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From: jbd@ritcv.UUCP (Judy B. Dick)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: litter box training rabbits
Message-ID: <8943@ritcv.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Oct-85 12:41:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: ritcv.8943
Posted: Wed Oct  9 12:41:33 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Oct-85 05:30:53 EDT
References: <3352@pur-ee.UUCP>
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Lines: 54

> My wife and I are considering getting a house rabbit and I'd like to hear
> any information about which breed to get and litter box training methods.
> Pointers to reference books on the topic would be very helpful.
> 
To people laughing at rabbits as pets:

     A rabbit can be a wonderful pet just as a dog or cat.  The more
love and attention you pay to any animal in the first year you are together,
the more warm and affectionate the animal will be to you in years to come.
(That is a general statement;SOMEONE I'm sure will rebuttal this.) Any ways,
rabbits are NOT dumb animals that sit and sleep in cages outside. Would
YOU have much excitement if someone did that to you?? For those apartment
dwellers who wish to have a dog, but the space doesn't allow it; or your
lease only allows "caged" animals, a rabbit is the ideal answer to many
situations.

To Dwight and a "hall@pyrite.DEC"

     Litter training a rabbit is very similar to training a cat.  They
don't like to sleep where they make a mess.  I suggest having a 'home'
ready for the rabbit when you bring it into your home.  The rabbit's
home maybe a cage with a cat litter box (the ones with the surrounding
edge for anti-flying litter is helpful :-) containing cat litter in one
corner while at the opposite end of the cage is lots of small rags inside
something for a 'bed' (I use a 3" high dishpan). Next, a heavy bowl (~3"
diameter) can be placed in one corner of the litter box..this is for the
food.  A dripper water bottle (a 32 oz is handy if you have to be a way
for 2 days...) should hang so that it is reachable from inside the
litter box.  Logic:  when the rabbit searches for the food and water, it
will also spend time in the litter box.  You will find that the rabbit
ends up training itself!  Give the rabbit time to adapt AND TO MATURE.
My rabbit sometimes still drops a nugget accidently when she's excited,
but a tissue or a slotted spoon (used for litterbox cleaning during the
week in between litter changes) is used quick enough.

    For chewing on wood and electrical cords (and telephone cords!), there
is a product called "Bitter Apple" originally for dogs, and rabbits hate
it too! It's well woth $5.00 for a tube and use it everywhere BEFORE
the rabbit chews where it shouldn't.  Give the rabbit soft wood sticks
in it's cage  to naw on...they have to keep their teeth worn down.

    There are great pet books in the pet store about just rabbits.
I STRONGLY suggest that you buy that FIRST, before the rabbit, for
educational reasons when you go to pick out a friend.  Do you want
a male, or a female, or 2 females to keep each other company and
out of trouble while you're at work? 

   Good luck!  I'm sorry for this being long...but I hope it may be helpful
to someone out there. Please contact me by mail for further help or
anything about rabbits...I can give you more info that way.

               Judy Dick
               {allegra,decvax,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!jbd
               Rochester, New York