A tan pet rabbit sits in a sunlit window next to some houseplants

Tips on Eliminating Rabbit Odors

Your rabbit is a member of your family. While you may love their spunky personality, floppy ears, and wiggly nose, the odors she causes are likely much less endearing. From the smelly cage to the lingering scent of urine on the carpet, the stink that comes with being a rabbit fur parent can be very unpleasant. The good news is you can keep your bunny and say goodbye to those unwanted odors. Read on for rabbit cage odor control tips and to find out how to get rabbit pee out of the carpet.

How to Get Rid of Bad Rabbit Cage Smells

A rabbit cage can make the bedroom, basement, family room, den and other areas of your home stink. These tips will teach you how to keep a rabbit cage from smelling and how to make a rabbit cage smell good going forward.

Change Litter Frequently

When litter sits too long, foul odors are sure to develop. How often you should change litter depends on the type. Shredded newspaper usually needs replacing every two or three days. Paper pulp and wood fiber pellets should normally be replaced every three to four days. Set a reminder on your phone so that you don’t forget the replacement day.

Switch to Odor-Fighting Litter

Some rabbit litter products are made from odor-fighting materials like bamboo and food-grade paper. Switching from newspaper and conventional pellets to one of these products may mean that you change litter less frequently.

Do Minor Cleaning Daily

Doing the following every day can help cut down on rabbit cage odors:

  • Remove uneaten food whenever you give your rabbit new food. Food that sits can begin to spoil and release volatile organic compounds that cause odors.
  • Rinse out food bowls to remove lingering residue.
  • Use a bottle brush to clean out the water bottle each time that you fill it.
  • Deal with any urine outside the litter box or spilled water.

Disinfect the Cage Weekly

Once every week, let your rabbit roam while you give their cage a deep cleaning. Remove everything from it and wipe it down with a solution of one part bleach and 10 parts water. Allow the solution to rest for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly to ensure that you don’t leave any residue behind. Never use chemical cleaning products on a wood cage, as the wood can absorb toxins that could make your rabbit sick.

Make Sure the Cage is the Right Size for Your Rabbit

Rabbits need plenty of space to move around and benefit from having more room. From a rabbit odor control standpoint, a larger cage is better, too, because the increased size allows for more airflow. The general rule of thumb is that a rabbit’s cage should be at least six times as long as they are. If you’re having trouble finding one that’s right for your bunny, consider building your own using wire storage cubes and zip ties.

Replace and Clean Toys and Hiding Places Frequently

Rabbits love to hide in cardboard boxes and tubes, but these items can absorb odors over time. When you’re doing daily cleaning, give them a sniff and remove them when they start to smell foul. You should replace cardboard hiding places immediately if your rabbit urinates inside. Any reusable toys in the cage should be rinsed and dried thoroughly at least once every week.

Use Rabbit Odor Control Products

Pet-safe odor neutralizers can combat rabbit odors continuously. In any room of your home, you can place a Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Gel near the cage to absorb odor-causing compounds for 30 to 60 days. If there’s wall space near the cage, Fresh Wave Pods are another solution. With double-sided tape, you can mount a pod nearby. Add a Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Pack to neutralize rabbit odors for 30 to 60 days. Then, replace the old pack with a fresh one to continue freshening the room.

How to Get Rabbit Pee Out of Carpet

Letting your rabbit explore your house can be fun for everyone, but when he does his business on a rug or the carpeting, the smell left behind can be hard to contend with. Often that scent lingers long after you’ve mopped up any liquid, but this procedure for how to get rabbit pee out of carpeting can eliminate the smell for good:

  1. Make a solution of white vinegar and water.
  2. Pour the solution onto the affected area or use a rag to dab it on.
  3. Allow the carpet or rug to sit for 2 to 5 minutes to allow the acids in the vinegar to break down the alkaline rabbit pee stain.
  4. Place a clean dry rag over the wet area.
  5. Press down as hard as you can to absorb liquid.
  6. Repeat with additional rags as needed.
  7. Check to see if you can still detect any lingering smells. If so, repeat steps two through six.
  8. Use Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Spray to neutralize any lingering smells. Spray your carpet or rug regularly to maintain that clean scent.

Final Thoughts on Rabbit Odor Removal

Whether you’re following instructions on how to get rabbit pee out of carpet or using a rabbit odor neutralizer to freshen up the cage, knowing what’s in the cleaning products you choose is of the utmost importance. After all, you want to ensure that whatever you use for rabbit cage odor control and carpet cleaning is safe for your pet and the rest of your family. Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Spray, Pods, and Gels are powered by plant-based ingredients and free of harmful chemicals, so you can use them with confidence to get your bedroom, basement, family room, and other spaces smelling great.