Rabbits are incredibly cute but they can also be messy little things. If you own a rabbit, you will know that they require regular cleaning and when they’re let out of the cage, a trail of little round poops is sure to follow. While it is possible to litter train rabbits, you’re always going to get a few poops around the house, and you’ll naturally want to clean these up; but can you vacuum rabbit poop?
It is possible to use a vacuum cleaner for removing rabbit poop owing to its dry nature. However, you should be mindful of the type of vacuum cleaner you are using since some of the less powerful ones may quickly become blocked and therefore, ineffective.
Owning a rabbit may turn into a full time cleaning job, but there are ways to make life easier. A good quality vacuum is a must when it comes to cleaning up after your furry friends and will be a lot less time consuming that using a dustpan and brush.
How To Choose The Right Vacuum For Rabbit Poop
If you look on the market for a vacuum cleaner, you will notice that there are many models aimed at pet owners. Typically, these are designed for allergens and hair but some of the more powerful vacuums may be adept when it comes to removing poop and other rabbit mess such as hay.
However, as you start moving down through to the less expensive models problems will follow since these vacuums are designed not for larger chunks of rabbit droppings but for smaller dust particles. It can be tempting to buy one of these but you will likely find that it doesn’t last very long.
The truth is that being a rabbit owner will likely require you to invest in a higher-priced, yet more efficient vacuum for rabbit poop. But before you go rushing off to find your new rabbit-friendly vac, there are some things you will need to keep in mind.
- The suction of the vacuum needs to be powerful enough to collect the poops from the floor and draw them into the dust cup without them blocking any of the pipes. Vacuum suction power is typically given in kPA; the higher the number, the more powerful the suction.
- You will need to consider whether you require an anti-allergy vacuum. If you find that your rabbit or its hay gives you the sneezes or sets off conditions like asthma, then you will need a vacuum with a HEPA filter. These are designed to capture allergens and keep the air in the home fresher and cleaner. However, you should make sure that the ability to suck up tiny particles doesn’t affect the vacs capabilities with larger debris like droppings.
- While rabbit droppings don’t tend to have a very strong smell, when they are left in the vacuum, they will begin to pong a little. Even their residue after the dust cup has been emptied could cause a whiff. For this reason, it is essential that you are easily able to take the vacuum apart for regular cleaning. Using a disinfectant designed to remove pet smells is one of the best ways to tackle odors and kill bacteria.
- The dust canister on your vacuum needs to be relatively big when you have rabbits; otherwise, you will find yourself emptying it far more frequently than you might like.
Tips For Cleaning Up After Your Rabbit
A mess is unavoidable when your rabbit is happily hopping around your home and it is important to allow them this exercise time. But when they return to their cage, you will need to freshen up your home. Of course, vacuuming is one of the easiest ways and when you find poops, using the vacuum hose will make light work of this type of mess.
However, even the most well-trained rabbits may have wet accidents from time to time. While rabbit poop doesn’t smell bad, their urine may be a little more potent, especially if it is left to fester. Rabbits will detect these scents around the home and this could cause them to become repeat offenders if the urine marks aren’t fully removed.
As soon as you notice a pee stain, you must address the issue immediately, leaving it will only make the problem worse. Using normal soap and warm water likely won’t be enough to rid the carpet of the smell so you will need to use something a little stronger.
A mixture of equal parts water and vinegar should be your first port of call. Spray this mixture onto the affected area and then top it off with a good layer of baking soda. This combination will cause a fizzing effect that is excellent at removing odors; but remember to give the solution time to work. Around 30 minutes should be sufficient.
After this time, you can vacuum up any baking soda and dry the area with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. In more severe cases, you may also need to treat the area with hydrogen peroxide to completely get rid of any unpleasant smells.
When you are cleaning areas that your rabbit frequents, it is important to use pet-friendly cleaning products. If you must use anything that could be dangerous to your rabbit, it is vital to prevent your rabbit from going into the area until all traces have been removed.
Are Rabbits Afraid Of Vacuums?
When you first bring your bunny home, you will notice that he flinches at every little noise. Even your sudden presence, no matter how slowly you approach, could be enough to send him scurrying back into his rabbit house. This is completely normal; rabbits are prey animals and have an instinct to run from potential danger.
The noises around a human home will be alien to your pet and it will take time for him to get used to these. One of the most terrifying sounds for a rabbit is a vacuum cleaner. The loud noise of these appliances will almost certainly startle your rabbit the first few times that you use it.
However, over time, your rabbit will become used to the sound and will realize that it is not something that is going to harm him. But this may take a little time.
Can You Vacuum Around A Rabbit?
You can vacuum around your rabbit, although it may take some time for him to become used to this. You probably won’t want to start vacuuming the moment you bring your rabbit home, it is best to leave him to settle for the first 24 hours with as little stress as possible.
However, your day to day activities will need to resume and part of welcoming your pet into your home is teaching him that things that seem scary, aren’t so bad. If you can, it can be helpful to have one person sit with the rabbit, playing with him and petting him; giving him reassurance while the other person vacuums in the next room.
Provided that the person who is with the rabbit doesn’t react in any way, your pet will soon begin to learn that the vacuum is not a threat. It won’t be long before he’s hopping alongside you as you clean. However, if you must vacuum while your rabbit is out of the cage, it goes without saying that you should be careful.
