Please HELP, behaviour problem

[Serenity]

I had my 2 year old lop spayed last Friday. He roams free in the house and has done since i got him in Jan this year. He has never chewed anything and always been as sweet as pie. Since I had him spayed he has started chewing things and has just ripped up and shredded a carpet. He digs all the litter out the litter tray and then attacks it till it’s comes off it’s brackets. I feel sad for him and he is obviously frustrated or unhappy. I want to help him. What should I do?

[LittlePuffyTail]

His hormones are probably running rampant since the neuter. It will take several weeks for them to calm down. Make sure to give him things to entertain himself like willow toys to chew, cardboard boxes, diggy boxes, etc. There’s really not much you can do to help his hormones. As long as he is still eating/pooping normally, it’s just something you are gonna have to wait out.

[Stickerbunny]

My male was an angel until I got him neutered, never chewed, never aggressive, never digging, etc. For 3-4 weeks after his neuter, he was a totally different bun – he even ate into my box springs of my bed one morning! After the hormones settle he should go back to normal though.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Yes Harley Was a nightmare for a couple weeks after his neuter.
Seriously, it was like he was on a mission to get ahold of any cords and to see what kind of flooring was under the carpet. It’s been one month and 2 days post neuter and he is so well behaved now it’s like a switch turned off over night. I love my neutered boy now!

[Serenity]

Thank you for your advice and encouragement. I don’t mind waiting it out but am in a rented property and have to pay for everything he destroys. If he damages anything today I will have to put him in the cage for the 8 hours I am at work and he’s used to being free so I’m really hoping he will be good today. Lucky it’s Friday and I will give him loads of TLC over the weekend.

[Violexie0071]

Ugh! Pebbles turns three months old tomorrow. She was an angel and didn’t destroy anything – I could let her run around my living space of my apartment for hours with no fear. NOW? FULL OF SASS. Just chewed up my patent leather flats. My apartment is LITTERED with her toys, Nothing but chews and cardboard box play houses and hidey burrows. I am so angry with her!!! I mean I know it’s natural, but my shoes were the one thing on the floor that was mine! I bought a shredder today so that I can make her a diggy box Friday night, I am terrified about getting her spayed and having her go through major abdominal surgery, but she will definitely be scheduled for one at the end of May when finals are over! >.>

[Serenity]

I called the vets who did the spay and they told me they have never heard of a rabbit having “behaviour” problems while their hormones settle. I called them to ask them why they didn’t warn me so I could prepare. I couldn’t believe they have never heard of it. i suggested they advise their clients that behaviour could be temporarily on the “wild” side after surgery.

[LBJ10]

I can’t believe your vet wouldn’t know that. It is pretty common knowledge among bunny owners. I don’t think I know anyone who had a bun that didn’t get the post-neuter crazies to some degree.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I`m guessing your rabbit vet doesn`t have a pet rabbit.

[Sarita]

I’ve never had a vet advise me about this either and I guess I wouldn’t expect them to tell me this. Most of that information is going to come from rabbit owners in my opinion, not vets who are more versed on health care rather than behavior issues (although many are when it comes to dogs and cats).

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