Neutering And Behavior

[berrinmichelle]

Hi everyone, so here’s something I’ve been dealing with as of the past 2 days. Noah is getting older now, about 6-7 months old, and is reaching that “time” where he needs to be neutered.  He is alone – no female rabbits around or anything that would make neutering him an ABSOLUTE necessity, however ***I believe in neutering and have my reasons, so please avoid this post if you do not.***

With that being said, he’s starting to behave erratically.  When it starts getting into the latter part of the night, he loves to HUMP. Yes, hump. Loves it.  He also has become absolutely against being picked up whatsoever; I haven’t even been able to clip his nails by himself because he’ll freak out and run before I even begin.  I understand that’s in their nature being a prey animal, but this is actually a new behavior – I used to be able to pick him up more frequently with no problem.

Also, he looooves to mark his territory, but not by spraying – by pooping EVERYWHERE (although given his behavior I’m sure the spraying will come too eventually.) This is not a litter-box training issue, as he has no problem using his box. 

Do any of you experience this excessive pooping as a means of marking territory with your rabbits?  I’m attributing this to his “maturity”, however this is something he has always done.

Now, being the smartypants that he is, he’s taught himself how to jump on and off of my bed with no problem.  Under any other circumstances I’d find it adorable, but with the pooping issue, not so much.

I guess my question is, how much of this behavior will be stunted if/when I get him neutered, and how much of this behavior will I just have to get used to? Also, are there any other behaviors that will dissipate due to neutering that I don’t know about, as well as behaviors that are just in his nature that I haven’t listed, but will have to accept?

I need answers fast, please!

[Sarita]

As rabbits age they do not like being picked up – I think baby rabbits are fine with it, but overall mature rabbits not so much.

I agree that the pooping everywhere is not related to litter box training – same with the bed, it’s definitely marking. Neutering can definitely help with this as long as there is no other reason for him to mark (other rabbits or animals). Beds and couches smell so much of “their humans” that even some altered rabbits may poop/pee on them – that can sometimes eventually stop as well. I had an altered rabbit that was free roam that would do that but the behavior did eventually stop (in my case).

I’m the same as you about neutering – I just would do it no matter what – I guess it’s the rescuer in me.

[Beka27]

Lol… He’s not “reaching” maturity, he’s past maturity!

All the behaviors you listed are normal for an intact rabbit, and some may persist afterwards as well. There’s no way to know for sure. You really just need to get it done and see how everything plays out. For lots of rabbits, neutering is a “magic cure”, but for others, the behavioral benefits are less noticeable.

One thing to keep in mind, hormonal behaviors can become HABITUAL if allowed to persist too long. He’s already 2-3 months past maturity, so I would recommend getting this done ASAP…

[berrinmichelle]

ahh I didn’t know! I was told that you can’t have a rabbit neutered before 6 months old, so I thought he was pretty much right on track :\

[Beka27]

Oh ok! Well, some vets prefer to wait until 6 months to spay/neuter, but males can technically be neutered as soon as their testicles descend at about 3-4 months… This is also the age when hormonal behaviors begin in most boys…

Do you have a rabbit vet yet?

[Author]

Messages