Question about bunny behavior

[Peneloppythebun]

Okay so my two year old female Holland lop for the past three days has been a bit bossy. Yesterday she was throwing her toys and around and making lots of noises. I only put her in her pen when I’m sleeping but lately she’s been making so much noises chewing the pen that I have to take her out and when I try to go back to bed she would stare at me and then jump on my bed and circle me and leave a present on a poop on my bed. She’s been doing this for 3 days now. I manage to get a bit more sleep today but on average I sleep for about 4 hours. She only does this at night from 12-8 am in the morning she’s fine because she sleeps during the day .Is this because she isn’t spayed yet? I can’t get her in because California is on lockdown and I called the vet early this month when I got her from her previous owner to get spayed but they are booked til may. I put my shirt that I wore in her pen since I thought maybe it could be separation problems but i come to find it’s not that. Also her pen is 4ft and she has lots of room in it she is majority free roamed in my room.

 

[Preitler]

Yes, normal. Spring fever, hormones are raging. You should see how my bunch of does acts up. Only Dotty, my spayed free range house bunny is her normal self.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

Yes, normal. Spring fever, hormones are raging. You should see how my bunch of does acts up. Only Dotty, my spayed free range house bunny is her normal self.

No wonder why she’s starting to act up, she starts digging on my bed and circling me and making those oinking sounds she jumped on my face how are your does acting are they acting up like crazy to? I want her to get spayed so bad.

 

[Preitler]

Yes, exactly like that. Also some chasing each other, and some tufts of fur flying.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

Yes, exactly like that.

So that means I’ll have to deal with it til may ): is there a way for me to calm her down? Wow! And I thought my bun was acting crazy. Are your buns able to live together if they are not spayed? I heard they can fight. I want to get my bun a friend but she’s not spayed and I just got her so I’m still working on the bonding process but so far she’s stuck like glue to me. I heard males are less bossy but they do spray

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I would lock her in her cage, you don't want her to chew the pen so don't let her do that. I would start by spraying a 1/2 lemon essential oil and 1/2 water mixture on the cage bars so that she won't chew them, but if she still chews them I would get this spray: https://www.amazon.com/Grannicks-Bi...d=1584636921&sprefix=apple+pet,aps,177&sr=8-5 (I would look at Walmart, it is cheaper there). I would continue to put your shirt in there so that she can smell you. For toy throwing I suggest earplugs. If you don't want to lock her in her cage I would put a playpen around your bed so she cannot jump up there.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

I would lock her in her cage, you don't want her to chew the pen so don't let her do that. I would start by spraying a 1/2 lemon essential oil and 1/2 water mixture on the cage bars so that she won't chew them, but if she still chews them I would get this spray: https://www.amazon.com/Grannicks-Bitter-Apple-Taste-Deterrent/dp/B001CCNG88/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1G5FYW81F64SN&keywords=apple+pet+spray&qid=1584636921&sprefix=apple+pet,aps,177&sr=8-5 (I would look at Walmart, it is cheaper there). I would continue to put your shirt in there so that she can smell you. For toy throwing I suggest earplugs. If you don't want to lock her in her cage I would put a playpen around your bed so she cannot jump up there.

I heard of that spray before I’m thinking about getting that and spraying it on the bars, I’m just going to listen to loud music and wear earphones while I fall asleep Or just sleep during the day so I don’t hear her toys being thrown around so loud. Does actual lemon and water work to spray down the pen ?I don’t have lemon essential oil at the moment.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

Lemon does work! This is the lemon that would I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QR6SS6...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=. It depends on the rabbit though. Some rabbits hate it while it doesn't even effect others.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

Lemon does work! This is the lemon that would I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QR6SS6...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=. It depends on the rabbit though. Some rabbits hate it while it doesn't even effect others.

I cut up some lemons and add it to water maybe I should squeeze the lemon juice and add it to there and put it in a spray bottle and sprayed it on the pen. I hope it works. I actually have lemon tree in the backyard I think it worked! She tried to chew the bar then stopped. I think it’s working! Yay! Thank you! Also is there any safe candles/ essential oils for bunnies?

 

[Preitler]

I wouldnt try essential oils and stuff. That is more of a lifestyle hype through clever marketing than anything reasonable, and candles pollute the air massivly. Just because something is "essential" or "natural" doesn't mean it's healthy or does any good.

Normal lemon can't do any harm, so that's worth a try. I think a pen around your bed, or putting your bed on several bricks would be an option worth a try. Locking her up when she's bristling with energy, hm, not what I would do. Making her a digging box and giving her tree branches to gnaw on might help too to burn off some energy.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I believe that candles and essential oils are safe, but I would still be careful. The essential oils that I use are Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender and it smells really good. For candles, most beeswax candles are safe. Here are some that I would use: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Bees...eywords=beeswax+candles&qid=1584640359&sr=8-5.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

I wouldnt try essential oils and stuff. That is more of a lifestyle hype through clever marketing than anything reasonable, and candles pollute the air massivly. Just because something is "essential" or "natural" doesn't mean it's healthy or does any good.

Normal lemon can't do any harm, so that's worth a try. I think a pen around your bed, or putting your bed on several bricks would be an option worth a try. Locking her up when she's bristling with energy, hm, not what I would do. Making her a digging box and giving her tree branches to gnaw on might help too to burn off some energy.

that is true, I was just wondering because I wasn’t sure if it was safe but thank you, I just used natural lemon and it seemed to work fine. I just don’t want to give her anything that I don’t know what they put in there because a label can say one thing but you don’t know what else they can put in it. So that scares me unless I make it myself. Yeah I do tend to feel bad for keeping her locked up because I know she is going through her spring fever and I know if I were here I wouldn’t want to be locked up either so I do let her out. Even though I lose some sleep. Can rabbits adjust to your sleeping schedule I know that they are crepuscular but it would help a lot if she can

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I don't think they can change their schedule, but if you make her play around all day and right before bed she will probably be tired and sleep. I would only lock her up during the night so she can play all day.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

I believe that candles and essential oils are safe, but I would still be careful. The essential oils that I use are Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender and it smells really good. For candles, most beeswax candles are safe. Here are some that I would use: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Bees...eywords=beeswax+candles&qid=1584640359&sr=8-5.

I believe that candles and essential oils are safe, but I would still be careful. The essential oils that I use are Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender and it smells really good. For candles, most beeswax candles are safe. Here are some that I would use: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Bees...eywords=beeswax+candles&qid=1584640359&sr=8-5.

I believe that candles and essential oils are safe, but I would still be careful. The essential oils that I use are Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender and it smells really good. For candles, most beeswax candles are safe. Here are some that I would use: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Bees...eywords=beeswax+candles&qid=1584640359&sr=8-5.

It doesn’t cause respiratory infection? Because I read on house rabbit society that it can cause them respiratory infections because rabbits have a stronger sense of smell and are sensitive to it. I heard that lavender was bad but I don’t know about peppermint and lemon that’s why it worried me because I wasn’t sure if it would be safe for her. Is beeswax safe?

 

[Peneloppythebun]

I don't think they can change their schedule, but if you make her play around all day and right before bed she will probably be tired and sleep. I would only lock her up during the night so she can play all day.

I was thinking of letting her wake up and run around but I don’t want to disturb her sleep I feel bad even though she does it to me. I always feel so bad to lock her up but the lemon is helping she did try chewing it but then she stopped and went to sleep. Maybe I can just find a schedule that works for her and I. Maybe I can nap during the day and a bit at night and just be awake with her so she can get some energy out

 

[Mariam+Theo]

It depends on the rabbit for respiratory infections. If you have a window open then I wouldn't worry, but don't make the smell too strong. It also says that it can cause infections, not that it will. It may be that if your rabbit has had respiratory issues in the past that they got worse when the oils where used.

If you want to change your sleep schedule then you should. But, I don't think a rabbit should control your life, it should only be an addition to your life.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

It depends on the rabbit for respiratory infections. If you have a window open then I wouldn't worry, but don't make the smell too strong. It also says that it can cause infections, not that it will. It may be that if your rabbit has had respiratory issues in the past that they got worse when the oils where used.

If you want to change your sleep schedule then you should. But, I don't think a rabbit should control your life, it should only be an addition to your life.

that’s true, I love her and everything but sometimes I want her to know that I to have rules she has to follow which is me getting sleep at night. I don’t think she has had respiratory infection however her previous owner did say she had to use critical care last year for her but I think that was because of something else. I take really good care of her I even clean up her poop every time she drops it to keep my room clean. I do use a candle but it doesn’t bother her I don’t leave it on for long as of right now she’s okay I do leave my window open so air comes in. She’s a good bun that’s just going through her spring fever. But overall she’s a sweetheart but can be bossy and likes to flop near me. Thank you by the way for the help I know she has to take out her energy and I let her throughout the whole day and before I go to bed which is at 12 am

 

[Cloverhouse]

You aren't going to be able to change the bunny's schedule. They are going to be active during their active times and sleep when they want to.

In my experience bitter apple spray, gel etc hasn't been effective on rabbits. Your mileage may vary, but rabbits, as plant eaters eat quite a few things with a bitter taste and it doesn't bother them that much, not the way it does with cats/dogs. I also have not had luck with cayanne or other hot pepper stuff to keep them from chewing.

You could attach some sea grass mats on the inside of her hutch/enclosure for her to chew on or scratch at so she won't chew the bars, or even attach cardboard for the same purpose.

I don't keep bunnies in my bedroom because of the sleep schedule difference and because I've only ever had one rabbit that didn't pee and poop on the bed or destroy the blankets.

 

[Mehidk]

I don't have much advice but it sounds like what I went through when I first got Trixie. Nowadays, she's generally good but even last night she left me 20+ gifts on my bed while my boyfriend was sleeping which hasn't happened in awhile. Sometimes I think its their way of communicating. Being that she's not spayed, it does seem like she's also marking her territory to claim your bed is hers too.

What times do you feed her? Maybe if you hold off on feeding her til later in the evening, it might make her just chill out for a bit since she had a big meal. I feed Trixie when I get home from work, and she'll relax for a couple of hours before making zoomies around the room and by 11pm, she goes into her hutch because she knows its bedtime. I leave plenty of sticks, hay, toys in there for her to keep her busy should she ever feel like she needs to get some of her energy out. She is spayed though which has helped calm her.

 

[Peneloppythebun]

I don't have much advice but it sounds like what I went through when I first got Trixie. Nowadays, she's generally good but even last night she left me 20+ gifts on my bed while my boyfriend was sleeping which hasn't happened in awhile. Sometimes I think its their way of communicating. Being that she's not spayed, it does seem like she's also marking her territory to claim your bed is hers too.

What times do you feed her? Maybe if you hold off on feeding her til later in the evening, it might make her just chill out for a bit since she had a big meal. I feed Trixie when I get home from work, and she'll relax for a couple of hours before making zoomies around the room and by 11pm, she goes into her hutch because she knows its bedtime. I leave plenty of sticks, hay, toys in there for her to keep her busy should she ever feel like she needs to get some of her energy out. She is spayed though which has helped calm her.

Lol I know how you feel, she leaves me presents to for me to clean up probably the same amount to.I normally feed her at 8 am the time her previous owner would feed her. I didn’t want to change up her schedule because she is already used to that and then in the evening at 5pm. Yeah I think she is claiming my bed, she isn’t destructive when it comes to my blankets are even my cords she’s pretty good actually. I noticed she would thump when I’m sleeping too it would be so loud. I’m afraid if I hold off of feeding her she would make even more noise and bother me until I do. I have toys in her pen willow balls willow ring stackable cups and a grass tunnel. She doesn’t bother to care for it only the willow balls sometimes but that’s it. She only plays with it if she’s mad at me or when she feels like it. I would say she’s a bit bossy but sweet at the same time. Should I change her eating schedule?