spayed rabbit that are now unfriendly

Question
Hello Lee

I was hoping that you could help me with this as it's really worrying me. I bought a female rabbit about 3 months ago (she is now about 7-8 months) and she was really really friendly from the start. She would follow me everywhere, if I sat down she'd sit on my lap, she'd chase me and would be happy for me to cuddle her and pick her up whenever I wanted to. It was so easy to groom her and she was a fantastic pet. However, she had a few negative behaviours that I wanted to stamp out, such as she constantly chewed the curtains and carpets, and would sometimes spray urine up the walls and urinate on the carpet. Also, I'd noticed her nest building and she was pulling out the fur on the back of her neck, which eventually led to a skin infection since she'd tugged at the fur so aggressively. I'd also read a lot about the benefits of having her spayed - I knew it would decrease the risk of cancer plus she'd be less prone to her naughty behaviours and would supposedly be a lot more friendly. However, since I've had her spayed (which was about 6 weeks ago)she hasn't wanted anything to do with me. She will let me stroke her for a few seconds but will then make it clear that's enough - she will under no circumstances let me pick her up and if I do she bites which she never ever did before. The vet has given her a clean bill of health, the op was a success so I really don't know why she's behaving the way she is. I wish that I had never got her spayed now because she's gone from being a fantastic pet to being an animal that I can't get anywhere near. I thought having her spayed would make her more friendly. Would you be able to tell me why she is behaving this way and what I can do to make her like me again? I've tried temping her with food but nothing seems to work. for a couple of days after her operation I left her alone and only stroked her - I wonder if because I didn't pick her up a lot over the week after her operation, whether she's not used to it anymore? I really don't know, so if you could give me some advice I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks

Elicia

Answer
Hi Elicia,

sorry to hear that she's having a hard time with this.  Sometimes what happens is that they too much link the pain/trauma of surgery to you (the owner) and have a harder time getting past it.

Did the vet give her pain meds for a few days after the surgery?  These should have really cut back on the pain.  If not, this could be part of the reason her amplified feelings towards you are the way they are.  Rabbits really need pain meds for several days, for gals it is a bigger ordeal than the guys, and they give the boys pain meds for a few days too.

Whatever it is, it affected her trust bond with you.  It's just going about rebuilding the trust.  She probably has to relearn that you picking her up and such doesn't mean more pain (vet visit/surgery).  As for the nipping, you may have to take a few or wear heavier sweaters for awhile because you can't let her learn that nipping stops you from doing something she doesn't want you to do.  She's got to learn again that you're a buddy, and the alpha bunny.  If she nips and you are in a position to firmly but not violently push her head to the floor for a few seconds, and say "No, <name>!" she will know she's doing something wrong.  the hand over head for a few seconds is a dominance move.  I wouldn't do it all the time, but used strategically once in awhile lets her know that she isn't in control.

It requires patience, and not giving up.  As weird as it sounds, I'd talk to her about what happened, and that it wasn't meant to hurt her, but really in the long run to give her a longer happier life with you, etc.  They may not understand everything (they will know some words), but they are empathetic and will pick up on your emotional cues.  That and spending more time with her, even if she and you are not necessarily directly interacting.  Eventually she will start to get curious about you again.

In hindsight, I will tell you that if she ever needs surgery again, be right there with her in recovery so that you can pet her afterwards right away, and bring her favorite foods to give her right then to get her eating quickly and to let her realize right away you want her to feel better, that it wasn't punishment or something.

Lee