Litter training: One step forward, two steps back?

[Starah]

Hello!
I just wanted to ask opinions on new behaviours from one of my buns;
Pascal took to the litter box like a dream, immediately he was peering there and nowhere else. Patsy on the other hand was a bit confused by the concept and would pee in any spot of the hutch or play area, different spots each time too so it was a bit complicated training her! Patsy seems to be getting the hang of it now though, with just the occasional accidental puddle!
BUT Pascal now seems to be peeing all over the place! I was wondering what you guys thought could be the cause of this: is he getting grown up and territorial peeing? (It’s definitely not spraying, definitely peeing!) or could it be that now that Patsy is using the litter tray more, he is being pushed out?
This has only been happening a couple of days though.

(Just a side note, both buns now 13 weeks, still living together as this was ‘ok-ed’ by the vet last Saturday – Patsy had an ear infection and was desperate for comfort from Pascal, their bond is very strong. At the appointment last week the vet said Pascal was not yet physically capable of creating an oops litter so they’ve stayed together longer. Neither of them have shown any hormonal behaviours, no biting of humping etc, so is this the start of Pascal growing up? They have a check up in a couple of days, so hopefully vet will be happy to arrange a neuter then if mr is *ahem* big enough!)

[Elrohwen]

Yes, this is likely due to hormones and growing up.

Be careful about keeping them together. Females can be old enough to breed not much older than they are now. Also, even after he is neutered, he will have viable sperm for up to a month, so unless she is also spayed, they will not be safe to keep together.

[Starah]

Thanks!
They were due to be separated already, but I delayed it because Patsy was poorly. She’s much better now thankfully!
Hopefully the vet will be happy for Pascal to be neutered and I can book him in at their check up!
It’s a shame Patsy will still be too little to be spayed – it would’ve been good to get them both fixed together then seperated until healed then re-bond, rather than having to seperate twice! But bunnies health comes first!

[Author]

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