Hormones in rabbits can be the cause of many unwanted behaviors and can be quite the eye opener if you are unfamiliar with them. Rabbits are complex and sensitive creatures, and much of their behavior is deeply influenced by their hormones. From sudden mood changes to territorial habits and breeding instincts, understanding how hormones affect your rabbit is key to providing proper care. Hormones impact behavior, health, and the overall well-being, yet once you understand them you can manage these changes to ensure a happy and balanced life for your rabbit.
Mid-July through August, shelters, rescues and sanctuaries are inundated with unwanted or abandoned rabbits. Why? Well one reason is those cute lil baby bunnies that are purchased as Easter gifts have now become out of control adolescent hormonal rabbits. You may be thinking “but it’s only 4-6 months old, how can it be a teenager?”.
The fact of the matter is, taking into consideration the life span and size of a rabbit, these are the months that hormonal behaviors begin to be exerted. Note: not every rabbit will exhibit all of these and not every rabbit will experience them at the same age. A good rule of thumb is 3-6 months. Smaller breeds typically develop quicker than larger breeds.
Some of the unfortunate by-products of raging hormones include many unwanted behaviors such as spraying urine, litter box regression, aggression and biting, destructive chewing and digging (although based on my own rabbit brood I find this can continue), and if you have multiple rabbits then you may see mounting & humping, growling & boxing as well as biting & nipping.
Baby girl bunnies can also go through a personality change making them moodier than normal and not so cuddly. The only “cute” behavior may be if your bunny is seeking extra love and starts circling your feet & honking (with this you must be careful not to step on your bunny though).
Hormones and their Behaviors
Spraying
Spraying is mainly exhibited by male rabbits although females can do this is well. It is done to mark their territory. This hormone filled urine can be quite smelly and leave a residue on walls and carpets. Once the hormones are decreased and bun starts to use the litter box again, this behavior will end and you will have no smell.
Litter Box Regression
Babies may start out using a litter box especially if they are in a cage with their mama, but once the hormones kick in, they will start going anywhere and everywhere. I must admit this can become quite frustrating especially if you have just cleaned their area and minutes later the floor is covered in pee and poop. Rabbits are very easy to litter train after they have been fixed, usually within days of their surgery.
Mounting & Humping:
This can be a touchy subject if you have small kids and find yourself needing to explain what is going on! Rabbits do this not just as a sexual expression, but to exert dominance. When you have multiple rabbits one has to become the alpha. If you don’t have multiple or bonded rabbits, they may still do this behavior with a stuffed toy, blanket or even your leg.
Noises
Although rabbits are relatively quiet, growling and honking are noises a bunny can make while hormonal. Growling can be the rabbits way of saying “stay away” or “this is mine” and you probably should listen as he or she may become aggressive. Honking can mean something similar if you try to pick them up and they don’t want to be disturbed, but it can also be a sound of love. If honking accompanies your rabbit circling your feet, you may want to show them some extra attention.
Chewing
One exasperating behavior is the chewing of EVERYTHING! From baseboards to carpets to pillows and couches. Rabbits, particularly during adolescence and when experiencing hormonal changes, often exhibit this increased behavior. This is a natural instinct driven by a combination of factors including tooth grinding, territorial marking, and stress relief.
Other Behaviors
There are other behaviors that while they can be exasperating, they are physical and can be very dangerous. Aggression, lunging, boxing, biting, nipping and scratching can be painful when experienced.
Stopping Hormonal Behaviors
Spaying and neutering is the most proactive way to stop hormones from raging. These procedures should be a priority not only to stop these behaviors, but for health reasons as well. An improvement in your bunny’s behavior should be seen once the hormones have decreased which takes approximately 5-6 weeks post surgery. Keep your rabbits separate if you have a boy and girl because she can still get pregnant.
The cost of spaying and neutering may seem prohibitive, but there are options. The first of which is to adopt your new pet rabbit. Most rescues and sanctuaries will have had this procedure done before adoption. The other option is to acquire health insurance.
According to The House Rabbit Society there are a handful of rabbits that do have a heightened hormonal level and fixing them may not solve all the behavior problems. The adrenal gland also produces sexual hormones. According to their article from 2004, University of Tennessee was working on establishing what a normal hormone range should be for fixed bunnies. An injection of Lupron was found to be successful in altering the high hormone level of rabbits after neutering.
Final Thoughts…
Recognizing the powerful influence of hormones on your rabbit’s behavior and health is essential for being a responsible and compassionate owner. By understanding these natural changes, you can better manage challenges like aggression, territoriality, and stress, while also making informed decisions about spaying or neutering. With the right care and awareness, you can help your rabbit navigate hormonal shifts comfortably, fostering a calmer, healthier, and more fulfilling life together.
Sources:
- Deeb, Barbara DVM “Sex Hormones In Altered Rabbits” Rabbit.org
- San Diego House Rabbit Society “Why Does My Rabbit Do That?”
- Harriman, Marinell “Age Related Behavior” Rabbit.org
