No longer sweet and cuddly

[Jordan]

Our bun up until about 3 weeks ago always wanted attention… recently she’s started showing signs of her hormones kicking in. Could this change in character be due to her being hormonal? She’s getting fixed soon. We’ve taken her twice and both times I was sent home with her on meds because of a runny nose and sneeze and told to wait a couple weeks and come back to access. So, do you think that after she’s fixed she’ll go back to being her social self? I miss my bunny getting up on the couch with me and asking for attention.

[Wick & Fable]

I’m sorry to hear your turmoil Jordan! Hopefully BB members can help sort these stressors out. Can you specify what behaviors you’re seeing? When rabbits have a sudden change in behavior, the top three reasons are usually 1) hormones, 2) feeling ill/in pain, or 3) change in environment (scent, people, routine, etc). It could be one, two, or all three reasons!

Your rabbit is around sexual maturity age, but considering her sneezing, it’s good to consider whether or not her health could be severely bothering her that she’s become more hostile, withdrawn, or whatever behaviors you’re observing. How are her poops, energy level, and appetite?

If the behaviors are hormonal, yes, spaying will reduce them. When hormones hit, all a rabbit thinks about it mating and territory, so a lot of unwanted, though natural behaviors surface. Getting a rabbit fixed (great job staying on top of that) will dissipate the hormones.

Healthy females are important for spays, as a spay is more invasive than a neuter, so if your rabbits immune system is currently fighting a respiratory infection, not doing a spay is not surprising.

If it’s hormonal, remember she still loves you and her judgement is simply clouded by her natural instincts. Wick was a complete jerk to his other parent approaching and the month after his neuter, due to the hormone spike which occurred before the neuter and afterwards. Tensions were very apparent, and frustrations we’re definitely expressed from both Wick and his other parent. Fast forward to now, 7 months after the neuter, and Wick is more loveable than ever!

I’ve never heard of a spay making a female rabbit behave less socially or lose positive qualities of her personality. A spay let’s a female rabbit develop more with you, without dealing with hormonal frustrations.

I hope this information was helpful to you!

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.

[Jordan]

Posted By Wick on 2/05/2018 5:03 PM
I’m sorry to hear your turmoil Jordan! Hopefully BB members can help sort these stressors out. Can you specify what behaviors you’re seeing? When rabbits have a sudden change in behavior, the top three reasons are usually 1) hormones, 2) feeling ill/in pain, or 3) change in environment (scent, people, routine, etc). It could be one, two, or all three reasons!

Your rabbit is around sexual maturity age, but considering her sneezing, it’s good to consider whether or not her health could be severely bothering her that she’s become more hostile, withdrawn, or whatever behaviors you’re observing. How are her poops, energy level, and appetite?

If the behaviors are hormonal, yes, spaying will reduce them. When hormones hit, all a rabbit thinks about it mating and territory, so a lot of unwanted, though natural behaviors surface. Getting a rabbit fixed (great job staying on top of that) will dissipate the hormones.

Healthy females are important for spays, as a spay is more invasive than a neuter, so if your rabbits immune system is currently fighting a respiratory infection, not doing a spay is not surprising.

If it’s hormonal, remember she still loves you and her judgement is simply clouded by her natural instincts. Wick was a complete jerk to his other parent approaching and the month after his neuter, due to the hormone spike which occurred before the neuter and afterwards. Tensions were very apparent, and frustrations we’re definitely expressed from both Wick and his other parent. Fast forward to now, 7 months after the neuter, and Wick is more loveable than ever!

I’ve never heard of a spay making a female rabbit behave less socially or lose positive qualities of her personality. A spay let’s a female rabbit develop more with you, without dealing with hormonal frustrations.

I hope this information was helpful to you!

I appreciate the feedback. As far as how she’s acting she’s been hiding in the bathroom away from us. Usually she’s where we are but she’s just been hiding out in the bathroom behind the toilet, which I wish she’d pick a different spot because…. ew haha but that’s really it. That and not seeking attention like she usually does. If my husband and I are on the couch she’s usually on it too wanting head rubs. As far as her feeling bad she doesn’t act like she does. She’s been to the vet twice in the last month and they’re just treating her sneezing and runny nose. She doesn’t seem lathargic or anything. And as far as environment change, nothing has changed. So I really hope it’s hormones. I want her to be affectionate again!

[Wick & Fable]

I would recommend keeping the bathroom door closed at all times, just because of the potential dirtyness and access to chemicals. Wick is free-roam 24/7 and we keep it closed, unless we’re there to kind of watch him. He knows he’s not allowed in though.

Out of curiosity, what time does she go into the bathroom? One thing I and other rabbit owners have experienced is as a rabbit grows up, either out of comfort or because they’ve outgrown the baby-phase, they final settle into their sleep schedule. Wick’s sleep schedule is so rigid now. He goes in my bedroom on top of my dresser to sleep every day from 8AM to 3PM, and every night from 10PM to 5AM. I wonder if she’s just decided that spot is her preferred place to sleep during the day?

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.

[Author]

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