Chinning?

[Juste]

Hello everyone
So recently my bunny started to rub her chin on everything. Up until now she haven't done it, and now she can't pass anything without chinning i just wonder is there a reason why now?
At first i thought that she have a itchy spot there or something, but i guess she would just scratch with a paw it that's the reason.
She especially interested in my drawers handles

 

[Karaliene]

Hey!
Chinning is actually something rabbits do to mark something - or someone, haha - as theirs. Like, your bunny has obviously taken a fancy to your drawer handles and is trying to mark them as hers so everyone else knows it's her property. I wonder if it's because she's feeling more confident and at home? Although that would only really apply if she were quite new to your family. I don't have a lot of experience - though I do have a lot of so-called 'textbook knowledge' so it might be a good idea not to rely on my opinion alone.

 

[zuppa]

Hi. Rabbits have scent glands under their chins and chinning is like marking their territory

 

[Juste]

Hey!
Chinning is actually something rabbits do to mark something - or someone, haha - as theirs. Like, your bunny has obviously taken a fancy to your drawer handles and is trying to mark them as hers so everyone else knows it's her property. I wonder if it's because she's feeling more confident and at home? Although that would only really apply if she were quite new to your family. I don't have a lot of experience - though I do have a lot of so-called 'textbook knowledge' so it might be a good idea not to rely on my opinion alone.

We got her at 1 march so its nearly 3 months.

 

[Karaliene]

We got her at 1 march so its nearly 3 months.

Oh sweet... do you have pictures? What breed is she?

 

[Juste]

Hi. Rabbits have scent glands under their chins and chinning is like marking their territory

I know that, i just wonder why she never done this before, and now she feel the need to mark everything

 

[Juste]

Oh sweet... do you have pictures? What breed is she?

She is lionhead bunny

 

[Karaliene]

She is lionhead bunny
View attachment 48253View attachment 48255View attachment 48254

Ohh wow, she's adorable... she looks pretty young still am I right? She hasn't completely got her 'mane' yet so I guessed she might be. She's too cute!

 

[Mehidk]

I know that, i just wonder why she never done this before, and now she feel the need to mark everything

Things can change. They are your drawer handles, yes? You frequently open the drawers using those handles so eventually they start to smell more like you and less of her. Her chinning them is her way of saying "this is mine, remember that".

 

[Juste]

Ohh wow, she's adorable... she looks pretty young still am I right? She hasn't completely got her 'mane' yet so I guessed she might be. She's too cute!

Thank you! If I'm counting correctly, she should be almost 6 months and 3 weeks. I think..

 

[Juste]

Things can change. They are your drawer handles, yes? You frequently open the drawers using those handles so eventually they start to smell more like you and less of her. Her chinning them is her way of saying "this is mine, remember that".

Yes, i guess. I wonder what other new behaviours she will show in time now it is really funny to watch her running around and rubbing her chin on everything she can reach, like she never been in that room

 

[Mehidk]

Yes, i guess. I wonder what other new behaviours she will show in time now it is really funny to watch her running around and rubbing her chin on everything she can reach, like she never been in that room

She sounds like quite the character already! I've had my rabbit for 6 months now and to this day, I'm still seeing new little quirks from her.

 

[Karaliene]

Thank you! If I'm counting correctly, she should be almost 6 months and 3 weeks. I think..

Yes, i guess. I wonder what other new behaviours she will show in time now it is really funny to watch her running around and rubbing her chin on everything she can reach, like she never been in that room

So almost 7 months, huh? My brain just went *click click whir whir* and then I had a lightbulb moment; is she spayed? This could be hormonal behaviour...?

 

[Juste]

So almost 7 months, huh? My brain just went *click click whir whir* and then I had a lightbulb moment; is she spayed? This could be hormonal behaviour...?

No, she is not spayed yet.

 

[Karaliene]

No, she is not spayed yet.

'yet' I'm so glad... too many pet owners think spaying / neutering is unnecessary. Anyways, before I start ranting, do you think it could be something to do with that?

 

[Juste]

'yet' I'm so glad... too many pet owners think spaying / neutering is unnecessary. Anyways, before I start ranting, do you think it could be something to do with that?

I think that actually would make sense!
From what i read online, it is suggested to wait till 6 months..so that what i was thinking to do. But now due to lockdown vet is not doing neutering. As soon as they open up again i will get her spayed, i am checking online every day

 

[Karaliene]

I think that actually would make sense!
From what i read online, it is suggested to wait till 6 months..so that what i was thinking to do. But now due to lockdown vet is not doing neutering. As soon as they open up again i will get her spayed, i am checking online every day

Ahh yes, it must be such a pain for you! The bunnies I'm getting (it's a trio... a young 'oopsie' Mama and her daughters, a REW and two BEWs) are already spayed as I'm adopting. But I can imagine it's hard to wait!

 

[zuppa]

I know that, i just wonder why she never done this before, and now she feel the need to mark everything

If you got her at 2 months she was still a baby and babies are never territorial so she is getting older now and now needs to mark it. Some rabbits become hormonal at 3,5 months, some later, latest I personally know was 8 months old, it depends on an individual rabbit, also breed and other factors like if you have another pet or maybe you leave your scent on those handles and she feels need to mark them again. My Smokey re-chin everything after I clean her place with vinegar. She's very territorial, she's 1 year and a half now and not spayed. Other girl Bernie is 2 years next week and she never chins. But she'd mark a new rug with many many berries. All rabbits are different and also they can change when growing, changing their character and habits.

Honestly I am a bit confused now I saw your Instagram and thought there was stated that it's a boy, I was surprised since name Diva I'd expect a girl, and now you say that it's a girl so I am lost now

 

[Juste]

Ahh yes, it must be such a pain for you! The bunnies I'm getting (it's a trio... a young 'oopsie' Mama and her daughters, a REW and two BEWs) are already spayed as I'm adopting. But I can imagine it's hard to wait!

Yes, that's the plus of adoption that you get already neutered pet. But i have someone at household that say "oh you dont know what you get from there..."

 

[Karaliene]

Yes, that's the plus of adoption that you get already neutered pet. But i have someone at household that say "oh you dont know what you get from there..."

I had the same objections... (also )!