Help! My rabbit hates me

[Michelle]

My rabbit got spayed about a week and a half ago and her whole attitude towards me has changed.
She is the best bunny, affectionate, comes when she’s called, cuddles up with me for pets and scratches behind the ears. Since she has been spayed she doesn’t come near me, actually runs away from me, isn’t too interested in coming out of her cage, is growling and running at me, doesn’t want to have cuddles or doesn’t want to be picked up.

I took her back to the vet for an after care check up and he said she is doing fine, and the healing process is great.
She is eating, drinking, pooping like normal, and even binkies when she does decide to come out of her cage.. So why does she hate me???

Also: We did get a new rabbit who is about 10-12 weeks old, thy haven’t been introduced out of their cages cages yet and their cages are located on opposite sides of the room.
Could this have something to do with it??

Any advice would be much appreciated.. I just want my baby back!!!

[tobyluv]

Your rabbit doesn’t hate you. She has had two big changes in her life and it will take a while for her to adjust.

Sometimes after a spay or neuter, a rabbit can go into a “craze” due to fluctuating hormone levels. This can change their personality and their habits until everything has calmed down, which can be a month or maybe more. That is one reason why your rabbit may be acting differently now. The second reason could also be the new rabbit. Rabbits can be very territorial and they can be stressed or agitated or angry about another rabbit in “their space”. It is recommended that both rabbits be spayed or neutered before any bonding is attempted, with a month afterwards for recovery and for the hormones to be flushed out. So, it would be best if you keep your rabbits separated until the new one has had his or her surgery, then a month afterwards, you can start the bonding process.

Here are 2 good articles on bonding:

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

http://rabbit.org/faq-bonding-multiple-rabbits/

You can keep them in the same room, but don’t let them get together physically yet. They can take turns getting out of cage exercise, but be careful that they don’t try to bite through the bars when one is out. You may have to put up a barrier around the cage of the one who is caged at the time, when the other one is running around.

[Michelle]

Thanks so much for your advice!

The little one doesn’t seem to show much fear of Jingles, even when it’s clear that she is getting agitated.

I haven’t let them out together, when Jingles is out and the little one is in her cage they sniff each other through the cage and it seems to be okay. It’s when the little one is out and comes near Jingles when she is in her cage there’s a bit of aggression. Like, get away from my territory!

I was definitely going to wait another 2-4 weeks before I tried any further steps, so her hormones have settled down. But because the other one isn’t spayed you think I should get her done first? Even if she doesn’t seem to be having an issue with Jingles?

Also, they are both girls.. I hear this can be a really hard bond >.<

[tobyluv]

Yes, it’s really better to wait until the new bunny has been spayed before attempting bonding. At her age, she will be entering puberty soon, and will be affected by her hormones. That can mean aggression, which can lead to fighting, which can lead to injuries. It will be much safer to wait for their bonding.

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