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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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 Behaviour of rabbits upon puberty

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    • NeenyBunny
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        I adopted a baby dwarf lionhead 2 months ago from the pet store. When we brought him home, he showed affection right away. He would crawl into our laps on his own, give us millions of kisses, and was generally a big sucky sweetheart.

        Since he started showing what I understand are signs of rabbit puberty and maturing, he wont let us pet him, and he won’t show us any affection… He’s also started to become a very skittish rabbit.

        Is this something we can attribute to him reaching puberty, or is it possibly our behaviour and habits that are changing his personality?

        Also, once he is neutered, can we expect some of his sweet personality traits to return?

        Any advice is appreciated!

        Note: the “signs of rabbit puberty” I am referring include mounting and humping my other rabbit, and destructive behaviour (i.e. scratching and chewing the rug)


      • drwil
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          They do this when they are teenagers.
          Older rabbits actually seem to make better pets as they are more mellow.
          Our bunnies became calmer around 2 to 2.5 years of age.
          We have one teen bunny and she is a typical teen.
          Let him run around until he is tired then give him a treat after he calms down. Then pet him while he eats.


        • drwil
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            Forgot to add if he chews a synthetic rug it can kill him. We almost lost one of our girls from rug fiber induced stasis. Consider a natural fiber rug.


          • LBJ10
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              He isn’t housed with your other rabbit, is he? Is your other bunny spayed/neutered?

              As for behavior, this sounds pretty normal. Baby bunnies are just that. Babies. And when they are babies, they can be very very sweet and affectionate. Then hormones take over and that all goes out the window. If he is an affectionate rabbit by nature, you can probably expect to see some of that affectionate behavior return after he has been neutered. It takes about 4-6 weeks post-neuter before their hormones stabilize. Don’t expect him to be exactly the same as when he was a baby though. The vast majority of bunnies do not like the be held as adults. That doesn’t mean they aren’t affectionate and he make go back to seeking out attention in his own way. Some of this comes with age too. Definitely get him neutered though. It will make him a happier bunny.

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          Forum BEHAVIOR Behaviour of rabbits upon puberty