neutered for 2 months & still spraying

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 4 months ago by bunnyfriend.

Viewing 4 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 11/20/2011 at 7:31 PM
  bunnyfriend
  Participant
  2368 posts
  Do some male rabbits never stop spraying? Totoro is proving to be very difficult to litter train. Plus he has started literally shooting pee. His poos are still very stinky, like territorial poos. I’ve checked and he definitely seems to be neutered, besides my vet is the one who does the neuters for the humane society. It was over two months ago as well. I’m just frustrated right now and at a loss. I want to start bonding in a week or two.
- 11/21/2011 at 5:43 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Some rabbits never stop spraying. How old was he when he was neutered? I’ve heard that some rabbits if neutered later (6 months and on rather than the recommended 3-4), can develop a spraying HABIT. In these situations it’s no longer hormonal, so neutering does not fix it. I know Binkybunny’s Jack (who recently crossed the bridge) was a habitual sprayer. Although, I thought he was tested or something and it was discovered that he had excess testosterone (maybe?) She would need to weigh in further.
- 11/21/2011 at 3:05 PM
  bunnyfriend
  Participant
  2368 posts
  Oh that makes sense! They estimated he was about 5 months old when he was neutered, when they first found him he didn’t have his parts yet lol, but not sure if they got him neutered right after that. Is it possible to ever break the habit? And will he still eventually litter train?
- 11/21/2011 at 3:21 PM
  Stickerbunny
  Participant
  4128 posts
  I had a long discussion with my vet on habit behaviors vs hormonal behaviors when I got Powder neutered – the way he explained it is the older rabbits (after a year is when he starts to caution against habit vs hormonal with males) that are neutered can form a habit and neutering will not fix it. We had the issue with Powder and humping, it had become so much a habit for him, neutering didn’t deter him from humping poor Stickers for up to 20 minutes straight and causing her all sorts of stress during their bonding. It is possible to break their habit behaviors, but it takes redirecting them and positive reinforcement training and being very diligent about it. When he starts to spray, move him into the litter box and keep litter boxes near where he does it, clean up any area with something that will remove the scent. And even then, he might still do it sometimes… it’s like teaching a kid to stop chewing on their nails, it’s possible, but it’s hard (I should know, I am 25 and I STILL chew my fingernails lol).
- 11/21/2011 at 7:49 PM
  bunnyfriend
  Participant
  2368 posts
  Oh thank you! This is very helpful. Would clicker training possibly help with breaking the habit?
Author

Messages

Viewing 4 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.