Recent change in behavior

[tmb]

My little Pete (who is about a year and a half) was neutered last March (2016) and he never has had any change in behavior until now. All of a sudden he’s started to grunt and lunge at me and my roommates every once in a while for no reason. Most of the time he’s a perfect little angel but then he gets into moods like this and it’s just not right. He hasn’t had any change in diet or anything like that so I’m not sure what’s causing it. If anyone has any advice or knows why he could be doing this please help!!

Thanks in advance!

[KRiggz]

My bunny was like that except he’s always had a first attitude, neutering helped that but Animals are just like people their personalities/mood vary and change day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, in my OPINION he probably is just irritated by something going on when you’re not around or if you don’t pay enough attention to what they want/need they will get upset, mine will turn his back to me if I don’t give him greens fast enough to his liking! Unexpected changes in behavior can be good or bad but in most cases it could mean something is wrong.. if he’s being aggressive as you say he could be feeling icky and have a disease/infection I would recommend checking your bunnies ears/eyes/nose and vent/penis area along with feeling his tummy to see if he’s gassy.. their tummy should be squishy and softy and a little bit firm, if there’s a hard hard lump it could be numerous things such as gas or GI Track issues. If he starts acting lethargic or the aggression gets worst I would say either try to train him more or set up a vet appointment and explain to them what is going on and they will find something if there’s a problem.

[Bam]

Rabbits can get hormonally aware in early spring, when the days get longer. It has to do with the amount of light that reaches the brain. (This would of course only apply this time of year if you are located in the Northern hemisphere.)

It happens to neutered rabbits as well as intact. The adrenal glands have some small production of thestosterone, and it’s not only sex hormones that are affected by amount of light.

KRiggs are very right in that you should rule out possible health problems first of all. Change in behavior esp aggression in an animal that isn’t aggressive “by nature” can be a sign of pain. Rabbits hide pain extremely well, so we have to go quite a lot by eating- and pooping-habits and general activity level. A bunny should never have a poor appetite and should always be eager to accept a treat.

For starters check him over for obvious causes of pain like KRiggs suggests.

ETA: Territorial aggression/defensiveness can be hormonally driven.

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