Having some issues with my new bunny, need advice

[TheVelveteenRabbit]

I adopted my Holland Lop about a month ago. I adore him and he’s the bunny I’ve always wanted, sans 3 things, which I REALLY hope I can fix.

1. Since his neuter 2 weeks ago, he’s been very aggressive and territorial to my brother. If my brother tries to pet him, my bunny will bite him HARD, breaking skin. If my brother walks into my room when the bunny has his playtime, he will suddenly poop absolutely everywhere. He’s ONLY acting like this with my brother, oddly. I know it’s hormones but should my brother keep trying to bond with him (by giving him treats, or whatever works) or kind of leave him be until he calms down? And just out of curiosity, why is he only doing this to my brother?! My brother loves my bunny and is so sweet to him.
2. He’s slowly destroying his hutch via chewing. I got him a gigantic wooden hutch which was pretty expensive so of course I’m really upset about this. This happens overwhelmingly at night, when I put him in (he’s not free range while I sleep). He seems to know that it really upsets me and I will get out of bed to try to stop him (usually by putting some kind of barrier, like a towel or bowl, that will work temporarily, until he pushes it away). How can I stop this? It’s impacting my sleep. I was thinking of duct tape but I’m scared he’ll eat it and get sick.
3. Once again, only since his neuter, his urine/hutch has smelled horrible. I’d describe the scent as strongly FISHY. My bedroom, which only smelled like hay before, is beginning to stink, despite daily hutch cleaning, daily litter changes (he only pees in his box, thankfully), leaving my window open most of the day with a fan on, etc. I called the vet about it (they are rabbit-savvy) and they said as long as he’s eating/drinking/acting/pooping normally, it’s likely not a medical problem. But it never smelled like this before the neuter!! Can rabbits actually make their urine smell worse due to hormones? I am adding ACV to his water and haven’t seen a difference yet (it’s only been about 2 days, I imagine it’d take some time).

I’m guessing these are tied to the post-neuter temporary hormone “spike” people mention on these bunny forums, but I’m looking for advice on how to deal in the meantime. Also, he doesn’t seem especially interested in chewing anything other than his hutch, so I think it’s more of a plea for attention/to be let out than say, a teeth issue or a genuine hobby for him (I’ve gotten him so many chew toys he shows basically zero interest in. He also doesn’t chew anything in my room while he’s out, other than a slight nibble). But like I said, I can’t let him out at night, so I’m not sure what to do. I also can’t move him from my bedroom, per my dad’s orders. I would really appreciate some advice.

[Muchelle]

Hello, congrats on your new bunny

So, let’s go by order:

1) Did he get more aggressive after the neuter or was he on the sassy side even before that? As you’ve said yourself it may be an hormonal spike, but it also may be due to your brother not approaching him correctly, how old is he?
For example buns don’t like hands that suddenly appear from the front of their faces (blind spot) or from high up to their back (predators). I think he should try to bond (or re-bond) with the bun by sitting down on the floor with him and let him smell him and get used again to his person, so that in case the bun thinks he’s a menace to himself or to his territory he can change his mind.

2) Bunnies chew, you need to get used to this. Nothing survives their teeth and wood is good to keep their teeth filed down, so he will keep chewing. You could offer him a plastic hutch and some chew-sticks (generally they like apple sticks very much, for example). Don’t use tape or whatever, cause if he eats it stuff can go very bad very soon. If at night he’s closed up in his cage he might be making noise to be let out, which can be improved by keeping him out or attaching a removable pen to his cage, so that he can have some more room.

If even with all of this he keeps being a noise maker at night, it could be an idea to relocate his enclosure + pen to another room and then get him back in during the day. If you’re not sleeping due to his habits, I’m sure your parents will understand, or at least keep an eye closed until his hormones are out and he’s calmer.

3) That’s most likely hormonal, use the vinegar to keep his stuff clean and wipe away the pungent smell and be patient.

If he’s not interested in toys, you can offer him a dig box (can find some examples in the habitat & toys section) or wiggle the chewing toys under his nose. If stimulated enough he may play with them, with you ^^

[TheVelveteenRabbit]

Thank you so much for the advice!

Luckily, issues #2 and #3 have resolved since I posted this. At night, I’ve discovered that lining his hutch with towels is a deterrent to keep him from chewing his hutch so aggressively. I also think the neuter ultimately has calmed him, because he appears to be sleeping through most of the night, or at least quietly lounging in his little hideaway house. His smell is practically nonexistent now, thankfully. Only smell is his urine, which is nicely masked by the Feline Pine litter I switched him to.

Unfortunately, issue #1 is still a big problem. My bunny is/has always been a sweetheart (or at the very least calm) with everyone but my brother, which has baffled my whole family. My brother is in college – 23 and about to graduate, which means he’ll only be living with me for another few months. Even so, I’d like to resolve this. My brother is a shy, gentle guy who loves animals and is now a bit afraid of the bunny. I’d been having him feed the bunny his  treats for a bit but that doesn’t seem to help. The bunny even growled and lunged at my brother’s girlfriend a few days ago when they were sitting side by side (I think he might’ve mistaken my brother’s girlfriend for my brother, scent-wise – he’s usually quite calm with her when she approaches him one on one. It was the strangest thing, and now she’s scared of my bunny too!). 

I’m not sure exactly what my brother did to provoke this (I’m certain it was accidental, if anything). I’ll definitely have my brother sit with the bunny, probably with some layers on. Is there anything else I can do to help my bunny realize my brother means him no harm? Maybe continue having my brother give the bunny his treats/food as well?

Thank you again for the advice!

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