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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Brand new humping behavior

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    • hooty22
      Participant
      606 posts Send Private Message

        Hello everyone!! I’ve been gone far too long. I hope everyone is doing well and my condolences to those have had a loved one cross the bridge.

        So as some of you may remember, I live in Felony’s house, who is an almost 6 year old male, un-altered lionhead. I’ve had Fel since he was just under 5 weeks old. I was blessed with his good behavior. He wasn’t destructive, he’s always had great litter habits, he’s never sprayed or humped. He’s been around a kitten that I housed until I could find it a good home for about 2 months and he’s been around my boyfriend’s mom’s cats. We had an understanding that as long as he was well behaved and never showcased those terrible “coming of age” traits, he wouldn’t have to go into surgery to be fixed.

        At the end of June we found four 4 week old kittens that were born in our garage and had terrible eye infections. We took them into the vet, and the vet felt that even though they were so young, they probably wouldn’t make it too much longer unless we brought them to give them medication. We kept the kittens separated from Felony until they were healthy and then we started to slowly introduce them. They got along good enough, lots of ignoring of each other, some playing headbutts from Felony, it was fine…until yesterday. He became very, very interested in the kittens. Following them, snuggling, presenting his head for grooming, and, eek, humping. He’s never, ever, ever humped anything in the almost 6 years he’s been with me.

        Do you think this is something that will pass once he feels he has sufficiently shown that he’s the Big Bun, or do you think he’s experiencing some type of delayed adolescence? The kittens think that he is wrestling with them, so they kind of playfully bat and wrap their paws around him. He’s not being overly aggressive and there aren’t injuries or offended feelings. Is Felony too old to get fixed?

         

        Sorry there’s a lot in there, but thanks ahead for your ideas/experiences.


      • jerseygirl
        Moderator
        22338 posts Send Private Message

          Wanted to say Hi! It’s so weird as I was thinking of Felony just 2 wks ago and about members we don’t hear from much now.

          Good to hear the Fluffer is generally in good health. I’m sort of curious to see what others suggest as my 6yr old male bun has become increasingly “humpy” also. No felines here but there have been new rabbits. I suppose they feel need to establish their position when the home dynamic changes?
          I’m finding it hard to work out if it’s related to heiracy, hormones (he’s desexed) or if underlying health issue triggering it (like a displaced behaviour). All things possible with Felony too.

          Sorry, I’m not much help.


        • hooty22
          Participant
          606 posts Send Private Message

            I’m really hoping he’s just trying to establish the heirarchy because it definitely escalated from him presenting his head for grooming, and the kittens somewhat complied. They would rub their own faces against his but sometimes they would do that “what are you doing?” kitten tap on the head. The humping isn’t aggressive, I’m just worried that he’s so into being around the kittens now that he might end up stressing himself out. I’m going to give a week or two to see if passes, and if it doesn’t I’ll take him to the vet to see if I should get him fixed.
            Looking back on it, I probably should have gotten him fixed when still a youngster, but he was just so good and never displayed any of the problem behaviors that come with an unaltered male bunny turning into a man.
            He’s eating and pooping the same, he hasn’t been spraying or marking and his litter box habits are still good. I think this all points to hopefully him just trying to literally and figuratively be the Top Bun.


          • jerseygirl
            Moderator
            22338 posts Send Private Message

              In that case, you probably should see it lessen in time. A friend of mine has a group of male rabbits together and they accept new ones readily. Sometimes there’s a bit if humping initially but they seem to get it out of their systems and then find different way to interact.

              A check up is not a bad idea if he hasnt had one recently.
              You might consider getting bloodwork done regardless of whether you go ahead with the neuter.

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          Forum BEHAVIOR Brand new humping behavior