Why doesn’t my bunny look happy after neutering?

[kittyjung]

Hello,

I notice Chao-Guay doesn’t look happy after neutering. He always sits and does nothing. No binkie, flopping, or bunny 500. I feel really sad if I make his personality change. So, I am just curious if anyone have the same experience and what should I do to make Chao-Guay happy again?

Here is Chao-Guay’s background:

Chao-Guay is a 3-year-old male. I got him since he was 10 weeks old. He wasn’t neutered, but he was soooo good. He was free roam the whole 3,500 sq house. He was always happy, never dug carpets, chewed power cords, or poops or pees outside his little box. He never ate non-stop. He was binkies, flopping, and bunny 500 all the time. I never thought I would neuter him because he had no behavior issue. Until, I heard people said bunny needs friends. So, I adopted another bunny, Penie, a-4.5 year old female. She was sprayed. I could tell Chao-Guay loved Penie, but he couldn’t control his hormone. He sprayed on her! But not any where else. So, I decided to neuter him. He was almost gone the first night. It was so scary. 

Now, it has been a month after the neuter. Chao-Guay and Penie become a buddy. Chao-Guay isn’t allowed to run the whole house anymore (still almost half of the house) because of Penie. She is so high energy and loves to chew. She needs supervise when she gets out of the area. 

Sorry for the long story and thank you for your recommendations.

Thanks.

[MountainBuns]

Maybe he just misses his free roaming, what exactly makes him look unhappy, is he not as active, angry or just acting very different?

[Sofia]

He might miss his free roaming. Don’t really know what you could do about it, give him plenty of toys and treats and if might boost his mood a little bit. They’re adorable btw

[MountainBuns]

Yup they definitely are very cute!

[kurottabun]

Have they gone through an official bonding process after being spayed and neutered, or were they just put together?

Bonded bunnies would usually be quite happy since they now have a mate to cuddle with.

[kittyjung]

Hi kurottabun, what is an official bonding process? Chao-Guay and Penie were introduced each other before Chao-Guay was neutered. She was already fixed. They saw each other through the cage and spent an hour x 2 daily for a month. At that time, they were great. Never fight. Chao-Guay tried to hump Penie (not too crazy) but ended up sprayed on her. Penie loved to stay next to Chao-Guay while she was in the cage. They would back to back together, kissing and licking each other. But once they were out of the cage, Penie didn’t want to stay next to Chao-Guay for long because he sprayed on her. But again, no sign of any aggression.

After Chao-Guay got neutered, they saw each other through the cage, but no physical contact for 10 days. On day 11, they started to grooming each other, playing together, and laying next to each other. On day 14, they started to share the bedroom since they were so good. Chao-Guay never sprayed or hump Penie again after the neutered. And she loves to follow him everywhere he goes.

Sorry for a long story, but I didn’t know if Chao-Guay and Penie went through the official bonding process or not. If not, what I have to do.

Oh…I forget to mention, now Chao-Guay loves to have his private time once in a while. For example, he would get away from Penie for a few hours for nap and came back to stay with her again. My first thought was concern but they seem to agree with this routine and look happy.

[kurottabun]

Hmm it sounds like their bond isn’t very stable. I recommend you to start a new topic under the BONDING section of this forum. You could write what you just did in the above post and ask for opinions there instead – more people would be able to see it and advise

[kittyjung]

Thank you. I will do that.

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