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- This topic has 17sd replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 3 months ago by
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I took on a rabbit, 16 weeks old, male holland lop. Not neutered (yet). Hes a sweet little thing. Very curious, very energetic. He “had to go” from his other home cuz he was purchased for some small children and Mom didn’t realize how much work he was gonna be for her. Seemed like a pretty sorry excuse, they only had him two weeks, but I found out pretty quick what I think to be the real reason they got rid of him.
Every. Single. Time. That I reach into his cage (food, water, litter, cleaning, whatever) he sprays the heck outta me. He does NOT seem fearful. He is rather interested in what I’m doing, then BAM, he throws his bunnybutt around and gives me a good ol’ stinky shower. And everything else that gets in the way…. cage, food bowl, wall, whatever.
WHY???? He will be neutered, probably next month….but in the meantime, what can I do to discourage that? Isn’t he a little young for hormonal bs? I feel like I need a full poncho with face mask just to clean the rabbit’s cage.
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He is so precious!!!!! Of course, I’M not the one on the receiving end of his “adoration”… lol.
I would call the vet first thing Monday morning, and depending on your flexibility, explain what’s going on and let them know to call you if they get a cancellation. Vets, like any doctor, do get last minute cancellations and it would be great if you could get put on the short list… I also encourage this b/c if allowed to go on too long, spraying can become HABITUAL, rather than just hormonal. This usually happens with older buns, but I wouldn’t want to chance that cute ball of fluff deciding he enjoys spraying, even after neutering.
Now… is it bad of me to say I kinda hope he DID spray his previous owner? That should teach her to get a pet and (most likely) do little to no research on what they require. Hopefully next time the kids beg for “xyz animal”, she’ll get them a stuffed one instead…
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Beka…. Well, if you’re bad, I’m bad too. I am kinda thinkin’ the same thing. I do think, though, that a lot of rehomes would be avoided if a person would be HONEST about the reason they are getting rid of the animal. Had he gone to someone else, would they put the money and effort out to neuter and try to curb the spraying? Or would they have gotten rid of him too? Had I known he was a sprayer, I probably still would have agreed to take him, but at least I’d have known and decided that for myself.
Mandyy….
Glad I could entertain. Thanks, Peppypoo
LBJ…. LOL! Glad someone can appreciate my humor. When you’ve had as many animals as I have (fosters), you tend to get creative with names…. you can only have so many fluffies, and spikes, and fidos…..
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I can’t believe that sweet looking bun could do such a thing.
Ditto all the above on that hormones would be a BIG factor in this.
They can also do it as a bit of a stress relief so maybe changing his habitat might help in the meantime. Do you have room to set up a pen? I’m thinking his being in a cage in the previous home possible with small children reaching in or poking could have caused some stress. A pen also might be easier for the clean up, you could line the sides and he won’t be at your level if he does go to spray.
Another trigger could be the smell of the other animals on you. Rabbits have a very keen sense of smell. Do you have other rabbits? i.e. that cutie in your avatar?
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