Change in Behavior?

[Rnabanks]

Hey guys!

We are new bunny parents to a 12 week old Holland lop black otter doe named Banks. The first few weeks were challenging and wonderful at the same time! At first she was very inquisitive and adventurous, playfull and doing full binkies after 3 weeks of being with us. She normally gets run time in the morning for at least an hour and then more time when we get back home from work in the evenings. These past few days there’s been a change in her behavior. She’s come out in the morning but for the rest of the day and even in the evenings she’d rather be in her cage or hidey house. She’s still eating her hay and pellets and drinking water so that’s reassuring. Can anyone shed some light on this? Is she just going through puberty or something?

[Bam]

I’d say your puberty-theory is spot on. This rapid change in behavior is very typical of a girl bun starting puberty. You might soon start to see other changes as well, like territorial defense and/or pee- and poopmarking.

It’s recommended to get girl bunnies spayed when they are 6 months or so, primarily because girl buns are prone to uterine cancer at middle age, but also because it helps with behavior, like litterbox habits and mood.
There’s not a lot you can do until she’s old enough to be spayed, except be very patient and think of her as a teenager who is hormonally confused

[Archer]

Not sure how different Holland Lops are compared to the buns I have, but the behavior change could very well be an age issue. My rabbit’s kits are between 8 and 9 weeks, and already in that time their personalities have shifted rapidly. I think it’s all part of growing up. So long as her appetite is good, and she’s energetic in the mornings, I think you’ll be ok. Keep watching her, of course, but it could just be ‘growing pains’, easily.

I wouldn’t be panicked at this point, or rushing her to a vet. But I’d keep an eye on her and see how she reacts to new toys or the like.

[Author]

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