Rabbits are some of the cutest and cuddliest pets to own, and they’re fairly clean as well. They can be litter-trained just like cats can, reducing their messes and allowing many rabbit owners to let their pets run freely around the house.
But, even if your rabbit is trained to use the litter box, accidents can happen, many of which you may not find until later. Or maybe you have other pets and can’t give your rabbit a free run of the house. In either case, their urine can leave a stain behind.
Whether cleaning up dried rabbit urine from your home or your bunny’s cage, here are some tips for removing rabbit urine stains and cleaning up their dried urine.
Important note: Always keep your rabbit away from the area during and shortly after cleaning, especially when using vinegar or enzymatic cleaners.
Before You Begin
Before you begin, you should know that rabbit urine can be cleaned up from any surface using a solution of white vinegar and water. To make the solution, combine one cup of water and one cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. This concentration should be enough to clean up most rabbit urine stains, but you can always add more vinegar if you need the solution to be stronger.
In addition to a vinegar solution, and depending on the type of surface that is stained, you may also need:
The methods for cleaning rabbit urine from different surfaces vary. So, we’re going to break it down into different surface types so that you can make sure the stain is cleaned effectively. We’ll also explain which materials you might need under each surface.
Image Credit: KanphotoSS, Shutterstock
4 Ideas & Tips on How to Clean Up Dried Rabbit Urine
1. Plastic Rabbit Cages/Litter Boxes
Image Credit: KanphotoSS, Shutterstock
Materials Needed
White vinegar (undiluted)
Scrub brush
Disclaimer: Before we get into this method, you should know that it works best for rabbit cages made from plastic. If you keep your rabbit in a wooden cage, use the method recommended for wood below. You will also need a temporary place for your rabbit to stay.
Cleaning rabbit urine on plastic surfaces requires a bit of elbow grease because the urine builds up on plastic surfaces and leaves behind urine deposits. The good news is that urine is less likely to leave a permanent stain on plastic surfaces.
Use Full-Strength Vinegar
Start with undiluted white vinegar before switching to the spray you created. Undiluted white vinegar is a more powerful cleaning agent. After cleaning out your rabbit’s cage or litter, pour the undiluted white vinegar directly into the bottom and let it sit for a few minutes. After letting the vinegar sit, use a scrubbing brush to scrub the stains, then pour the vinegar out. Repeat the process as necessary until the stains are gone. Ensure you do this in a well-ventilated area, rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry before returning your rabbit.
2. Wood/Hardwood Floors
Materials Needed
Vinegar solution
Baking soda
Cloth
Cleaning dried rabbit urine from wood surfaces or hardwood floors may come with special challenges, especially if the stains are large or have been there a while and the wood is varnished, stained, or painted. The reason is that rabbit urine is high in ammonia, which can remove varnishes and paints. The liquid urine can also warp, damage, or rot the wood.
However, large urine stains that have caused damage may require the wood to be replaced or the floor to be refinished. Sometimes, you may not notice the damage until you clean up the urine.
Smaller stains don’t cause as much damage, especially if they haven’t been there long. However, you’ll still need to clean them to prevent them from causing damage over time. Keep this in mind if you are using a rabbit cage with a wooden floor.
Spray With Vinegar/Water Solution
To remove the urine from the wood, spray the stained area with vinegar and water. Let the vinegar sit on the stain for 5-10 minutes, then wipe it up with a cloth or paper towel. Repeat a few more times if necessary.
3. Fabric/Carpet/Upholstery
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Materials Needed
Enzymatic cleaner
Vinegar solution
Cloth
Baking soda
Dried rabbit urine stains are easy to remove from fabrics and upholstery, but the issue here will be getting the odor out. Even if you remove the stain, the odor can remain behind and encourage your rabbit to continue peeing in that area.
4. Enzymatic Cleaner
You’ll first need to spray the stained area with an enzymatic cleaner, particularly one designed for pet urine. These cleaners contain ingredients that break down the stain and odor and discourage re-marking.
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Spray With Vinegar Solution
Let the enzymatic cleaner sit for the time suggested on the packaging, usually between 5 and 15 minutes. Then, spray the vinegar spray on the stain to further help break down the stain and odor. Let the vinegar sit on the stain for 5 to 10 minutes.
Sprinkle Baking Soda
Your next step depends on whether the fabric surface is washable or not. For surfaces that can’t be washed, such as carpets and most upholstery, you’ll need to use a cloth to blot up the vinegar. This will help the area dry faster. If the stain and odor persist, sprinkle baking soda on the areas to help absorb the odor. Let the baking soda sit for 10 minutes, then repeat the vinegar part of the process.
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How to Keep Your Rabbit from Peeing on Everything
If you keep your rabbit in a cage, you don’t have to worry about them peeing on everything. But if you let your rabbit roam around the house freely, you’ll want to ensure they’re not peeing on whatever they can find. There are several ways to do this.
Spraying or Peeing?
Sometimes, rabbits are spraying rather than peeing. They usually do this to mark their territory, and it is more common in male and female rabbits that aren’t neutered and spayed. As you can probably guess, the solution to this problem is to spay or neuter your rabbit to reduce or eliminate the spraying behavior.
Image Credit: Pcnok, Shutterstock
Pee Pads
Another thing you can do is use puppy pee pads, especially if your rabbit is peeing on your hardwood floors. Place them where your rabbit has peed before, especially if it’s somewhere they use a lot. That way, you only have to change or clean the pee pad instead of the whole floor. Make sure you don’t leave used pee pads too long on the floor as it could cause damage. Alternatively, you could place a waterproof mat underneath the pee pads for extra protection.
Litter-Train Your Rabbit
Finally, you can litter train your rabbit, even if they live in a cage instead of inside your home. Again, this is most effective if the rabbit is spayed or neutered. However, you’ll want to keep your rabbit confined to a small space until they learn to use the box. Once the box is used consistently, confine the rabbit to a larger space, such as one room.
As long as your bunny uses the litter box consistently, you can increase the space. Make sure to clean the box regularly and provide multiple boxes if the rabbit can access the whole house.
Final Thoughts
Unless your rabbit is litter-trained, they’re likely to pee wherever, especially if they’re allowed to roam the house freely. Most of the stains can be cleaned with vinegar, but the exact cleaning methods differ depending on the type of surface. Once the stains are cleaned, take proactive steps to prevent your rabbit from peeing on everything. That way, you can enjoy their cuteness without having to clean up any unpleasant messes.
Savanna is a former science teacher who is now a full-time freelance writer. She is currently living in the United States with her husband and daughter. Other members of her family include a long-haired Chihuahua named Penny, three cats (Bubba, Kittylina, and Thunder), and an aquatic turtle named Creek. In addition to writing, her passions include gardening, traveling, and protecting our wildlife and natural resources.
