New rabbit who constantly thumps, and general questions

[Anastasia]

I have adopted a beautiful mini lop from a reliable animal rescue shelter. The vet check-up indicated that he does not have any current medical issues, except that was not healthy in regards to eating much as he was a stray. He has been eating and drinking regularly under my care. 

I can tell that he was previously domesticated as he is perfectly fine around humans and their touch. However, he has behaviour that is different from rabbits that I previously had/currently have. Keep in mind, he was only de-sexed under a week ago and the vet could not determine his age (around 1-7)

1. He is absolutely obsessed with my other mini lop, and has only met her for a short bonding period (their cages are side by side but they have independent play times outside of this). He spends most of his pen and play time just staring at her? When they met all he focused on was trying to hump her. Is this from the post-sugery hormone spike? 

2. He is EXTREMELY active. When he is not staring at my other rabbit he is constantly running around. However, it does not seem like it is in an adventurous way like I was thinking it would be, it seems like he has an abundance of energy?

3. He has period when he thumps quite randomly and for a solid minute. I am not quite sure what it is associated with. I initially thought it was my presence but he doesn’t mind pats in between the thumping. I am suspecting that it may arise from him wanting to spend time with my other rabbit? I think this only because I allowed my rabbit to have garden time and when he came out from his pen to stare at her, she wasn’t there and he thumped his feet for the longest time. However, I don’t think it is the right time to allow any more physical contact as the surgery was not too long ago 

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am doing my best to make a loving environment for him and I am finding him harder to read than I have previously experienced with adopting other rabbits. 

[DanaNM]

Hi there, welcome

I’m guessing his hormones are still settling after his neuter, and he’s thumping to “show off” to your other mini-lop

I briefly had an un-neutered 9 year old male at my place when I was in the process of taking him to the shelter, and he was bonkers! He and my other buns were constantly thumping at each other from the other room, and he would constantly circle around my feet trying to nip them (not hard… but in a more amorous way lol).

Side note, regarding running around, usually buns should be restricted on their space for a bit of time post neuter to make sure they don’t hurt their surgery site. I’m not sure what the guideline is for males though.

I’m guessing with some more time he will calm down. You are right in that you should wait to do more bonding sessions until his hormones settle down. Pre-bonding cage swaps will also help him get used to her scent, so hopefully he won’t be so obsessed and excited when they finally do meet.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Anastasia]

That was extremely helpful! Thank-you so much. I was very worried that he was just angry, as my other bunny only thumps when she is angry.

Do you mean I should keep him in his pen for longer? He doesn’t like being in there because of his abundance of energy so I try to even out their independent play times as even as possible

Yes I have been swapping their items and so far I don’t think they have noticed much/mind at all, which I am very happy about!!

[tannr]

I’ve heard anything from 3-10 days for cage rest after a neuter. If he has been running around without hurting himself for a few days already, you’re probably good to continue letting him out, as long as he is monitored. I also want to point out that running around/binkies/zoomies isn’t necessarily “energy” as all of these are stress-relieving behaviors as well. Once your bun is more settled into his new environment and more recovered from surgery you will start to see his true personality.

[Anastasia]

I’ve been in the same room whenever I let him out and he has been very well behaved thankfully! I have noticed that he is an escape artist and tries to climb his pen sometimes but never gets out because of its height (I had to put a sheet on to act as a roof just in case he does) so I think leaving him in there might do more harm than good. I will ensure to continue to keep a close eye on him. Thank-you very much for your input as it was very helpful!

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