Learning Experience: Crazy Bunny!

[Jessie1990]

I have had Ash for about 3 weeks. He is very social and loves to jump all over my boyfriend and I. Recently he has become EXTREMELY territorial of his space. This began after we decided to bring a second rabbit into the house because we found out that Korra was about to be sold as snake food… Korra is probably even younger than Ash but looks larger due to her extremely thick fur. Both rabbits are housed separately for the time being and live in different parts of the apartment. They even play in separate areas because I am afraid if Ash smells Korra he might start spraying. 

In the last few days Ash’s behavior has gotten increasingly naughty. I can’t put anything in his cage if he can see my hand in there. He will charge across the room if he sees my hand go towards his cage with his ears back and sometimes he grunts. I tried to use a spray bottle but now he attempts to claw me if he thinks he will be sprayed. I can even say “pssst” like a spray bottle and it sets him off. So I can’t use that method for preventing digging either. I just try to push him away and say no without making him too mad. 

Because of this behavior I have set up the bunnies first vet visit. My problem is that I have no idea how old either of them are, but the vet asked me to bring both in and if they are not old enough it will just be a check up. I asked all the suggested questions to “test” the vet and she seems very knowledgeable about rabbits. She even said to bring the whole cage with food and water because it’s unsafe for rabbits to have an empty stomach. I am really hoping Ash is old enough to be neutered and if Korra is not, that is fine because she is very well behaved and I can wait a few months longer lol. 

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with Ash’s behavior? As of right now I wear a glove and push his head down if I need to feed him in the morning (I don’t have time to take him out at that time so he can see what I’m doing.) Also, when we first got Korra she would not eat hay and her poop was tiny and a few were even a little mushy. She is eating now but I have to mix it with Alfalfa. Is this okay?

[Beka27]

On Ash, do you see testicles or small mounds on the lower underside of his belly? Once the testicles are descended, that’s when they can be neutered. His behavior seems pretty normal for a young hormonal bunny. Getting him neutered ASAP, should help to greatly minimize this over the next couple months. It’s possible he smells Korra, but it’s also possible this is just hormones. It’s good you’re keeping them separated since you are unsure of ages. They should remain separated until both are fixed.

[tanlover14]

Hey there, concerning Ash I agree with Beka. He really is sounding like a hormonal mess, LOL. The behavior you’re describing are behaviors very typical to males becoming hormonal.

Mixing alfalfa into Korras hay should be fine until you see a vet and can find out age as long as it’s not too long of a wait. She just may not like the other hay, I would try some Orchard Grass or Oat and see if she takes to one of those instead while you’re waiting for her to be seen.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree with the others. All bunnies are territorial, unfixed buns much more so, so what you are seeing is a mix of territorial and sexual frustration. They know there is another bunny in the house. They will be able to smell the other rabbit on your clothes.

Best of luck at the vet appointment.

After they are speutered, they will most likely still be “crazy” for some time as it takes several weeks for the hormones to fully die down.

ps. Thank you for saving that bunny from such an awful fate!

[Jessie1990]

I think Korra is picking through the hay and not eating her timothy hay… so I will be picking up Oat hay tomorrow. I can’t find Orchard Grass anywhere. I am very worried about her health. She does not eat nearly the amount of food that Ash eats. She is pooping normal pellets, but not as many.

Also, I have been trying to flip Ash to see if his testicles have dropped, but he will not sit still. I realize that it is necessary to be able to hold him still to trim his nails but I get deep scratches if I try to hold him still. Korra just lets me flip her over and usually will set still. I have not tried the bunny burrito so I may try that. Thanks so much for the tips and input.

@ LPT it was actually the bf that really wanted Korra. I had asked the bf to come with me because I wanted him to see the new bunnies they had got in at the farmstore where I buy Ash’s hay. I had my eye on Korra, but I was not seriously considering buying her because I’m pretty tight on money and space. The bf really wanted her after he met her, but I really wanted to wait until I had a better place to keep Ash to get him a buddy. Well, we left and decided we would think about the situation a little bit.

I went back the next day to see if she was still there… she was the only lop left out of the 6 that were there. I had brought my carrier in case I ended up getting her and asked where the other bunnies had gone. The cashier said that a man had bought 10 about ten minutes ago. I went back to watch the rabbits for a bit and heard from another employee that the guy who bought the rabbits also has pythons and that her friend had dated him awhile ago. We talked for a bit and that’s how I learned where the rabbits went… Anyway, she said that the buy would probably be back in several times because the rabbits were so cheap. I walked over and put Korra in my carrier immediately! and that is how I ended up with two rabbits in my apartment that is half covered with gaming wires… (Not the smartest decision) The apartment now belongs to the rabbits, other than the living room, which is still my bf’s gaming area. He has been talking about bunny proofing his area too LOL. He really loves Korra and talks to her with nose twitches all the time. Ash is my little guy.

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