Sr Rabbitto – Ususally mellow, now aggressive

[srrabbitto]

 Hi all,

We have had Sr Rabbitto since September, when he was very young.  He was quite timid at first, but became really friendly after not too long.  He likes to be pet and enjoys our company.

Just recently he has started getting quite aggressive, usually towards guys, not girls.  He has started stomping his feet quite a lot and semms very scared of something.  If I walk into the room, he freezes in his cage for some time before moving again.  Usually if I open his cage door, he will jump out and be really happy, but now he will sit there for a while with the door open, and shoot out when no one is in the room, sending wood shavings everywhere.  Then he creeps around as if exploring his surroundings the same way he did when we first got him.

Looking online, some people suggest that something is frightening him, but he is in his usual familiar surroundings, so I can’t believe this is the case.  The other suggestion which comes up is that it is time for him to be neutered.

If anyone has any suggestion on what might be causing this, or what we can do to help the little dude, then please let us know!

Thanks a lot 

[peppypoo]

When rabbits near maturity, they can become a lot more aggressive and destructive – neutering should definitely help.

Also, what kind of wood shavings are you keeping Sr. Rabbitto on? Cedar and pine can be harmful to their health.

[BinkyBunny]

 Have you noticed in change in his vision or hearing?  I agree that sexual maturity can definitely make a rabbit change and so I am not ruling that out, but it also sounds like this is fear based, and so I am just covering other posibilities.   Do you have any other animals in the house?  Have you been around any other animals?  Does anyone else handle him besides you?

[srrabbitto]

Posted By peppypoo on 05/07/2011 11:56 PM
When rabbits near maturity, they can become a lot more aggressive and destructive – neutering should definitely help.

Also, what kind of wood shavings are you keeping Sr. Rabbitto on? Cedar and pine can be harmful to their health.

Wow, thanks for the quick reply.  We keep him on “Chipsi Classic” shavings.  It doesn’t specify the wood though, but it is a well know brand here in Germany. Here’s a link .

We’ll look into neutering, he is due for booster vaccinations at the end of the month, so we’ll ask the vet then.

[LoveChaCha]

it sounds like he needs to be neutered

are shavings in his cage? if so, i would suggest not using pine or cedar (was peppy pointed out) and opting for wood stove pellets, or rabbit safe litter and for it to be kept in a litter box only. it can be confusing to where bunny should be doing his business.

[srrabbitto]

Posted By BB on 05/08/2011 12:01 AM

 Have you noticed in change in his vision or hearing?  I agree that sexual maturity can definitely make a rabbit change and so I am not ruling that out, but it also sounds like this is fear based, and so I am just covering other posibilities.   Do you have any other animals in the house?  Have you been around any other animals?  Does anyone else handle him besides you?

Hi BB,

Not really noticed any change in vision or hearing.  We have a couple of turtles in the house, but they are water animals in an aquarium.  But occasionally friends come over to the house who have cats and so on, and Rabbster take a lot of interest in their clothing, which indicated interest, rather than fear I think?

No one else really handles him besides me and my Lady.

[Helenor]

It says it has fir and spruce wood in it. I’m not quite sure if this is bad for them. Does anyone else know?

[srrabbitto]

Posted By LoveChaCha on 05/08/2011 12:08 AM
it sounds like he needs to be neutered

are shavings in his cage? if so, i would suggest not using pine or cedar (was peppy pointed out) and opting for wood stove pellets, or rabbit safe litter and for it to be kept in a litter box only. it can be confusing to where bunny should be doing his business.

Hey LoveChaCha,

OK, thanks for the avice.  We’ll probably get him neutered I think.  We’ll also go to the store and pick up a litter bo and some pellets.  Will report back the progress

 

Thanks to everyone for the help !

[peppypoo]

No problem. Your rabbit looks adorable in the pictures! Feel free to stick around and ask if you have any more questions .

[Lintini]

Just an idea – my windows are at ground level since my house is built back into a hill and sometimes raccoons come into my backyard and that sends my rabbits into a thumping/chaotic mess. (knock on wood its been months since we’ve had them in the backyard now though) – could it be possible a predator of some sort has taken up refuge around your home? One night those little raccoon jerks even peed into my bedroom through the screen….UGHHH!!!!!

[Author]

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