My rabbit smells weird.

[HerculesandMolasses]

Just so you know, Hercules the rabbit isn’t neutered yet but will be soon. I was cuddling him and then he mounted my leg so I pushed him and tried to cuddle again but he smelled really musky with a somehow sweet tint. I don’t know. Is he smelling like that to attract mates? Whenever he is aggressive he smells like that. He attacked my cat very violently but my cat did nothing so I seperated them right now. He smelled very strongly of that smell whilst attacking. No one in my house seems to smell it. What is that smell?

[Cottontail]

I believe the smell you’re describing is his male musk due to hormones raging. We recently neutered our Duncan and he still has some reserves here and there where he will get over excited and have this musky/fresh-oniony smell to him. It’s becoming weaker, fewer, and further between now, as it takes several weeks to clear their system after neuter… but if Hercules isn’t neutered then he’s got plenty of hormones to spare. …And chances are, if you smell it and he’s mounting your leg, he thinks YOU”RE the lady-bunny/mate.
Remember, testosterone surges are needed to be a big tough guy, and a “romancer.” Chances are some of his poops and his pee occassionally have the same or similar scent. The mounting and the musk will go away after several weeks once he gets neutered… as will some of the territory/seemingly-random rages.

I’m not sure how old Hercules is, but he’s obviously now at least a teenager and old enough to be neutered.

[LBJ10]

Yes, as CT said he is probably hormonal right now. What you’re smelling is normal and they can release scent and/or spray for a number of reasons including territorial marking.

[LittlePuffyTail]

He may also need his anal gland cleaned.

[LBJ10]

Ah yes, that’s a good point LPT. If the smell is somewhat consistently present and it doesn’t seem to be associated with behavior then it could be his glands are needing to be tended to.

[HerculesandMolasses]

Oh okay, it only happens when he attacks things or mounts. I see him cleaning a lot down there so I don’t think it needs any cleaning, but thanks for the advice.

[HerculesandMolasses]

Also, he has never sprayed in his life so yay.

[LBJ10]

How old is Hercules now?

[HerculesandMolasses]

7 months but my parents said they will neuter him by Christmas

[LBJ10]

Okay, he isn’t doing too bad then. What I mean is, many bunny owners cannot wait to get their young boys neutered because of spraying, etc. So if you’re not experiencing that, then you’re golden.

[HerculesandMolasses]

Yay! His only problems are mounting and being territorial.

[Author]

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