My rabbits don’t binky anymore

[narkut]

I have two rabbits (male and female), both healthy, bonded and cage free house rabbits. Since they have been neutered/ spayed 6 weeks ago, their behaviours seem to have changed! They no longer seem as happy as they used to. They do not binky, or hop around the flat and they don’t play with any toys although they have so many! They also no longer want to be touched. They’ll run up to me when I walk in (although I assume this is just for food and treats) but as soon as I reach my hand out they recoil and run! Also thirdly, they seem to have forgotten litter training. They were 100% trained previously, however now they wee in random places and poo A LOT outside of the litter tray. Is all this behavioural change due to their neutering/ spaying? Will it cease over time? Or are they unhappy bunnies? It breaks my heart that they haven’t binkied in weeks! What should I do??? (I won’t start to tell you how guilty I feel for getting them neutered and spayed now!)

[Mikey]

Almost sounds to me like something wasnt right with the surgeries or healing. Were they given pain meds after? Were they eating/drinking/pooping normally during healing? Was there any irritations or blood at the wound sites? Are their stitches out now (if stitches were used)? Any changes in your flat during or after their surgeries?

Youll want to try rebuilding a bond with them. Lay on the floor and let them explore around you. They might jump on you. Dont try to pet them when they come near, just let them look, sniff, and wander. Once they get used to having you around with them, stick your arms out on the floor. Let them explore your hands and such (still, dont try to pet them). Once they get used to that, pet them every once in a while when they come near. Once theyre perfectly fine being pet now and then, try to play with them. Find interactive ways to get them to play. My buns like to chase me around as a way to play. One of mine likes to try to go in the bedroom then binkys and zooms out whenever hes caught (he thinks its hilarious hes not allowed in there)

[narkut]

Thanks Mikey! They have completely healed! No scars, they went back to eating, drinking and pooping normally within no time. They never seem to be pain or have any medical problems. I just think they’re attitude has changed.

Or could it be a change due to age? They’re no longer babies, they’re ‘young kids’ now I guess. Maybe rabbits go through a phase at this stage? Should I be worried that they haven’t binkied in ages?

I will definitely try your suggestions, thank you. I do sit on the floor with them every evening but I haven’t been able to resist touching them lol. I will stop doing that from now on until I have completed every stage you have suggested and until they are completely comfortable with me. Fingers crossed it doesn’t take too long!

Sounds like you have a cheeky little bunny there lol, I love getting to know their little unique characters!

[LittlePuffyTail]

It could be due to age or due to them calming down a bit from the spay/neuter. If it’s hot where you are, that could be a reason for the lack of binkies. I hardly ever see binkies at my house. When I do it’s a big exciting thing.

[Mikey]

Its possible their personalities just changed a bit. My little Bombur got a lot more timid after being neutered for whatever reason. We had to go through a few months of trust training with him, and he still has the first instinct to run and hide when he sees someone new. Before his neuter, he was very angry and aggressive, so the timidness isnt as bad as it seems compared to how angry he used to be. So, it is possible for rabbits to change after being fixed, but i dont think its common

I dont think it should take too long Rabbits are naturally more curious so it shouldnt get too long before they get comfortable with you being around them again. Petting might be a little harder, since some rabbits need to be ‘trained’ to enjoy being pet. Kind of like being picked up, it can make them feel uncomfortable. After you all bond a bit, youll learn to read their “happy” signs and their “unhappy signs”. Instead of binkying for happiness, maybe theyll run around or nudge you for attention

[narkut]

Thank you both, very informative!

[Author]

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