Change in behaviour.

Question
My 8 month old housebound netherland dwarf's attitude has suddenly completely changed!
He used to be very shy and timid and not like being touched. Now.. if I dont touch him, he nudges me until you do and just wont leave me alone!!
He gets into bed with me at night and jumps about around my face until I wake up and play with him.
He also licks and chews my hair and licks my arm.. hand... ear, face etc.
He's suddenly become VERY bouncy and hyperactive! Jumping all over the place.
I've been woken up with big scratches on my face alot recently :( but I dont like to lock him away at night, he doesnt like it and chews the bars of his cage.
He used to be the complete opposite.
Any ideas what's changed? He still has the exact same diet etc.
He also makes funny little noises under his breath when he's running around me.
Not the usual bunny grunting, its real quiet and makes him sound like an old man out of breath. :S

Answer
Hi Natalie,

sounds like your little guy has reached sexual maturity.  All of these signs marking a big change in personality, indicate this.

The running in circles and honking (little honks) for intact rabbits is a sign of love/attraction.  Rabbits can be attracted to the pheromones that people give off.  It isn't anything sick, or weird.  It's pretty much uncontrollable behavior on their part.  But right now you and he are good, good friends.  They only circle and honk rabbits they love.

The solution is to get him fixed, and the key thing is to have a good rabbit vet do it.  Not every vet is a good rabbit vet.  I strongly suggest, if you don't already have a good rabbit vet who regularly does surgeries (at least a few a week), to go here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society-recommended vet near you.

He will need both post op antibiotics and pain meds for 3-5 days.  If the vet doesn't know this, get another.  Further rabbits don't fast before surgeries because they don't vomit, and need to start eating as soon as possible afterwards.  Again if vet doesn't know this, get a different one.

It will take 4-6 weeks after surgery for his hormones to stabilize at their new, lower levels.  You should start seeing changes earlier.  But this way his personality will not be over-ridden with hormonal instinct/impulses.  He will be able to react according to his personality, not high levels of testosterone.  So basically you will get your bunny back.

Lee