Bunny suddenly peeing on his beds

[GipsAndLenn]

My neutered rabbit never use to pee on anything other than in his litterbox but recently I have found pee on his bunny beds, why has this suddenly happen (btw my buns live outside but they come into my room (where the beds are) to play) I don’t know whether this habit will stretch to peeing on the carpet and anything else as well. He loves flopping on his beds but if this continues he won’t be allowed them 🙁

[RabbitLove2008]

Does he have any new roommates that are making him territorial, perhaps causing the peeing? In my experience, neutered males are less likely to engage in territorial peeing than spayed females, but our current male, “B,” is very much a territorial pee/pooper, more than any male we’ve ever had!

[DanaNM]

Some buns really like to pee on soft things, so beds don’t really work for them. Is it restricted to the beds, or is he having accidents elsewhere? Peeing in new places can also indicate a UTI or other bladder issue.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[GipsAndLenn]

Its only the bunny beds that he had been peeing on. He hasn’t had any new roommates but Lennon (his sister that lives together with him) recently got spayed, would that cause it, he only started peeing on beds after Lennon’s spaying.

[DanaNM]

Her spaying could have been the trigger, because spaying causes some hormonal fluctuation that could trigger marking in the other bun.

Keep a close eye on them, sometimes there can be fighting due to these hormonal fluctuations. If you notice an increase in mounting, chasing, or any fur pulling at all you’ll need to separate them and go through the bonding process with them.

I would take away the beds for now just so it doesnt become a habit. Then in a few weeks you can try re-introducing them and see if it’s still a problem.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[GipsAndLenn]

Okay, thanks. There has been some loose fur, mounting and chasing going on, but not too “aggressive” just Lennon grunting. Do you think thats a sign to rebond them or is that just a little dust up between them as they settle down again. Lennon got spayed 3 or 4 months ago now.

[GipsAndLenn]

I haven’t actually seen them pull each others fur out, it could be molting…?

 

[DanaNM]

If you are seeing fur clumps around, it was likely pulled, especially if you are seeing mounting and chasing.

They may not need a full rebond, but could need some work to fully re-cement the bond. And if they spend a lot of time unsupervised I would be hesitant to leave them alone together.

Do you have a neutral area you can work with them in? They could just need a weekend together in a neutral space with supervision to get them all happy and strongly bonded again.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[GipsAndLenn]

A neutral space to live in over a weekend, or just a couple hours a day? The problem is both of my buns live outside in a hutch, my parents won’t let them sleep inside overnight. They also think that the buns are perfectly happy with each other and definitely don’t need to be rebonded in a neutral area!:(

 

[DanaNM]

You could start with a few hours a day, but ideally to “cement” a bond they should spend at least 48 hours together (and have no aggression during that time).

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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