Significant Behavior Change

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 9 months ago by Megabunny.

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- 07/12/2015 at 6:12 AM
  SLindfors
  Participant
  5 posts
  Harley is about 3 months old and has been a real joy in the house. He became extremely affectionate about 5 days ago and loved to cuddle and be petted. He’s never had a problem being picked up and we hold him a lot. He typically gets free reign of the house in the morning while I am getting ready for work and I have, until now, been able to walk right up to him, pick him up, and put him in his house when I leave for work. That all changed drastically two days ago.
  
  He does NOT want to be picked up. He acts terrified when approached an runs at top speed from everyone in the house now. He has become very aggressive. This morning I put my hand in the house to pet him and he lunged at me, scratching me with his front paws. Last night I was using a small wisk broom to pick up some droppings near him and he attacked that as well. Really glad that those teeth did not get me!
  
  I’ve read a bit about how rabbits don’t like to be picked up so please forgo any explanations about that. I would not be concerned if he had been like that always. My question is this: Is there anyone out there who has experienced this same behavior change and what did you observe?
  
  I’ve gone from spending time on the floor playing with him to just trying to pet him through the bars because of the way he is acting. I want to help him, but don’t know how.
  
  Thanks.
- 07/12/2015 at 6:34 AM
  kirstyol
  Participant
  580 posts
  I assume with his age that he is not neutered? Sounds like it could be hormonal behaviour to me. Also when Bramble was a baby he used to be ok with being picked up and even cuddled, but not now and he is neutered – I think this is a common experience for bunny owners who have had their buns since they were babies, but I am certainly not an expert.
  
  I would consider getting him neutered. It definitely made a massive difference to my Bramble, although he doesn’t like being picked up, he no longer scratches or nips since being neutered. Although he does still go for the broom lol,
- 07/12/2015 at 6:43 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Yep, puberty and hormones….neutering will help.
- 07/12/2015 at 8:13 PM
  Megabunny
  Participant
  2041 posts
  Hopefully the neutering will help, though one I had was just a lunger all the time when he felt cornered, but he was fine otherwise. Rabbits do change as they age. Hopefully he will calm more once he’s neutered.
- 07/12/2015 at 9:23 PM
  SLindfors
  Participant
  5 posts
  Thank you for the replies. There is a definite common theme! Harley was much more cuddly this evening even if still a little skittish getting picked up. Lots of chin licking tonight. Sounds like it’s time to make an appointment with the veterinarian. Sure is nice to have a forum like this!!
- 07/13/2015 at 8:16 AM
  Megabunny
  Participant
  2041 posts
  That’s what we’re here for!
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