Running around my feet

[Samicles]

Since Nimmy has had his cast off and pin out he’s been a very happy and active bunny. He’s also begun to make noises, which scared the crap out of me at first, I thought he was having trouble breathing so I researched it but he’s actually just honking . I’ve never had a vocal bunny before, it was so strange but now I love it. He’s also been running around my feet when I’m walking around (he’s done it before but a lot more now that the cast is off). Though I still trip over him occasionally I do enjoy when he runs around my feet. We’ve actually made a game out of it, running around the room. Although it never lasts more than five minutes before he gets too excited for himself and just binkies all over the place rather than chasing me.

Anyways onto the actual point. I’ve looked into the running around my feet business a little and found out it’s because the bunny is really horny. Now since Nimmy isn’t neutered yet (school and work have gotten crazy busy!) it made sense why he runs around my feet. And when he’s really horny he’ll honk. 

So when I get him neutered will this behavior completely stop? Does anyone have spayed/neutered rabbits that still run around their feet or is it strictly a mating ritual? Of course I’ll be getting him neutered by next month regardless, I’m just curious.

[Mocha]

Some bunnies are more “vocal” even after their fixed, but most of it does have to do with hormones.

Yes, he is doing it because he wants to mate with your feet, or mark you as his. Neutering will definitely decrease urine spraying, hormonal issues, and aggressiveness, so get him neutered as soon as you can!

I have a bonded pair, a girl and a boy both about 2 years I think. The boy, Rumpus, will only grunt when he is really annoyed or scared, as with the girl Mocha. (not becaue they’re horny). Mocha will sometimes hump Rumpus though, but it’s more of a dominance thing. Rumpus sometimes, rarely, still runs around Mocha in circles thinking he can mate with her.

[Megabunny]

Yeah the behavior will stop after neutering. I know how awesome that is to have them do it, but it’s their hormones talking, not their true personality, so think of it that way. But he will still want to come running when he hears you in the room and such. Not as much as before, but the benefits of neutering will outweigh the bad.

[Hazel]

The circling might stop, or it might not. My bunny Oscar has been neutered for a year now and he runs around my feet every day, it’s impossible to walk through his room without tripping over him or my own feet. He doesn’t do it because of hormones anymore, but rather because he’s looking for a treat. It’s especially bad when it’s time for him to go in his cage, because he knows there’s a treat coming. So, Nimmy might stop this after being neutered, or he might continue, just for different reasons. Lots of bunnies circle their owners feet when they want something, usually food.

[Megabunny]

Just because you have a J. Woolley doesn’t mean you can show off Hazel!! My sweet boys both stopped that behavior. Now I’m jealous yours kept it up! :-(. Oh, and I was at a very small rabbit show recently and saw black and white Wooleys. Boy did I want one! I’ve never seen one in real life!

[Hazel]

Posted By Megabunny on 11/17/2014 9:04 PM

Just because you have a J. Woolley doesn’t mean you can show off Hazel!! My sweet boys both stopped that behavior. Now I’m jealous yours kept it up! :-(. Oh, and I was at a very small rabbit show recently and saw black and white Wooleys. Boy did I want one! I’ve never seen one in real life!

Sorry Mb! The Wooly in my avatar is actually our previous bun. But he used to circle my feet as well, so I guess that just makes it worse for you. I’m sorry yours didn’t keep it up. Maybe you should try standing there with a tasty treat and not give it to them for a while. If you wait long enough, they might just do it! Don’t give up!!

You found black and white Woolies?? Wow, I don’t know how you could resist, you’re stronger than me!

[Kyrkogrimr]

Puck still runs around my feet, or around me if I’m sitting down. Sometimes it’s just once or twice, sometimes he’ll go at it for a while if he’s not interrupted, so there’s nothing to say for sure that Nimmy will stop running around your feet once you get him neutered, but yes, there’s a chance it’ll stop if he only does it for hormonal reasons. Can’t say for sure, but Puck just seems to like running in circles

[Megabunny]

Yeah, Hazel. I was sorely tempted to look into one of those. They’ve been on my bucket list and now I find I’ve moved to a state with at least one person who breeds them. Gus loved the little fuzzy lop I had for awhile (she was always sickly and died) but he’s keeping me plenty busy as well as fearful of another rabbit that might need vet attention. He’s costing me a small fortune and I’m a bit gun shy at this point about any more pets…as long as I have the dog and rabbit around.

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