe to come into contact with. Anyway, if you’re concerned about the safety of rabbit urine, it’s best to avoid coming into contact with it.
What To Do If You Find Your Bunny Peeing On Your Bed
If you find your bunny peeing on your bed, you may be wondering what to do. You shouldn’t overreact. Just tell your bunny to leave. Once he leaves, clean the bedsheet and cover your bed with plastic covers. We recommend this mattress protector, and you’ll get it on Amazon.
Apart from that, you can spray some vinegar on your bunny’s litter box so that you cannot get odors. If you catch your bunny again peeing on your bed, punish him in a humane way.
How To Stop Your Bunny From Peeing On Your Bed
Bunny peeing on your bed can be frustrating and messy. Fortunately, there are some ways to stop your bunny from doing this. Here are a few tips:
1. Litter Train Your Bunny
Make sure your bunny has a litter box and is using it. If your bunny is not litter trained, train him first. Relocate the litter box if needed. A different environment may help your bunny pee in the right place.
2. Get Your Bunny To Exercise Enough
Your bunny needs to exercise for at least an hour every day. This may help him pee normally at the right place at the right time. Otherwise, he may accidentally pee on your bed.
3. Offer Your Bunny Healthy Food
A diet high in fiber and low in sugar is ideal for bunnies. This type of food can help keep your bunny’s bladder healthy. As a result, your bunny isn’t likely to pee on your bed all of a sudden.
4. Provide Your Bunny More Toys
If your bunny pees on your bed out of fear, nervousness, or anxiety, you should give him a lot of toys to make him more relaxed. See a vet for treatment asap if the issue is not resolved.
5. Put a Barrier Between Your Bed & the Litter Box
Is your bunny not willing to be away from your bed? You can keep the litter box close to your bed. However, make sure to put a barrier between the litter box and your bed so that he cannot come close to your while peeing.
6. Consider Re-homing Your Bunny
If you cannot prevent your bunny from peeing on your bed in spite of your best efforts, consider re-homing him. But you have to consult with a pro rabbit expert before re-homing your bunny.
Should You Punish Your Bunny For Peeing On Your Bed?
There is some debate over whether you should punish your bunny or not for peeing on your bed. The best way to deal with this issue is to try to figure out why your bunny does this unusual behavior.
Once you determine the issue, decide whether you punish him or not. If you decide to punish him, you should be humane. Don’t hit or kick your bunny. You can just withhold his food or water for a short period.
Final Words
Now that you know why your bunny may pee on your bed and how to prevent him to do that, we believe you won’t have any complaints regarding this matter. Always consult your nearby vet for the best support.
However, we hope this article helped you a lot about rabbits’ peeing behavior. If you think we missed any point, comment down below. We suggest you keep in touch with us on Pinterest, and Twitter.
Image Sources:
- Pixabay.com
- Istockphoto.com