Hormonal or am I just getting this wrong?

[Katwin]

So 3 1/2 weeks ago I rescued a young bun from running onto the street. We tried to find its owners with no luck. I know pretty much nothing about bunnies. I have never looked after one.

The vet thinks she is about 4 months old. She is such a good little girl. Very sweet and kind. She seems to have already been somewhat litter trained as she wouldn’t go on my wooden floors – only in the hutch or playpen. But that is changing. I read in the Bunny gone Nutty post that litter box habits can get worse for a hormonal rabbit.

But I also wonder if it’s because I’m not doing something right. She shows no other signs of being hormonal. No aggression, no mating behavior etc. she actually started peeing and pooping on me the other day out of the blue. Could it just be that she’s getting confused as to where to go? I’m so lost. Other than now going occasionally on my floors, she is a lovely girl. She seems happy. Does binkies and grooms me.

But I must admit, I really have no clue what I’m doing…

[curiiouscat]

Sounds like she’s trying to mark her territory. It’s always best to spay females, as they have a very high chance of getting cancer in their uterus. After being fixed up, the sporadic bathroom habits should subside

[VivaLaBunz]

Hello Katwin,

Bunnies often mark territory in the same ways other mammals do…with pee and poop! They don’t normally do this until A.) They are comfortable with their new surroundings and feel like the its worth claiming and B.) Until they hit puberty / sexual maturity

Both male and female rabbits will mark territory in this way if they are not spayed/neutered. Male rabbits will often spray like an unneutered cat (I’ve had one spray me once at work…not fun!). Female rabbits have a 80% chance of getting uterine cancer by age 4 if they are not spayed. Sadly this is how my first bunny passed over the summer. 

 

Spaying/neutering along with proper litter training will eliminate this behavior almost guaranteed.  You just may need to give the bun a few weeks-months to let the hormones ‘die down’ after the spay/neuter.

Hope this helps!

[Author]

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