Old man horn dog

[Jordo]

We have a bonded pair of free-range fixed rabbits, Felix (10.5y) and Jane (~5y). They have been bonded for about 3 years. Although Felix is aged and going a little blind, we have noticed in the last few weeks he is suddenly _very_ frisky. Where once he would nap and snack all day he is now constantly pestering Jane, chasing her with his tail up trying to hump her, and Jane is having none of it. She’s a grump to begin with but with all of this unwanted attention, she is outright ornery and surly. Even if Felix is hopping up to her I nnocently, she has short fuse and starts to growl and charge at him, and that just starts the chasing over again.

I wanted to see if anyone else had a fixed rabbit who suddenly became a lecherous old man as he aged? Could this be caused by the loss of his sight? I’m afraid that their bond is at risk if this keeps up. I would prefer not to cage them, but a temporary separating could be manageable.

 

[JBun]

'Spring fever' can sometimes cause a surge of hormonal type behaviors, even in spayed/neutered rabbits. It usually will subside in a week or two.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/behaviour/hormonal-behaviour-neutered-rabbits/
But with the age of your rabbit, there is also the possibility of adrenal problems, which you would need to see your vet for to have the proper testing done to rule it in or out. Other underlying health problems can sometimes also be a cause for unusual changes of behavior.

https://rabbit.org/sex-hormones-in-altered-rabbits/
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/
I pretty much covered this same topic in this other thread a few days ago.

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threa...l-and-becoming-agressive.101728/#post-1174390

 

[Jordo]

Thank you very much for the informative reply. We’ll keep an eye on them for the next couple days to see if the behavior ebbs as spring soldiers on.

We have them booked in for their annual vet check up shortly, and will definitely follow up on the adrenal issue you mentioned.