Does spraying ever stop?!?

[Jes]

 Hey guys! I realize I’m asking for it here when I say I have an 8 month old male who isn’t neutered, but I’m not planning on neutering him until I decide to get another rabbit. I’ve heard it’s a dangerous procedure and he’s been absolutely fine until just today. Besides, I need to wait until I’m out on my own and can pay for it myself. (I’m in college). My little guy (Freddy) has been absolutely great and has shown no signs of reaching sexual maturity (although I’m sure he’s way past it) until today when we were playing “butt pokies”, his favorite game where I poke his tush and he runs around my hands. He loves this game and frequently wants to play it, I can tell because he starts running around me and honking. Usually this game gets a little messy because he gets really excited and poops a lot during it. He’s never peed or sprayed me during it until today. Funny thing is that I was just reading how territorial males will often run around you and honk and spray you and I was JUST saying to my boyfriend how I’m so glad Freddy has never sprayed me and then bam, he sprays me. My main point is, was this just a freak thing or will it continue? I love playing with him, but I don’t want to anymore if he’s gonna get too excited and spray. The only reason I ask if it was a freak thing is because I just brought him home to my parents’ house for easter break and he was getting used to the house, so he hadn’t peed in like a day and a half, so maybe his bladder was just really really full and he got too excited and had to go? He’s been so perfect, no symptoms of sexual maturation, no humping, biting, spraying, just honking and circling, but that’s it!I Like I said, neutering isn’t an option right now, so I’m really hoping I don’t absolutely HAVE to do it. Please tell me this is just a temporary/one time thing.

[Jessica]

Spraying can happen for lots of reasons but they typically involve marking territory. Being somewhere new may add to his urges. Spraying is also part of courtship, so is circling and honking. I cant say if it is a one time type thing or if he just figured out how to do it. I have an intact male at the moment and he has sprayed our other rabbit a few times since he came home on Saturday. I hate it, he’s trying to be good but its hormones, luckily his appointment is booked and my vet will call if they can fit him in sooner

[Mikey]

Neutering is one of the least dangerous surgeries Most buns bounce back the very same day after a few hours of rest. Neutering will also stop his spraying habit as it is hormonal

[12345ABCDE]

How on earth would we know if it’s just a one off lol. Getting neutered is simple, and it’s best to do it whilst they are young. He might continue to spray and mark his territory with poops but he might not? Neutering should be done for the health of the rabbit anyway, not just for behavioural issues. But yeah if it’s hormonal rather than ‘oops I had an accident’ then it probably will continue.

[jerseygirl]

The different environment could be a trigger for him. Are there other pets there too? That might bring out some territorial tendencies.
It does sound like courting behaviour.
It’s also spring in the Northern Hemisphere, so that would increase hormonally driven behaviours too.

[Jes]

Thanks for the info! I’m definitely going to try to get it done as soon as I can.

[Jes]

That’s true! I forgot that it’s spring! Yes, there’s a dog in the house, but neither animals knows the other exists right now, they stay in separate parts of the house. 

[Jes]

Update: No sooner than I had written this post last night, he started biting me and trying to mount my arm and he also sprayed again. So I guess we know the situation now lol

[12345ABCDE]

Posted By Jes on 4/14/2017 8:13 PM

Update: No sooner than I had written this post last night, he started biting me and trying to mount my arm and he also sprayed again. So I guess we know the situation now lol

He’s obviously very fond of you 

[Author]

Messages