It’s probably just puberty, but….

[BumiBunny]

Hello everybun!

I have a question for any who have to keep their boy buns intact. We just moved to a new house last week, and Bumi has been settling into his new environment quite well. He just turned 1 year old back at the end of February, so I have a feeling my question has already been answered with the several related posts I have read, but would like to see if anyone has suggestions to make this time pass with as little stress and frustration as possible.

 My question is that he suddenly seems to be humping his plush girlfriend a lot; it’s almost non-stop for a few hours throughout the entire day. He will take quick breather breaks to catch his breath and to cool down, but then he will go at it. He will especially go at it when either myself or my husband pet him. He will do two things: run away from the pet to go immediately hump or he will accept the pet for a little while and when we’re done he goes to the toy.

I can’t quite tell if this sudden non-stop behavior is puberty as he used to only hump a couple of times a day, then be done, and sometimes would go a few days in-between the humping. But since it’s also spring, I wasn’t sure if this is more “mating season” triggered than him reaching puberty. I was also wondering if it’s perhaps the move that is also triggering this.

I usually don’t mind, but it’s got me concerned for his health and well being. He has been a little more aggressive with the toy (biting as he does his deed) and with him constantly going for it, I am worried that this might be an indicator that he is experiencing frustration. I think removing the toy would cause more stress than leaving it in, but he has been going at so often I worry about his stress and frustration levels. He humps only the one toy but has shown interest in humping our feet–we don’t let him. I had been wondering about getting him a second plush girlfriend (to at least rotate while one is getting washed) but would having two plush girlfriends in his area at the same time be more stressful or would he see it as a better situation to pass on those genes.

I just want to make this transition (whether into full-fledged puberty or settling into the new house) as calm and stress-free as possible. 

[Jessica]

It does sound like he’s hit puberty and it might be dominance also cause of the move. I had the same issue with freckles but cause of his heart I couldn’t get him done. Idk if it would stress him more to remove his wifey plush or not. I’d ask a bunny vet about it. But yea freck was quite aggressive when he would also and I had to tell him calm down buddy and hed relax a little. But yea I think it might be a mix of both. Watch his heart rate and let a vet know what’s going on with him so you can get some tips of what to do. I’m more concerned on the fact he won’t stop and he’ll hurt himself.

[BinkyBunny]

A move can create definite behavior changes in our bunnies. And this doesn’t sound abnormal for a move. Can be made worse if there were animals living their prior. ALSO, I don’t know where you are located, but if it’s springtime (We have some members in Australia and so it’s NOT springtime there), then the beginning of longer days can trigger some amorous behaviors as well.

If this lasts for over a month, then you may look at other health issues, but for now it sounds behavioral due to a new location, stress and possibly Spring. Just try to give him lots of affection (if he is that type of rabbit that likes that) and keep schedules for feeding, changing litter etc at the same time. Predictability can help ease stress. He’s young and can deal with all of this extra exercise! Just see how it goes for another month, and if it continues like crazy and all health issues are ruled out (bladder issues can cause excessive humping), then you may look into neutering to relieve him of the frustration.

[BumiBunny]

Thanks for the replies! He does seem a little calmer now (currently sleeping in one of his favorite spots) so the fact that he isn’t going at it all day long makes me feel better. Last night he did seem a little calmer but as soon as I went in to his area to pet him, that’s when he just couldn’t seem to stop doing the deed. I think this might mean that I should stay out of his area as much as I can for a little while until he completely settles. Or just make the visits short. I would like to give him affection but he has been acting like he has ants in his pants so he can’t sit still! XD

I will have to keep an eye on his heart rate. I’m not sure if it was his heart that caused him to have a reaction to the anesthesia, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on!

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