Uncontrolled urinating

[BUN-BUNS]

I have a neutered mini lop with a major urinating issue. Every time he binkies, he throws urine (usually on me!). He’s not spraying.  There’s no odor. I’m loathe to get rid of him but if I can’t get a handle on this, I don’t know if I have a choice. Not sure if it’s medical or behavior.

[Wick & Fable]

Urine exiting upon binkying is actually spraying — a few things come to mind:

1. Though rare, sometimes neuters can be unsuccessful or there can be some medical conditions which facilitate hormonal behaviors in rabbits who have seemingly gone through a neuter already. This would be medical-related, so having your rabbit assessed by a rabbit-experienced exotic vet is required to assess whether this may be the case.
2. If not spraying, the fact that there is excessive urination or inability to control urination may be a medical problem, such as a UTI or something else. Again, this would require veterinary assessment.
3. If spraying/marking related, you can consider whether there are other rabbits or scents of other rabbits/animals in the environment that may be facilitating this behavior. Even when fixed, rabbits will still display hormonal behavior in response to another rabbit and sometimes other animal scents as well.

Ultimately, whether it is medical or behavioral, you need to have a rabbit-experienced exotic vet rule it out — it’s not something that can be self-diagnosed at home.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[DanaNM]

I agree that sounds exactly like spraying! How long ago was he neutered? It can take a few weeks for hormonal behaviors to calm down.

How long has this behavior been going on? Have there been any changes in your house? Like new pets, people, or furniture?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Bam]

If the problem is recent, it could be due to the increase in daylight that occurs this time of year. I had a neutered male who started marking this time of year. It lasted a few weeks. It only happened one year. Most testosteron is produced by the testes, but when the testes are removed by neutering, there still remains some testosterone production in the adrenal glands, in both male and female rabbits.

Launching pee on the favorite human (or other pet) while binkying is classic rabbit courtship behavior.

I’d have this assessed by a vet if it doesn’t subside in a few weeks.

[Author]

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