Giving Up on My Bun?

[NewBunnyMom4Lola]

I received a new bun, Lola, as a Christmas gift from my boyfriend (who does not live with me/does not help with the bun/decided to get her even though I told him I was not ready for a bun). The first month went well, but lately, she’s become impossible to deal with!

I’ve tried reading endless articles on keeping a bunny happy, I’ve blocked off my kitchen with her cage (left the door open) and proofed wooden areas so that she can have a little room to run when I’m on the go. I’ve tried following instructions of articles to train and bond with her. Plus, I try to devote as much time as I can when I’m at home to bond with her, regardless of how exhausted I am.

With me having to move in two weeks, it’s been a struggle as is with finding a place that will accept my bun in the new apartment. In addition to this, her attitude went from sociable to that of a teenager. Last weekend, I tried to clean her cage with her in it, as I’ve always done, but this time, she decided to attack me out of the blue! I can no longer feed her or provide any maintenance for her or her cage without her thumping at me constantly and with my workload, I’m over it. I can’t even clean my home with her showing disgust or thumping all over the place. I don’t know what to do at this point! 

I’ve seriously considered taking her to a vet for a checkup, but with her mannerisms, I doubt this is possible. I’ve even looked into having her spayed. I was informed by a local vet (specializes in bunny care) that the bunny exam was $55 and they have a low cost spay operation for $130. I want to have these things done for her in order to keep her in optimal health, but with the way that she’s been acting for the past few weeks, I’m starting to wonder if she’s even worth the cost.

That last statement may not sit well with many of you, but I’ve spent weeks (under massive stress due to work) trying hard to do my best with my bun, but she makes me feel as if nothing that I could ever do for her will ever be good enough for her to lose her attitude and learn to trust me. I’ve provided ample toys, food, specialty items as it is, but she seems to not care about any of that or me. I’m in limbo over whether or not it is worth it to keep trying or if I should stop while I’m ahead and surrender her to a shelter for “re-homing”.

Please help! I’m trying my best with her, but my best isn’t proving to be good enough. 

[balakai]

She sounds like a teenage bunny acting up due to hormones. How old is she?

~Kristin

[LBJ10]

It sounds like bunny puberty is here. Her behavior is completely normal for a hormone-crazed rabbit. Spaying would definitely help. Yes, spaying is important for their health in the long term, but it also puts a stop to hormone-driven behavior. Honestly, $130 is pretty cheap for a spay. I think it would definitely be worth the investment.

[Stickerbunny]

She’s hormonal, that happens in bunnies as they age. Spaying will remove the hormones (after a 4 week healing period) and make her more manageable. Females in particular get very aggressive due to their hormones, especially when it comes to territory. There is not really any training an unspayed, hormonal doe. A sweet baby will turn into a crazy monster very quickly once they hit puberty. They can’t help it.

So, take a breath, calm down. You can cage her when you’re cleaning, it won’t hurt her. Use food to lure her into it, pellets usually work, or fruit. If you need to confine her a bit more until you can get her spayed, you could use a x-pen / cage set up. Many people confine their bunnies a bit during training or hormonal episodes. As long as she has some room to run around (what the x-pen is for), it won’t hurt her.

Many of us have had to deal with a hormonal teen bunny. It sucks. We get the frustration. I lost a room full of carpet over night to mine! And she would run up and grunt and bite me. The brat. And omg the thumping… like I was a predator trying to eat her every time I walked near her. They get better though, it’s just a phase.

If you decide to rehome her, try to find a shelter that doesn’t euthanize small animals.

[Kbana]

Hi there,
I understand completely what you are going through as mine is in the same stage. However, many, if not all, the behaviors you are describing will stop after a few weeks of her spay. These behaviors are simply hormonal (which doesn’t in any way make them easier to deal with, believe me! ) I am just telling you this to let you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If she is at least 6 months old she will be able to be spayed. The costs you are describing are also on the lower end of the range so that is great! ( I know it is still a lot of money)
In terms of being “worth it” that is something only you can decide. All we can tell you is that these behaviors will most likely improve if not completely cease to exist once her hormones die down from the spay. In my eyes, that is worth the money so I can have a bun that is more sociable and easier to take care of. Your decision is yours though and we respect the fact that buns are not always the perfect pet for everyone. I hope you find some piece of mind in knowing that you are doing everything (short of spaying) that you can for her. No matter what you do after this point, without the spay, her behaviors will continue. You are being a great bun parent so it is not something you are doing wrong…it is just the rush of hormones that comes with a hormonal bun.

[Kbana]

*peace of mind! Ugh and I’m a teacher! LOL

[JackRabbit]

Don’t know if this will help, but my two females were spayed very young.  The vet that spayed my first bunny did so 4 months and said that she prefers to do them at that age because the older they get the more blood vessels develop and increase the risks during surgery.  My youngest female was spayed at 3 months + 3 week (different vet than my first bunny) so that she and her brother could be neutered the same day (I wanted to do everything I could to keep them bonded).  All three bunnies came through surgery great and are still healthy months later.  My girls still have their little attitudes and will thump in objection to things they don’t like (like me not moving fast  enough when giving everyone dinner or salads!).  However, there’s nothing sweeter than being greeted by three sweet bunnies ready to play!

[Beka27]

Welcome to BB!

Congrats (maybe?) on the new addition!

Everyone else addressed the baby bunny/hormonal behavior.

As far as your schedule and work stress… You don’t need to go into specifics, but is this a temporarily stressful month, or are you always very busy/stressed with work related things? If the current situation is temporary, I wouldn’t make any rash decisions just yet. You can let her do her own thing while your work schedule calms down. We all have various work/school/family obligations that come in waves. You want your pet to fit in there somewhere, but if she gets less attention for a bit, try not to worry about it too much…

Bonding with rabbits can take time, and it will be easier to deal with her once she is spayed.

You’ve come to the right place for advice, and if you decide to keep her, I’m looking forward to learning more about her. 🙂

[LongEaredLions]

Sounds like you are doing everything you can.
I would recommend the spay. She may not seem worth it now as she’s moody and hormonal, but after her spay it is likely that those behaviours will diminish completely.
Good luck with whatever you end up doing.
.

[NewBunnyMom4Lola]

Thanks guys!

With those behaviors, I do believe that I’m dealing with a teenage bun. (Sorry for the late response, I’m under the weather today.)

On her age, I’ll be honest. I’m not certain. I tried to get this information from my boyfriend, but he didn’t know as she came from a pet store. (I’m thankful that they litter trained her!)

Throughout the chaos of her behavior, I do care about her and I want for things to work as she is my first bun. I miss our cuddle time (without her balling up in the cage to avoid me or kick away from me like a mad woman) and I miss her doing binkies (when I use large boxes to seal off “bad” areas). I miss my happy bunny.

I’ve just been feeling guilty and wondering what I’m doing wrong. I think I’m gonna go forward with the veterinarian visit first to have her checkup to answer the question of her exact age and get recommendations on the best time for a spay (even though I think now is the next time).

Thank you guys so much for your support! I was feeling awful thinking I’m failing as a bun parent.

[Beka27]

You’re not failing! There is a learning curve! You’ll get there! 🙂

[Beka27]

Also, pet stores will sell bunnies anytime between 6-10 weeks usually, so her age might depend on how long she had been there. Assuming you got her on Christmas at 8 weeks, that would make her about 4 months… Just about when those hormones start kicking in for some buns!

[LongEaredLions]

Your not failing, you sound like a great bunny owner, and you obviously care a lot about your bun!

[BlueMoods]

You have a teenaged bunny and, in human terms that would translate to terrible twos at their worst (you know the kid that bites other kids, throws screaming tantrums at the drop of a hat, etc…) No it isn’t fun but, it is short lived, especially if you have the rabbit spayed. If not then they still settle down by around a year old. Non spayed females will be more territorial and may always be defensive of their cage but, even they calm down and grow up before too long.

For you I’d recommend getting her spayed ASAP, perhaps ask the vet if you could pay half at the time of the operation and half in a month if you need to.

[BinkyBunny]

Ditto – You are not failing.  This is actually so common that we have an article about it in “Bunny Info” that you might find helpful !https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/10/PID/940/Default.aspx

This type of behavior is one of the top reasons that people give up their bunnies to shelters, and it is actually the inspiration for how BinkyBunny.com came to be.It’s our way to help keep the shelter numbers down if we can help you at the source of the problem. 

 I think if pet shops would inform their customers of this possible upcoming behavior, they would help bring the shelters rabbit populations numbers down. (But they may not fully be aware themselves or not want to say anything that would inhibit the sale). I’m sure if someone told you from the beginning that this behavior is normal, then you would not be feeling so defeated.  

So I am so happy that you voiced your challenges. Along with the hormones, young bunnies are like puppies in that they can definitely get into more trouble.  As they age though, things can settle down, but spaying/neutering is encouraged because it can definitely help immediately with the behavioral issues. Keep in mind though that a rabbit’s personality does develop as they age — and most do not enjoy being picked up as adults.   But even if you have a head strong bunny, the amount of aggression should lessen and allow you to bond.  

I have bunny who will grunt and huff, but she’s a quick learner and she picked up on clicker training and positive reinforcement quickly.  This really helped me direct her behaviors for something positive.  Though I still get a kick out of her grunts and bossypants behavior. 
Check out these two videos of her being bossy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTYDAvBtV2s&list=PLD53DF1003CC79DAB&feature=share

Before she was spayed, I guess she was a real piece of work.  She scared the people at the animal shelter which made her more at risk for euthanasia (as being not adoptable), but then SaveABunny.org took her in and got her spayed.  She has settled down quite, but she is an opinionated bunny that I love very much.   She also loves affection and that helps us bond too. I just respect her territory wishes hen I can, which is don’t touch my stuff near her, and that’s it. she can grunt at me one minute and melt at being petted the next.
NOTE: She’s a senior now and blind and can’t see when I touch her stuff, but if she feels me messing with her blanket while she’s on it, she will still give me a warning. LOL.
These kinds of bunnies can feel like they are rejecting you, but really they aren’t. They are just communicating with you what they want, and I love to have a bunny actually let me know what their thoughts are on the matter.

So to shorten this long reply to a sentence:    I bet spaying will settle down your grumpy lady, and even if she has some strong territorial opinions about her place afterward, I bet you will find many things to appreciate.   We can help you out with those challenges so keep us updated. 

[Deleted User]

BB! I would bite you too for wearing those ‘socks with sandals’! What are you thinking? ha ha ha hah!

By the way – with Henry being so ignorant of ‘our’ presence, I sometimes think I would appreciate a nip than nothing at all? I know, easy to say…..

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By AndHenry on 03/01/2014 01:08 AM

BB! I would bite you too for wearing those ‘socks with sandals’! What are you thinking? ha ha ha hah!

By the way – with Henry being so ignorant of ‘our’ presence, I sometimes think I would appreciate a nip than nothing at all? I know, easy to say…..

I just HAVE to say…that sock and sandal combo was my husband!  He wears size 11.5. (though that video you can’t really tell) Good gracious, those would be some big feet for a gal.   

[Deleted User]

Your off the hook BB! (Sorry, didn’t notice the foot size, my eye’s were locked on the sock and sandal combo  LOL!). But your hubby needs a smack and tell him to ‘stop it’! This is soooo funny! Good on you BB! Love it!

[Beka27]

Haha, AndHenry! No, BB ONLY wears stilettos around the house!

(WITH socks, of course…. Lol!)

[Deleted User]

LMAO Beka!!!!!!! (I’m imagining that right now…..) ha ha ha hah!

[LBJ10]

OMG, LOL
You guys are too funny!

[Hazel]

Posted By AndHenry on 03/01/2014 01:08 AM

By the way – with Henry being so ignorant of ‘our’ presence, I sometimes think I would appreciate a nip than nothing at all? I know, easy to say…..

If you want nips, I got the perfect bunny for you… He is a highly trained nipper and draws blood every time. Infact, hubby just got got when he offered Oscar a craisin. It’s becoming quite a problem.

[Deleted User]

I know Hazel – our Henry and Oscar are one extreme to the other, can’t win! Thankfully they are super cute and we love them (not always ‘like’ them, ha hah!).

And yes, that was sooo funny LBJ – BB getting around the house in her stilettos and ‘socks’! Still laughing!

[Stickerbunny]

Yeah, don’t ask for nips – you won’t like them haha Powder has nipped me twice and both times he left these HUGE purple bruises on me. Luckily it was through clothing and a blanket, or that would have caused some real damage. :s Luckily for me, he understands “no” so he knows he was being bad. But those bunny teeth are no joke! And I was not working at the time, can you imagine explaining “This? Oh. No, it wasn’t my boyfriend. It was my rabbit.”

[NewBunnyMom4Lola]

I’m feeling much better after knowing I’m not alone in this! And with my search for a new place, I’ve lucked up and there found two places thus far that are bun-friendly (meaning the non-refundable pet fee/rent wouldn’t apply to her). I’ll be scheduling the spay after I move into my new place. \

Until then, I’ll be searching for an article on here that can assist with her being “skunky”. I dumped her little box hours ago but her area is still stenchy. O.o

#StinkyBun

[LBJ10]

Spaying will help with the smell too.

[Beka27]

Do you know for a fact that she is a girl? Females can be stinky, but it’s more common in unneutered males. Males give off a musky, “oniony” smell. Baby bunnies are often mis-sexed, even experienced breeders can get it wrong when they’re very young.

[LBJ10]

That’s true, Beka. Boys can have a particularly pungent odor.

[Stickerbunny]

My female smelled waaaaaay worse than my male ever did, she was more territorial so more prone to marking and the smell was horrid. For mine, the droppings she used to mark tended to designate the stinky areas. She still will occasionally do it, but it’s nowhere near as bad now she’s spayed. Only way I know to get rid of the smell is to clean up EVERYTHING, use a 50/50 vinegar solution on the floors and crack open a window. Mine did it the most when she was annoyed at me and doing her thumping sessions. My boyfriend called the males smell “dirty, sweaty underwear” and the girl was more like old skunk. Ah, I don’t miss how my house smelled when I had them BOTH in the house doing it.

[Beka27]

Great news about finding a couple pet friendly places!

Rabbits are often considered small, caged pets (like a hamster, guinea pig, etc) so the pet deposit doesn’t always apply to them like a cat or dog. You do want to have a cage or pen available at all times, just in case maintenance or management needs to come by. This is best for the bun’s safety, and if they want to say something about your rabbit later on, you can say “Look, she’s caged!”

[Zombie-Sue]

^ TRUTH LOL.

I used to live in an apartment where it said that cats and dogs were allowed but no rodents. I was sure a rabbit would be miscategorized by the staff, so I printed out all of these papers about responsible rabbit-keeping (about how to keep them from chewing or digging, about how quiet they are, etc) so I could prove that they could be kept without any destruction and were really great apartment pets.

So I bring all this highlighted and tagged info to the office and I am like “I would like to get a bunny.”
and the manager just says “Okay.”
and I’m like o.O “Okay so I’ll bring the pet deposit and rent tomorrow…”
and he was like “Naaah I’m not going to charge you that just for a RABBIT.”

[Jessie1990]

I thought I posted on this thread already! Anyway, Ashe (my dwarf/rex mix-ish rabbit) is very vocal and very territorial. It doesn’t matter who comes in the door. She does the same thing as BB’s Viv and she is also VERY vocal when she disapproves. We have gotten used to it and just accept her the way she is, because as “scary” as she is, she still loves to be pet That’s about her limit. We have another rabbit for cuddles, so we give her space.

[Stickerbunny]

My landlord didn’t charge a deposit for the bunnies either. But, erm, no way will we get our security deposit back after all the damage they’ve done. lol

[Dwarf Sparrow]

Good luck with the move and the spay! It was pretty stressful for us to find a new place a few months ago, since -in my area of Colorado at least- rabbits are considered “exotics,” along with raccoons, ferrets, and skunks… So even when we found “pet friendly” complexes, they really meant “cat and dog and fish” friendly e.e

[Dwarf Sparrow]

Posted By NewBunnyMom4LolaL on 02/28/2014 12:50 PM

I received a new bun, Lola, as a Christmas gift from my boyfriend (who does not live with me/does not help with the bun/decided to get her even though I told him I was not ready for a bun).

Another thought, and forgive me if it’s out of bounds, but maybe your boyfriend could chip in on the cost of the spay, since he seems to have foisted her upon you before you were 100% ready.

[Deleted User]

Actually, good thought Dwarf Sparrow! Henry was given to me from younger son for Mothers Day in May then everyone chipped in to have him neutered and vaccinated for my birthday in September (felt a bit ripped off cause I wanted chocolates and candles, ha ha ha…) but that was $300 I didn’t have to find and NEEDED for Henry to be the perfect (non spraying) gift! I’m now dropping hints for a robotic vacuum to keep his fluff at bay from all over my floors. Wish me luck! LOL!

[Diamond]

My ex-boyfriend moved into his apartment because they allowed pets. Didn’t learn until later that rabbits weren’t included. But maybe that’s a good thing because otherwise, Lily would have been living with him when we broke up. But in your case, yeah, I would def make sure they allow bunnies.

[Author]

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