Neutered bunny has bad habits

[Gregmo]

We got our bunny neutered last week (we’ve had him for almost a year) and he has since reverted back to all his bad habits we trained him out of the first week we brought him home.  Chewing carpet and baseboards and trying to burrow…..   We used to let him run around the house where ever he wants and now he can’t be left unsupervised.  Everything we read was that a neutered bunny would be more passive and that any bad habits would be easier rectified.  We are experiencing the opposite. 

Oh and he has plenty to chew on and play with…he just wants carpet instead.   Grrrrrrrr

[Bam]

It is very common for bunnies to go through sth that’s often called a post-neuter craze. It generally subsides after 2-4 weeks. In some buns, it may take up to 8 weeks. It’s normal and has to do with fluctuating hormone-levels. Sex-hormones don’t disappear the moment the bunny is neutered, they persist for a while until they are finally broken down by the body. During this first time after the neuter you might see other “symptoms” as well, such as aggression, territoriality, pee- and poop-marking, excessive humping. Bear with him, he can’t help it =)

A post-neuter craze is the most likely explanation for his behavior-change. Another, much less likely explanation, would be pain in and around the incision-area. Is he healing like he should? No swelling, seepage, redness, increased warmth, efforts at chewing at or licking the area? Is he eating and pooping?

[Gregmo]

No swelling or seepage or redness. And he is eating and pooping. Not eating the treats he couldn’t get enough of before the op, but his eating is still robust.

[LBJ10]

I agree with Bam. Give him some time. He will likely get better once everything has settled.

[Bam]

It does sound like a healthy boy going through a normal post-neuter craze.

[Gregmo]

Whew. Thanks guys. I’ll give it another few weeks before getting all worked up again

[Author]

Messages