Can You Vacuum Rabbit Poop? (All You Need To Know)

Rabbits are very adorable creatures and can become great pets. However, they could also become messy regarding their droppings and fur. An average rabbit can poop around 200 to 300 pellets per day, which is normal and may require regular cleaning to maintain a hygienic environment. So, the question is can you vacuum rabbit poop? How do they react to vacuum cleaners? What are the best vacuum cleaners for rabbit droppings, hay, or cage bedding? Let’s find out all in this article.

Vacuum cleaners are best for cleaning rabbit poop once it becomes dry. However, while vacuuming your pet’s poop, avoid catching cage bedding and hay strands, as they could block the vacuum tube. Instead, consider buying a handheld vacuum cleaner that catches small-sized materials like rabbit poop.

This article will discuss how to use a vacuum for rabbit droppings, things to consider while buying a vacuum cleaner, why do rabbits scared of vacuums, and many more. So, let’s get into it.

Can I vacuum my rabbit poop?

Using a vacuum for your rabbit’s droppings is an easy and effective way to clean them once dry. 

However, you must ensure that while vacuuming your rabbit’s poop, you do not catch cage bedding and hay.

Instead, you can use a dustbuster, which is a handheld vacuum cleaner used for sucking small-sized materials like cereals or oats and can be used for rabbits’ droppings.

In addition, the long hay strands could get stuck in the vacuum tube, which develops clogs.

Similarly, every rabbit is different. Some may not get scared by the noise of a vacuum, but others may find it terrifying.

Due to this, if you find your rabbit looking scared by making big eyes and running to hide because of vacuum noise, you may need to stop the cleaning process around them.

It would take some time for your rabbit to be familiar with the sound, but it is essential to avoid it in front of your rabbit for the first few days by keeping it in a separate room when cleaning its cage.

However, if your rabbit likes to come near the vacuum or wants to explore it, it is not a cause for concern.

Another thing to note is it is essential to find the best vacuum for your rabbit, which you can choose according to your preferences and concerns.

Many vacuum models are designed to clean your pet’s hair and allergens in the market. 

Similarly, more powerful vacuums are available to clean your pet’s droppings.

So, choosing the best vacuum for your rabbit according to your concern is essential.

Also read: Are Air Purifiers Safe For Rabbits?

How do rabbits react to vacuum cleaners?

Every rabbit has a different personalities and temperament.

Some can become terrified by the noise of hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, or phones, while others may like to explore them.

If you’re unsure of how your pet bunny rabbit will respond when it is scared, watch out for these signs:

• Become motionless
• Run away to hide or escape from the area
• Change in a litter box routine
• Show more aggression
• Change in appetite
• Begin stomping their back feet

There could be two types of rabbit personalities, and they may react differently toward the vacuum cleaner. 

For example, some rabbits are scared of vacuum cleaners and run around to hide somewhere, while others like to investigate or get excited to explore.

So, some rabbits may become uncomfortable due to the vacuum sound or movement, and afterward, when they become familiar, they may ignore it.

Why is my rabbit scared of a vacuum?

Some vacuums are very powerful, due to which your rabbit becomes scared.

In addition, some vacuums have too much pressure and power and can startle your rabbit, while others lack the sufficient force to remove all the hay and feces.

Some rabbits could be scared of vacuum cleaners for reasons like temperament, lack of exposure, herding intuition, or bad associations from the past.

A rabbit feels uncomfortable, afraid, or completely freaked out by this large object’s movement, sound, and entrance into its territory.

In addition, most rabbits can be frightened by loud noises, including vacuum cleaners, since they tend to be very sensitive to their environment, especially when it comes to sudden noises or sounds.

Rabbits are prey animals, and they have many ways to sense its predator, and sudden loud noise is a sign of danger for them.

They can move fast to avoid attacks and have developed keen hearing abilities. 

In addition, they can become nervous and susceptible to fear.

So, to avoid scaring your rabbit and cleaning the environment, it could be done by buying a vacuum with less noise or just separating your rabbit into another room or playpen while cleaning its cage or area. 

You can also converse with them to make the rabbit aware that you are present and not all alone.

Also, whenever you’re done cleaning, verbally compliment your rabbit and give them the treat to link the cleaning process to a good note.

Also read: How To Clean Rabbit Urine Stains?

How to clean my rabbit area with a vacuum cleaner?

One of the simplest methods is vacuuming, and when it comes to rabbit droppings, utilizing the vacuum cleaner hose will make quick work of this kind of mess once it becomes dry.

However, most commercial and domestic vacuums are not designed to remove whole hay strands from the floor. 

The best technique to clean the floor is to pick up most of the hay and feces with a broom and your hands and then use the vacuum to remove the remaining fluff and dust.

Instead, some owners use shop vacuums because they can quickly suck up hay strands and dirt. 

But, because of the loud sounds of these vacuums, it is probably best to take the bunnies to a different room before using the vacuum to prevent excessively startling them.

When hay gets stuck in the vacuum tubing, snake-draining clog tools are excellent for removing the excess hay from tricky corners.

Also read: My Rabbit Has a Yellow Stain.

Best vacuum for my rabbit dropping, litter, or hay?

Before buying any vacuum, it is crucial to consider aspects like power, efficiency, portability, bag size, ease of cleaning, presence of a HEPA filter, and convenience when selecting a vacuum to remove rabbit droppings, hay, urine, and stains.

Due to their superior suction power and frequent inclusion of HEPA filters to catch allergens, high-end professional household vacuums often perform better for owners than regular models.

So, here are some best vacuum cleaners you can buy from amazon for rabbit droppings, cage bedding, or hay:

1) Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum:

This vacuum is among the best for cleaning up rabbit droppings. 

It has a robust, high-efficiency motor specially created to produce strong suction on all floors.

The machine incorporates an anti-allergen seal and a filter with active carbon filtering to shield your environment from pollen, dust, and fur. 

In addition, it has a strong suction power that collects various pet hair and debris.

2) EyeVac Home Touchless Stationary Vacuum:

Due to its strong HEPA exhaust filter, twin filtering filters, and motion detectors, it is an excellent vacuum for cleaning the droppings of a rabbit and its cage bedding or hay.

For families with children with allergies or asthma, the double filtration filters that clean the air of dust mites, pollen, dust, smoke, and mold are excellent.

This vacuum is lightweight, works well on floors made of up hardwood, is excellent for cleaning the particles in the air, is pet friendly, and many more.

3) Shark NV356E 31 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum:

Due to its 2.2-quart dust cup capacity, anti-allergen complete seal technology, 77dB maximum noise level, swivel steering capabilities, and detachable pod for difficult-to-reach regions, this vacuum is excellent for cleaning rabbit feces and hay.

The detachable pod gives you greater reach when needed, and the swivel steering makes it easier to move over furniture and other obstructions.

The large dust cup makes it possible to clean up easily without emptying it, and the HEPA filtration system ensures no dust exits.

4) BLACK+DECKER Furbuster Handheld Vacuum:

It offers quick, simple, and deep cleaning. It removes dirt from areas with heavy foot traffic to keep your home allergens-free and clean.

This cleaner offers improved filters and a tropical cyclone cleaning system using the most recent cordless technology. 

In addition, it can be quickly folded, kept in your closet, and weighs only 4 lbs.

You can clean up challenging areas like behind furniture and along walls with its strong motor and extra-long hose.

5) Vacmaster VBV1210 Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum:

It is made to quickly clean up various messes and address all your vacuuming issues, which is the best rabbit poop.

This vacuum will increase your working efficiency and cut down on cleanup time. 

In addition, it is a lightweight, strong, high-performance wet/dry shop vacuum.

6) Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum:

Due to its cordlessness and ability to clean hard-to-reach locations, this vacuum is ideal for cleaning up rabbit poop.

It has a motorized brush for cleaning your pet’s fur, an upholstery tool for cleaning soft furnishings and floors, and a crevice tool for cleaning difficult-to-reach places, particularly in small spaces. 

In addition, the air quality is improved by triple-level filtration, which is the best feature.

Also read: Why Is My Rabbit Lying In Its Litter Box?

How often should I clean the cage of my rabbit?

It would be best if you cleaned your rabbit’s droppings daily to keep their environment clean and hygienic. 

In addition, for younger rabbits who poop in smaller chunks more frequently during the day, you may need to clean up even more regularly.

Also, rabbits poop daily around a hundred times.  

So you can use a broom and dustpan, a vacuum cleaner, or your hand while wearing gloves to clean rabbit waste daily. 

However, a complete enclosure cleaning should be done every three to seven days, depending on the cage size and how well the rabbit is litter trained.

Also read: How To Train a Rabbit?

Conclusion:

1. Using a vacuum for your rabbit’s droppings is an easy and effective way to clean them once dry. 
2. However, you must ensure that while vacuuming your rabbit’s poop, you do not catch cage bedding and hay.
3. The long hay strands could get stuck in the vacuum tube, which develops clogs.
4. Some can become terrified by the noise of hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, or phones, while others may like to explore them.
5. It would be best if you cleaned your rabbit’s droppings daily to keep their environment clean and hygienic. 

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Reference: NCBI