Why has my neutered rabbit of 7 years started humping and spraying again?

[Tim.Coates]

We have had a bonded pair of rabbits (Ani(M) & Obi(F)) for 7 years. They were both neutered/spayed long ago. In the last 2 years Ani has started spraying again, and not a small amount. It makes cleaning their pen much more difficult than it used to be. This spring he has just started trying to hump Obi non-stop. He grunts and chases her all day every day on and off. He never used to do this. They would hump every now and then as rabbits do, but this is something more aggressive and constant. They haven't fought or become violent, but Obi is fed up and spends alot of her time running away from him. We have to seperate them to give her a break sometimes. This is extreme behavior that's been going on for over a week now. Anyone know what's going on?

 

[JBun]

Some rabbits will get a surge of hormones in the spring, even spayed/neutered ones, causing a temporary 'spring fever' where they will have increased hormonal behaviors like digging, nesting, spraying, marking, humping, etc. This usually only lasts a few weeks and then they settle back down to normal.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/behaviour/hormonal-behaviour-neutered-rabbits/
If your boy bun isn't settling back down and this hormonal type behavior is continuing, I would be looking at it being caused by possible adrenal issues. And if so, I would strongly suggest taking your rabbit to a knowledgeable rabbit vet and have the needed blood test done to see if this is what's going on.

https://rabbit.org/sex-hormones-in-altered-rabbits/
Here's a list of rabbit vets in your country, though there are other good rabbit vets that aren't on this list as well.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...abbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

 

[Tim.Coates]

Some rabbits will get a surge of hormones in the spring, even spayed/neutered ones, causing a temporary 'spring fever' where they will have increased hormonal behaviors like digging, nesting, spraying, marking, humping, etc. This usually only lasts a few weeks and then they settle back down to normal.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/behaviour/hormonal-behaviour-neutered-rabbits/
If your boy bun isn't settling back down and this hormonal type behavior is continuing, I would be looking at it being caused by possible adrenal issues. And if so, I would strongly suggest taking your rabbit to a knowledgeable rabbit vet and have the needed blood test done to see if this is what's going on.

https://rabbit.org/sex-hormones-in-altered-rabbits/
Here's a list of rabbit vets in your country, though there are other good rabbit vets that aren't on this list as well.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...abbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

Thanks Jenny that's very helpful. We'll keep an eye on them and hope things settle down soon. If not, we can at least go to the vet with some possible ideas.