Rabbits can be messy pets, especially regarding their hay and fur. While you don’t need to clean your rabbit’s habitat deep every day, it’s still important to maintain a basic level of cleanliness to prevent bacteria, odors, and overall grime.
But, indoor rabbit care isn’t always as easy as it seems. Not only are fur and grass notorious for filling in spaces, but rabbits can also be territorial and will try to bite something if you touch their stuff. Hopefully, these tips will help you have an easier time cleaning your rabbit’s area and keeping your home clean while living with a pet rabbit.
1. Keep lint rollers around
Indoor rabbits shed fur profusely, requiring constant cleaning. If cleaning all that fur every day seems impossible (it happens to me!), keeping lint rollers around can help you manage to keep your clothes and couches clean more easily.
Keep lint rollers in key places like the living room, near the rabbit’s play area, and in the car. Having them close at hand guarantees that you can promptly take fur off of apparel and furniture.
You can also use a lint roller on a variety of surfaces, including sofas, carpets, and beds. This helps maintain a somewhat fur-free environment or at least a little bit of control over all the fur.
2. Sweep the lawn before you vacuum
If you just try to empty the grass, this will Turn off your vacuum cleaner. However, if you have a carpet floor, then vacuuming is indispensable. This means more steps are taken in the cleaning routine to try to prevent vacuum clogs.
- Start by rough sweeping the area with a regular brush and dustpan to get large clumps of grass.
- Then I use a mechanical sweeper to get most of the grass stuck to the carpet. Something like this (seems like it shouldn’t work, but it does!).
- Only after you have removed most of the grass is it time to vacuum and remove the remaining dirt and grass clippings from the carpet. Use a vacuum with a removable tube (this is what I use) as it can still clog even with these precautions. Being able to remove the tube makes it easier to loosen the weed and get it stuck there.
3. Hardwood floors are easy to clean
Right now, I reside in a home with carpeting. There is no avoiding it, I have no control over the situation on the floor. But I have lived with hardwood floors in the past and I can say for sure that they are. So A lot easier when you have rabbits. If you have a choice of hardwood (or even tile) flooring, go for it!
You can place area rugs, foam mats, or flat cardboard boxes on the ground to give your rabbit’s feet some traction. Vacuuming is made much easier by the fact that they are not only simply replaceable if needed, but they are also simple to lift and shake.
Cleaning the grass is much easier than trying to vacuum it.
To make a pet-safe cleaner, add equal amounts of water and vinegar to a spray bottle and shake them together to mix.
4. Make sure you have an all-purpose pet cleaner
When cleaning around your rabbit, be sure to choose a cleaner that is safe for pets. Common household cleaners often contain chemicals that can be harmful to your rabbit.
Look for cleaners labeled as pet-safe or non-toxic. Ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and mild dish soap are generally safe options, while products with strong fragrances, bleach, or ammonia should be avoided.
With basic components, you can easily create your pet-safe cleaning. Simply mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and shake it up. It works amazingly well at cleaning everything from urine stains to rabbit dishes and litter boxes.
5. Scoop your rabbit’s litter box every day
The best way to prevent rabbit odor build-up is to scoop out their litter box every day. Now, you don’t have to completely clean the box every day, but At least Scoop out and wipe the dirty parts of the urine.
I keep a small diaper waste in my rabbit area to take out the litter boxes and contain the pee smell without having to use a new plastic bag every single day.
6. Use area rugs strategically
Area rugs can help protect your floors from damage caused by your indoor rabbit. You can use them over carpet or hardwood floors. This can prevent your rabbit from digging into the subfloor, and it can prevent urine stains on the carpet.
This has been especially useful for one of my rabbits who has a habit of peeing on the sides of his wall to mark the edge of his territory. I put a dog pee pad under an area rug to catch any pee and prevent it from ruining the floor below. With the area rug on top, my rabbit cannot dig or chew the pee pad.
Give your rabbit a place to hide so they feel safe.
7. Give your rabbit a place to hide while the vacuum is running
Rabbits can be sensitive to loud noises such as the sound of a vacuum cleaner. This means they can get nervous while the vacuum is running, so you’ll want to ensure they have a safe place to hide until the vacuuming is finished.
It can be anything from a hiding place to a cardboard box or even a cat tunnel or space behind the sofa. Hiding areas can make cleaning a little less stressful for your rabbit.
If your rabbit seems particularly fearful, you may want to consider moving them to a completely separate room while vacuuming. To keep them busy, give them a few toys or goodies.
Rabbits that are aggressive due to territorial instincts will often bite when you approach the enclosure.
8. Make sure your rabbit is not in the enclosure when cleaning
When cleaning your rabbit’s habitat, make sure your rabbit is not inside. I learned this from cleaning rabbit cages at an animal shelter. Many rabbits will become territorial and try to bite you if you try to clean their house while they are still inside.
Because of this, I usually let them roam around the rabbit room while I clean. This gives them exercise and gets them out of the way so I can clean the fence quickly and without fear of getting bitten. Allowing them to roam freely in a safe area reduces stress for your rabbit and makes cleaning more efficient.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean environment is critical for successful indoor rabbit care. Lint rollers, pet-friendly cleaners, and area rugs can help you manage fur and hay while keeping your rabbit’s habitat safe and healthy. Regular cleaning, paired with sensible techniques, will help keep your home clean and your rabbit relaxed. Prioritizing cleanliness leads to a more enjoyable existence for both you and your rabbit.