Recent Behavior Change

[RoxMad]

I have been fostering (her adoption will be official once she gets spayed next week!) a doe for about 2 months now. Her vet estimates her to be fairly young, but she is at least 6 months because she came into rescue in May and gave birth on the 27th. She had been a stray for around 3 months prior to being rescued. I picked her up on June 9th. She initially was wary of me, but somewhat docile. Within a week she was very playful towards me (lots of binkying and “zoomies”). She continued to do so, but had seeming periods of “moodiness,” where she wasn’t as affectionate-not soliciting petting or play. In the past month, her play behaviors have decreased significantly, and she mostly eats and rests, and occasionally solicits petting. She tolerates petting, and enjoys treats and being near me when I have them. She used to play by pushing a ball for most of the time she was awake, but now she doesn’t play with it at all. She has now become scrappy and struggles when I pick her up (allows me to pick her up, but starts scrabbling once she is airborne, even struggling if I place her on my lap or in her litter box (I only pick her up to move her, I don’t hold her as she doesn’t like it, but she used to be completely passive during these times.

I have heard that intact does can be moody, and read that bunnies from 6 months-1year can act like teenagers, being moody and less playful, but tend to resume cheerfulness once they reach about 1. I’m hoping my vet can determine a bit more about her age while working on her teeth during her spay, as she also has a molar spur. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I weigh her weekly, so I don’t suspect illness as she’s not losing weight or acting abnormally otherwise. Could age and hormones be the cause of this? Thanks in advance for any and all insight!

[jerseygirl]

I just read her back story in another thread – poor little bun!

I suppose it’s possible hormones are responsible. Its pretty typical of hormone related behaviour. BUT, I have to wonder if it’s that molar spur contributing to the changes you’re seeing. With those, sometimes it’s more obscure signs owners will see than a rabbit just not eating very well. Some members here see their rabbit get mushy poop as an indicator that they need a dental trim. Another saw her rabbit want to chew more wood (furniture?) and sticks as an indicator.

[RoxMad]

I was wondering if the molar spur was getting to her, too. She is getting spayed and her teeth taken care of on Friday, so I am hopeful hat she will be feeling better once she is recovered. While she is eating like a champ, she does seem to be preoccupied with chewing at the barrier in her outdoor area. I have a screened-in patio where she hangs out during the day, and I have a divider to prevent her from having access to the door leading to the outside. We have had a few instances where she has gotten out of the barrier and she really enjoys digging up the potted plants on the other side! I assumed that the chewing on the barrier, since it is often accompanied by initial pushing and pulling of the fence, was just her being frustrated at not being able to get to the other side, but perhaps the molar is causing her to want to just chomp on the fence for brief periods. She has hay in her litterbox as well as a box full of hay for her to munch on, as well as a cardboard box for playing and chewing, but she isn’t really a cardboard chewer. I give her new toys, add foraging supplements or small amounts of “treat hay” to her hay box, do multiple training sessions, and try to change up her environment daily. I can’t imagine that she is bored, but I do believe that she wants on the “other side” since she has been successful at breaking out in the past! I suppose I will see how her behavior is after she is spayed and has her teeth taken care of.

In addition to the decrease in play, I have also noticed that she used to be an avid “chinner,” greeting every object, including me, with a “chin.” Now that I’m typing it out, I remember that bunnies with teeth issues often have bumps on their jawline, indicating abscesses, and I’m wondering if this is cause for the sudden chinning reduction. Her litterbox used to also have a very strong rabbit odor, and it no longer does. It’s an odd combination of coincidences…would you have any insight into what may be going on here?

Thank you again for your insight, advice, and help!! I greatly appreciate it!

[jerseygirl]

Was it this friday just past she was having the op? Im wondering how she is doing.

Her litterbox used to also have a very strong rabbit odor, and it no longer does. It’s an odd combination of coincidences…would you have any insight into what may be going on here?

Did she have a switch in type of hay or pellets? For example, from alfalfa to grass hays?

The hormones can make the pee odorous when they first come in but they do level out somewhat. It may be that it was just more noticeable when the flush of hormones was higher. There can be a seasonal rise in hormones too. Was her pee more smelly during Spring?

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