Investing in the one of the best rabbit litter boxes you can find for your fur friend is a good idea as it provides a specific area for toileting. In the wild, rabbits typically use particular areas in their warren and territory in order to keep their environment clean while ensuring there are fewer traces for predators to find.
Shopping for the best litter boxes and best litter for rabbits is not the most glamorous part of pet ownership, but getting it right will make day-to-day life (especially cleaning) easier and more pleasant all round.
Training your rabbit to use a litter box is a good idea for most rabbit owners, explains Dr MacMillan.
“It makes cleaning out a rabbit’s cage or enclosure much easier, as most of their toileting is done in one place. If your rabbit is an indoor bunny then it also makes them a much more hygienic pet, reducing the risk of urinary accidents and fecal pellets around your home.
“Litter box training is usually straightforward, and most rabbits will be using their new litter box regularly within a few weeks."
Just like the choice of indoor rabbit hutches, many litter boxes marketed for rabbits are too small, so some of the smaller and more simple cat litter trays do an excellent job. Whatever style you're looking for, this collection of top-notch rabbit litter boxes will help you make the right choice for you and your bunny.
Best rabbit litter boxes 2024
Best overall rabbit litter box
If you feel dread at the thought of newspaper and hay everywhere, then the Frisco High-Sided Small Pet Litter Box offers a great quality, high-sided litter box that contains the mess inside. There's plenty of room for smaller rabbits here, but if your bunny is larger than 5lbs, be sure to take note of the size measurements before purchase.
While the product's large walls may look a bit intimidating for your bunny to access, it does have a large rounded opening that's easy for your rabbit to hop into.
Reasons to buy: Great size for rabbits, deep pan contains mess and easy to clean
Reasons to avoid: Can't be connected to a cage
Best budget litter box
For under $10, you're unlikely to find a better cheap litter box option. It’s branded as a cat litter box, but is definitely suitable for a rabbit. It has a low front and high back so your rabbit can hop in and out easily, but won't be able to kick their litter everywhere.
This will take up too much space in most traditional cages, but if you rabbit roams freely around the house or has a large enclosure, it will be a good choice.
Reasons to buy: High back and low front, and easy to clean
Reasons to avoid: If you have a really small bunny
Best space-saving rabbit litter box
If you want a simple, no-nonsense litter box that will easily sit in the corner of your bunny's cage, then this uncomplicated but functional design could be just what you are looking for.
Specially designed for rabbits and small pets, it suits most rabbit breeds apart from the largest rabbits. The triangular shape of the litter box means it will fit neatly into any corner of the cage, which will help it stay in position without the need for any fixing or securing so it’s quick and easy to lift out of the cage when it needs cleaning.
Reasons to buy: Easy to empty and clean
Reasons to avoid: Not suitable for large rabbits
Best large rabbit litter box
Have you got a big rabbit? Then you will need a large litter box to make sure that your rabbit can comfortably do their business without any hassle. That's exactly what you get with this roomy rabbit litter box.
In keeping with the bigger size, the litter box has a 3.5-inch deep bowl that is covered with a sturdy perforated plastic tray. Lift up the tray and simply take out the pad and toss it in the bin, replace it with a new one and slip the tray back into place and you are ready to go again. You get ten pads with purchase of the tray – although it can be used with litter once you’ve finished these.
Reasons to buy: Large size with removable tray, and includes 10 pet training pads
Reasons to avoid: If you have a small rabbit
Best stainless steel rabbit litter box
Say goodbye to plastic litter boxes and say hello to stainless steel. By the nature of its makeup, stainless steel has a smooth surface, won’t stain, and is non-stick. Any litter that you put in the bottom of the tray will simply slide off even when covered in rabbit mess. This makes it nice and easy to clean with a quick rinse, or it can be put in a dishwasher to give a germ-free clean.
It is easier for large rabbits, but the lack of a low side means there is no easy access for any size rabbit. Plus, you will also need a decent size cage to keep it in even if you choose the smaller size.
Reasons to buy: Environmentally friendly and scratch-resistant material
Reasons to avoid: No good for small cages
How to choose the best rabbit litter box
Size and height
The most important factor when considering a litter box is size. It will need to be at least big enough for your rabbit to sit on and do their business. If you have a large breed rabbit, a small litter box may be fine when they are young but as they grow they will need a larger litter box.
Dr MacMillan says: “You need to make sure it is large enough for your rabbit to turn around and position themselves comfortably. Most rabbits also like to eat in their trays, so space for a small pile of hay is recommended too.
"High sides on the rest of the box can be advantageous as many rabbits lift their bottoms and tails up to urinate, so this could result in urine accidents over the edge of the box if all the sides are very low," says Dr MacMillan. "Your chosen litter tray should be easy to clean and durable."
Some litter boxes have an elevated wire shelf which allows the droppings and urine to collect with no risk of spreading them around your home. If you have a large rabbit, you could try a sturdy, high-sided stainless steel litter box to stay as mess-free as possible.
Fit and access
It may seem obvious, but you will need a litter box that fits comfortably inside your rabbit's enclosure.
"You also need to make sure that your rabbit can easily hop into the tray. This means choosing a tray that has at least one low side, especially if your rabbit is small, elderly, or has mobility issues," said MacMillan.
Easy to clean
Litter boxes will get a lot of use, so need to be cleaned regularly. Consider how easy it is to get out of the enclosure, whether the litter will stick to the tray or if it be put in a dishwasher if needed.
What to put in a rabbit litter box
Be sure to fill your litter box with an absorbent material. There’s lots of choice and some materials are more absorbent than others, while others are great for odor control. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best litter for rabbits.
Rebecca is a vet surgeon who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
