Rabbit circling and thumping….

[Jenny]

I just bought a senior rabbit. He is supposedly 7, and he has not been fixed. I put him in his new cage and he is circling my hand and thumping. I understand this is a sign of mating, but I also know he is probably afraid. It only happens when I pet his back (going in from the top of the cage). If i pet his face through the bars he is fine. I just got him last night, and that is when he was put in the new cage. I used to have a rabbit that was a female who lived in this cage (only a few weeks ago). I cleaned it well, however the wood parts I was not able to get perfectly. Is it possible he could smell her and that could be causing this? I know he should have been fixed, but should I really do that at his age? Is there anything else I could do? It has only been 1 night so he is definitely still settling in…. I just want the best life for him for the rest of his life. Thanks!

[LongEaredLions]

Thank you for taking in a senior bun!
I would talk to a vet about getting him fixed. If he’s otherwise healthy, it shouldn’t be a big deal to get a neuter done, if that’s the route you choose to take.
It is definitely possible that he can smell the female rabbit. You can clean the wood pieces with white vinegar or a low-heat oven. Since bunnies are prey animals, I would avoid approaching him from above-especially if this seems to trigger the behavior. It is likely he is just getting used to unfamiliar territory. I would let him settle in for a few weeks and see if his behavior changes.

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