new behavior…not sure what to make of it?

[LuvFurBabies80]

Ok guys, I have gone through threads to see if I could find something similar but everything on this subject usually has something to do with change of surroundings or puberty…I don’t think that is the issue here….I may be wrong- hopefully someone can shed some light?

So Sage has been fully litter trained since 3 days after we brought her home, the only poo I have ever found outside of her box were literally right outside the box and only 1 or 2 here or there…… until today 

She has run of the bedroom all day normally I go in every couple of hours and sit with her while I am reading or on the computer, or we sit on the bed for some full body rub downs (Sage…not me )  During these sessions she grooms me back with nibbles and licks, digs at her blanky and will randomly jump up and zoom and binky before coming back for more pets.  

Today we followed our routine but one time in the morning she did a binky and leave a poo behind on the bed.  I promptly removed it and put it in her box.  She followed me and went in her box to munch on hay and pee and poo.  I figured maybe she was just so happy she “forgot” her manners

Then later after I picked up my daughter we both went in with Sage and this time….my goodness….every step she took she would leave a poo behind…but only on the bed.  We tested a theory….when in there alone running around and zooming all over the bed….no poos….we go in….poos

Is she trying to tell us it is hers?  Was she overwhelmed having both of us in there when it is usually just Sage and I?

any advice you guys have would be great.

Oh and one more thing….while I was trying to pick up the poos the last time she started to eat one before I could get it, what was this about?

[jerseygirl]

Did the poos have a bit of an odour (kinda like corn chips) and  a slight sheen as if sprayed with a coat of oil? 

If so, those are territorial poos. Hopefully it won’t last long.
I’ve seen mine eat the territorial poos sometimes also, they seem really attracted to the smell. Silly buns.

[Q8bunny]

I don’t have an explanation, but Chewie does the same thing. He has “quiet time” on my bed every evening. He just goes in and hops up and sretches out and ponders bunny existence. He has never -not once- left a poo.

BUT if I’m with him, reading in bed, or “chasing” him with my hand so that he zooms and binkies and play boxes & growls at me, or giving him a really thorough rubdown, he will often leave a raisin for me as a thank you and then run off to potty in style.

I have a theory that he poops because he loves me, and the token raisin is a thank-you card of sorts for doing stuff with him in a comfy place.

[LuvFurBabies80]

Q8: lol…now I have this little picture in my head of a bouquet of poos with the words Thank You scrolled above them!! hahaha

Jersey: I didn’t take notice to the sheen but I can say that they had a very strong odor….a couple of poos smelled worse then the 50 I just scoop out of the box.

I will add that she is still using her litter box….A LOT….just she now adds these extra gifts

[Q8bunny]

My dad jokes that I can start my very own gourmet “olive” business. Eeeww… LOL

[LuvFurBabies80]

eeeewwwww!!!
lol

[jerseygirl]

Beds and sofas are popular places for marking. If they smelled, Im betting they were territorial poos. Could be due to her age… hopefully it will subside on its own.

Oh those token single poos make me laugh. I think of them like a rabbit has left a visitors card. 

[LuvFurBabies80]

Thanks guys

[LuvFurBabies80]

Ok my friends….bare with me as this is my first adventure with a house rabbit so I am not so informed as the rest of you

Sage is about 3 months old….I read Flemish mature a little slower then the smaller breeds as far as puberty goes (smaller breeds 4-5 months larger breeds 8 months)….isn’t it a little early for her to start getting territorial (marking) or is this something that they do no matter what age they are?

Also as far as the maturity goes and spay/neuter does that mean that Sage shouldn’t be spayed until 8-9 months…my vet said due to her size he would do it at the 5-6 month range, is there a downside to doing it too early? Does it affect her growth or well being? Should the spay schedule be decided based on her age or her breed?

Thank you in advance for any information you guys could share with me

[Q8bunny]

The reason vets wait until a certain age is so that the reproductive organs are large enough to remove without too much poking around.

I have no Flemmie experience but I imagine Sage could hit puberty early just like some kids do.

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