Rabbits are happier in the house than in a hutch. Q: When I grew up, we had rabbits outside in a hutch. After doing some research, we gave in to our daughter’s request for a pet rabbit, who lives in her bedroom, mostly inside a roomy cage but also loose in her room when she’s in there. There’s a box in the cage, but we’ve read that our cat’s litter isn’t right. Why can’t we just buy in bulk for the cat and use the same litter for both pets? Does it really matter? — K.I., via e-mail.

A: Yes, it does. Your rabbit needs to have his box filled with wood or pressed paper pellets, and covered with fresh grass hay. Clumping litter puts your rabbits at risk of impaction — a block of their gastrointestinal tract. As for the hay, your rabbits know what’s edible and what’s not, and will eat the hay, not the litter.

Putting a layer of high-quality hay — not straw — on top of the pelleted paper litter encourages rabbits to use the box, since they tend to pass feces while eating. (I think of eating hay while “on the john” as the rabbit equivalent of reading while in the bathroom.)

Like many animals, rabbits naturally want to keep their area clean and will use a litter box if it’s attractive and accessible. Make sure the box is large enough to be comfortable and the sides are low enough for easy entry. Keep it filled with clean pellets and fresh hay, supplemented by a special food treat like an apple slice, and your rabbits will use it likely as not.

Dropping feces while away from the box is normal for some rabbits, but fortunately cleanup is easy with a hand vac. Remember, too, that rabbits who are not neutered will be very difficult to house-train.

Rabbits are indeed wonderful house pets, as you’re no doubt finding out. But be sure any area where bunny roams is rabbit proofed and that your bun is watched while out. Put electric cords in rabbit-proof hoses, wrap wooden furniture legs to discourage chewing and offer lots of toys — freebies such as cardboard boxes, broken baskets filled with hay and toilet or paper towel rolls are great. — Gina Spadafori