Neutered rabbit increasing in aggressiveness?

[Entity of Sass]

I got my bunny, Floyd, in mid-June last summer. He’s always been fairly aloof and doesn’t like to be petted. Any attempt to do so results in him scurrying away. He used to be afraid of people even walking by him, but now he doesn’t have that problem. He’s never been an affectionate mini lop, and I’ve just come to accept it. The only time he would let me pet him is when I was feeding him at his cage entrance.

However, I got him neutered about 3 weeks ago. Since then, his aggression and territorial tendencies have increased even more. He fervently chews on his cage bars at all hours of the night (despite having plenty of space and toys), constantly is trying to flip his litter box, growls at me when I’m scooping his food into his bowl, and growls/claws at the cage bars angrily if I poke at his nose trying to get him to stop chewing on the cage bars. He won’t let me pet him anymore, either.

What could be causing this and what can I do? This is very frustrating, and I don’t know what to do to get him to trust me again after getting him fixed, or to lessen his aggressive/unsociable behavior. Please help!

[MoveDiagonally]

Welcome to the forums!

It’s very common for rabbits to be extra crazy/hormonal for about 4-6 weeks after being spayed/neutered. This happens because their hormone levels are fluctuating as they level out. It’s awful but usually very temporary. Hang in there!

[Deleted User]

Hi! I am a new bunny owner too, having only had Henry for 6 months now. Henry hates being handled (my dreams of bunny cuddles GONE!), he made sure of that – dam wabbit! But, he adores/loves our company – so let him out to hang out with us. We don’t dictate the terms – HE does! So, he follows us from room to room, hiding under tables or chairs, but he’s in the same room & we stopped approaching him, etc., now he comes to us. We still don’t try to pick him up, but we can now pat him, walk past him and have chats with him by getting down on the floor at his level. As much as he wants attention and adores our company – we love his more, he he he….
This took us a few months, so don’t give up – time (I hope) will bring you and Floyd together again. Cheers, Henry’s mum.

[Entity of Sass]

I’m desperately hoping so. If it’s possible, part of me wonders if he’s simply a bunny sporting a grudge against me for ending his, erm..manhood. 

[Rufus]

My bun was a terror for 3-4 weeks after his neuter! Then suddenly he was an angel. Hang in there, hopefully he’ll calm down any day now.

[Entity of Sass]

He seems to only be getting worse and more destructive!  

[NewBunnyOwner123]

On average, how much out of cage time a day does he receive? And the flooring of the room he is when he gets to play?

[Entity of Sass]

He gets 6+ hours out of his cage every day. My apartment is very open, and he has little nooks and crannies he can hide in/under. He’s not allowed in my roommate’s room, but my bedroom, the living room, and kitchen/dining room area are fair game.

[Jessie1990]

I feel your pain! We had Moogle neutered two weeks ago and he is being a little destructo bunny. He’s not aggressive at all, but the opposite. If we are not with him for ten minutes he starts destroying anything in sight. He has never chewed, but has decided that the floor board, carpet, and dry wall all taste scrumptious! He is also digging in his litter box at night, waking my up every hour or so. The spray bottle did work the first night, but now he doesn’t even notice. So, we have ordered a screen from BB. I cannot WAIT for it to get here. If it weren’t for his awesome personality, I would be so mad at the lack of sleep. BUT he has always been the sweetest little guy, so we just deal with having a rabbit child (my mother said I better get used to it if I ever plan on having kids… Making me rethink that plan).

Good luck and you are not alone!

[Author]

Messages