So confused with my bunny’s behavior.

[BunniiQueen]

Hi my name is Trinity and my bunny’s name is Boo and I received her as a gift for Christmas last year (2016) and my parents bought her from a pet store and unfortunately, they were very unclear of the bunny’s age, sex, and breed. We did some research, figured she was a baby at the time and that she was a girl, her breed still unclear.

But my main focus is how to approach Boo’s new behaviors. I’ve been meaning to take her to a vet to get checked out, because Boo hates when I go to pick her up, so there was no way I could check myself. But she’s been chewing a lot, her urine has a stronger smell, and she just humped a pillow today. (The humping I found hilarious because it caught me off guard )

If anyone knows any suggestions or help in any shape or form please reply!

Btw, I live near the Fayetteville area of NC and I don’t know any good vets that care for buns. So please if you’re near my area, let me know some really good vets I can hopefully take Boo too and it won’t run my pockets empty.

[Billie's bunnies]

Maybe a bunny friend may help with the socialization, and chewing is because of bordem so maybe toys or another bunny the keep Boo entertained, I would recommended building up trust with boo by hand feeding and maybe start with patting her first before picking her up make sure she is comfortable and when you pick her up that it is calm and she is not being chased or anything, Hope that helps a bit good luck

[Deleted User]

http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

This is a great resource to find a rabbit savvy vet in your area. Rabbits don’t like to be picked up so try to restrain from picking up unless you have to. They are prey animals and it makes them scared to be picked up, rabbits can get stressed very easily and stress can cause a number of health problems. How old is she? Rabbits start to sexually mature around 3 months of age, and they will begin “marking” (peeing) on things around the house, as well as digging/chewing which is a natural instinctive behavior for them. I know you said you don’t know her exact age, but seeing as she is humping I would bet that she is maturing. I’m not sure if your parents were aware when they bought the rabbit, but it is important to get her spayed, even if you don’t have another rabbit to get her pregnant. The spay will remove her ovaries and uterus and stop production of those mating hormones, so her marking/digging/chewing behavior should improve with a spay. Also, female rabbits are very at risk (up to 80%) for reproductive cancer as early as 2 years old. Spaying significantly reduces (if not eliminates) this possibility. Her behavior sounds completely normal for a bun in sexual maturity.

[Deleted User]

Also, do not get a second rabbit as a friend unless both are spayed/neutered. They will also need 1 month apart after the procedure for recovery and to allow the hormones to dissipate. Contrary to what some people think, you cannot just put two rabbits together and make them friends. You have to go through a process called bonding, and it can be a long and stressful process. You’ll want to be experienced in bunny care and get acclimated to one rabbit before you try to introduce another.

[BunniiQueen]

Thank you guys soooo much! Very helpful. I’ll be calling/looking vets today. If anybody else stumbles upon this please feel free to drop other suggestions. Different methods work on different bunnies.

[Tim&Alfie]

As BunNoob said, it seems like Boo is maturing. You will want to get her spayed ASAP. Just a tip, if she sprays on anything fabric, it will be very difficult to get the smell out. Wash it with vinegar and detergent. If she sprays on something else, (furniture, floor, walls), use a 1 part to 1 part solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

[DanaNM]

I agree that it sounds like she is maturing, so you should get her spayed if at all possible. 

That said, my spayed girl still chews and digs a lot. So in the meantime (and even probably after her spay), you’ll want to do a combo of giving her lots of things that are OK to chew on, plus bunny-proofing things she should not chew on. 

Heavy ceramic tiles from the hardware store are the best way I’ve found to protect problem areas of the carpet. In a pinch you can also layer cardboard over those areas, but it doesn’t look great and has to be replaced once she chews through it. 

Phone books for shredding, cardboard boxes, cardboard cat scratchers, willow or apple sticks are all good inexpensive ways of satisfying that urge to chew and dig. I find my bunnies need a combo of textures (from wood down to paper). 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[BunniiQueen]

Thanks DanaNM, I have applesticks from a previous trip to the store, but she never chewed on them til I recently put them in her cage. I’ll be sure to find more toys let alone still work on finding a vet. Thanks everyone, anyone else who stumbles upon this feel free to give advice all is appreciated!

[joea64]

If you do decide to adopt a second bunny and you need help bonding the new one with Boo, you should contact your local rabbit rescue (check with Triangle Rabbits, the HRS’ North Carolina chapter). Most such groups help with the bonding either for free, or for a small fee, and you’ll have the distinct advantage of getting expert help.

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