Buzzing sound??

[caillou]

So I got my bunny about 3 weeks ago and ever since he got comfortable (just a few days in!) he makes this buzzing sound while running around. It almost sounds like a bumblebee! It really scared me at first because I did not know what was causing it but he keeps making it and seems perfectly healthy. Is this a normal sound? I’ve just never seen anything about it on here!

[Bam]

It is normal but not all buns make it. I’ve only heard it in YouTube videos. It can mean contentment, and in your case that seems to be the case. Here’s and old thread about buzzing, girl buns do it too: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/161768/Default.aspx

There are actually several old threads about this buzzing, but the search function is down at the moment. You can do a google search and type in site: binkybunny buzzing and the old threads will show up.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Could it be honking? Is your rabbit still intact? Is your rabbit circling you?
Young intact males may start to honk and run around you when their puberty and hormones are kicking in. It means they’re “attracted” to you.

If he’s still intact, I’d start to call the vet for a neuter. It’s very important to spay/neuter rabbits, because hormones can lead to behaviour problems and certain cancers. Male rabbits can start to spray urine, circle around people, display aggression and constantly trying to mount people, other pets and hosuehold objects. The phrase “At it like rabbits” is aptly named, because a hormonal rabbit has only 1 thing on his mind. It can make rabbits extremely frustrated and difficult to have around.

Our Breintje was unneutered until he was 2 because my BF had heard a lot of ghost stories about rabbits dying during the procedure. He also never displayed any of the hormonal symptoms. But as soon as Breintje moved in with me, he started to notice that I am a female. He started to hump every soft object in sight and became very grumpy and agitated. We decided to go through with the procedure, and it went really well. We have a much happier and healthier rabbit now.

[caillou]

I have his neutering appointment set for the end of December! It’s probably a hormonal thing because he does also chin everything in sight and has sprayed me before.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Yes, that’s likely hormonal. Spraying sounds like it’s snippy-snippy time. Luckily you’ve already planned the appointment, I hope he’ll behave himself a bit until that time.

Just a quick check: did your vet give you the advice to bring him in on an empty stomach? This is a red flag signalling that your vet doesn’t know rabbits very well. Sadly it’s a common mistake which can be dangerous for a rabbit’s health.
Humans, cats and dogs have to go under sober, because we can vomit and it can choke us during anaesthesia. Rabbits physically can’t vomit, and they have a very sensitive digestive system which needs to be kept going all the time. In fact they shouldn’t be fasted because it increases the risk for GI stasis and they’ll need the energy for their recovery.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’ve heard the buzzing before. Such a weird sound. Great you have an apt. set up.

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