The best way to remove rabbit urine smell is to start by removing the source of the odor. You can do this by cleaning up urine messes and using a strong deodorizer or air freshener. You can also use baking soda, but never directly in your rabbit’s cage.
Anyone who has owned a rabbit knows they have a distinct smell. This is due to the high levels of uric acid in their urine. While rabbits are clean animals and will groom themselves, their urine can still leave behind an unpleasant odor.
If you’re struggling to get rid of the rabbit urine smell, we will share some simple tips that are easy to implement and actually work. Be sure to give them all a try and see which one works best for you.
What You'll Learn
Rabbit Urine Has a Very Potent Smell
If you own a rabbit, you know how bad their urine can smell. Especially if you keep the rabbit indoors!
But why does rabbit urine smell so bad?
The main reason is that rabbit urine contains high levels of uric acid. Uric acid is a compound found in all mammals, but rabbits have higher levels than most other animals.
This high level of uric acid makes rabbit urine very acidic. And when urine is left to dry, the uric acid crystals can become airborne and cause that unforgettable smell.
How to Remove the Smell of Rabbit Urine
While you may not be able to completely remove the rabbit urine smell while the rabbit is still around (because rabbits will continue to go potty), there are a few things you can do to significantly reduce the potent odor.
Let’s start with the most basic one, opening the windows.
Open The Windows
This may seem like an obvious solution, but it’s worth mentioning. If you can, open up the windows in the room where the rabbit cage is located. This will help ventilate the area and eliminate some of the stink.
If it’s cold outside or you don’t want to open the windows for some other reason, you can also use an air ionizer.
Air Ionizers
An air ionizer is a device that emits negative ions into the air. These negative ions attach to the positively charged particles of rabbit urine and other odors, neutralizing them.
There are many different types and brands of air ionizers on the market, so be sure to do your research and find one that’s right for you.
Non-Diluted Vinegar Method
Vinegar is a popular household cleaning product because it’s so versatile. It can be used to clean all sorts of things, including rabbit urine smells.
To use vinegar to remove the odor of rabbit urine, simply soak up the urine with a cloth or paper towel. Once the area is dry, pour a small amount of vinegar onto the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove the vinegar.
Baking Soda
Another popular household product that can be used to remove rabbit urine smells is baking soda. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that will absorb rabbit urine’s odors.
To use baking soda, sprinkle it on the affected area and let it sit for a few hours. After a few hours, vacuum up the baking soda.
Coffee Grounds
You may not think of coffee grounds as a cleaning product, but they can effectively remove odors. This is because coffee grounds are highly absorbent.
To use coffee grounds to remove rabbit urine smells, simply sprinkle them on the affected area and let them sit for a few hours. After a few hours, vacuum up the coffee grounds.
Temporarily Masking the Smell of Rabbit Urine
There are also a few things you can do to temporarily mask the smell of rabbit urine. These methods won’t remove the odor but will make it less noticeable.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a popular way to mask odors because they have a strong scent. There are many different essential oils to choose from, so you can find one that you like the smell of.
To use essential oils to mask the smell of rabbit urine, add a few drops to a diffuser and turn it on. The essential oil will help to mask the odor of the rabbit’s urine.
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are another popular way to mask odors. Air fresheners come in all sorts of different scents, so you can find one that you like.
To use an air freshener to mask the smell of rabbit urine, simply spray it in the area where the rabbit cage is located. Make sure you don’t directly spray your rabbit. It’s also best if the rabbit is not in the cage during the time of spraying.
Reducing The Smell of Rabbit Urine Going Forward
There are also a few things you can do to reduce the smell of rabbit urine going forward. Again, these methods won’t completely eliminate the odor, but they will help to keep it under control.
Place The Cage in a Well Ventilated Room
One of the best things you can do to reduce the smell of rabbit urine is to place the cage in a well-ventilated room. This will help to keep the air moving and prevent the urine odor from getting too concentrated.
Spot Clean Cage Daily
Another good way to reduce the smell of rabbit urine is to spot-clean the cage daily. This means removing any waste and cleaning up any urine that has been missed.
Litter Box Train Your Rabbit
One of the best ways to reduce the smell of rabbit urine is to litter box train your rabbit. This will help to keep the urine in one place, making it easier to clean up.
Choose The Proper Bedding
The bedding you use can also make a big difference in the amount of odor produced. Many different types of bedding are available, so be sure to do your research and find one that works best for you.
Spay or Neuter Your Rabbit
Finally, spaying or neutering your rabbit will also help reduce the number of times rabbits spray. This is because rabbits mark their territory with urine, so by spaying or neutering your rabbit, you will help to reduce the amount of marking that is done.
DO NOT Put Baking Soda In Your Rabbits Cage
As previously mentioned, baking soda is a popular household product that can be used to remove odors. Many people leave baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odor from food that’s gone rotten. However, you should never put baking soda in your rabbit’s cage.
This is because rabbits are inquisitive creatures and will likely ingest the baking soda if it’s left in their cage. Baking soda can be very dangerous for rabbits if ingested, so only use it outside their cage.
Which Method is Best For You?
Rabbit urine has a very potent smell that can be hard to remove. However, you can do a few things to reduce the odor. These include placing the cage in a well-ventilated room, spot-cleaning the cage daily, litter box training your rabbit, and choosing the proper bedding. You should also consider spaying or neutering your rabbit to help reduce the amount of urine produced. Remember, you likely won’t be able to completely eliminate the odor, but you can significantly reduce it and even mask it when you have guests over.