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Rabbit trying to mount my girlfriend and then thumping

22 10:53:07

Question
QUESTION: My girlfriend and I recently moved into a new house and noticed a lop running around the area. After a few days (he was noticably getting thinner) we decided to give him a home. He's very friendly and will jump up next to you on the couch to watch tv and get some attention. The problem is that in the last few days whenever he's running around the house freely, he immediately tries to mount my girlfriend. I read an answer you gave about mounting and we have been giving him "cage time" if he doesn't respond to "No." However, when we put him in his cage he will thump continually until let out. When we let him out again he continues to thump a bit. He has a good home with everything he needs as my girlfriend has had numerous house rabbits in the past. (He gets outside time as well.) I'm just worried because from what I've read, the continuous thumping is a result from stress. Could this just be that he has a new home and it will take some time to getting used to? Obviously the mounting isn't really a problem I'm just concerned with his stress level.
         Thanks,
         Ty
P.S.
We found out after taking the rabbit in that it was previously rescued by our next door neighbor while she was staying with friends in another city. Our neighbor has many pets and had trouble containing the rabbit (that's why it was running around the neighborhood for days) so we offered to continue to care for it. She liked the idea so we now have a resident bunny named (tongue in cheek) Mr. Pink. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Tyler

Your bunny is thumping because he is mad at you for putting him in the cage.  Mine does the same thing and it does scare me a bit but he gets over it.

Rabbits thump for 2 reasons.. 1.  they are ticked off  2.  they are trying to warn you or other rabbits of danger.  Since you obviously give him a nice home I doubt he is trying to warn you of danger.  I would still continue to use consistent punishment.  Unless he is flailing around and running in circles I would let him thump.  If he is obviously in danger of harming himself then let him out.  Also the time outs don't have to be for more than a few minutes.

I am sure you have read up on some of the other questions and answers so you probably know what I am going to say.  If you get Mr. Pink neutered it will stop the continuous mounting.  He may still mount on occasion but it certainly won't be an all the time thing.  I love male rabbits and I just love their personalities.  Like you read in my previous post I have my 'loverboy' as I call him and I can't really neuter him yet because I do use him in my breeding program.  I do have no doubt that as soon as I am done showing him he will get the snip.  As much as I love him I seriously get annoyed when I try to hold him and he insists on marking me.

Good luck with your new friend.  It was very kind of you to rescue him.  Remember that all bunnies need a yearly check-up just like dogs/cats etc.

Thank you

Pam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the response. Mr. Pink doesn't run around thumping or act erratic. Your information was very helpful as it does make sense that he may be a litle... umm... lovesick. I do have one question that I forgot to ask, though. Do male rabbits have a particular affinity towards female humans? I only ask this because he acts like my "pal" but when my girlfriend gets home, its all business.

         Thanks for everything,
         Ty

Answer
Hi Tyler

Honestly I am not really sure.  However the rabbit I told you about does not try to mount my boyfriend just me.  He will try to mount my niece and her friends.  Now that you mention it it does seem kind of strange.

I honestly thought it was just because he had a more intense bond with me but when my niece came in the other day and he was chasing her it made me wonder.  The only thing is that she is only 6 so if females do produce some sort of pheromones that rabbits can smell I just doubt that a 6 year old would have them.

I will do some more investigating.  I know for a fact that my bucks have never tried to mount any man that has been in my house.  I think it is just one of those things that make you go hmmmm...

Good luck with Mr. Pink

Pam

Hi Tyler

I did some research about male rabbits and female humans.  There are no conclusive studies but researches have noticed that the bucks tend to have a closer bond with females.  They didn't see a difference between doe's and males/females though.  I really can't find any conclusive factual data on this but its definitely something I might consider studying.  I have to do CME of my own choice a few times a year.  I think I might have to do a research project on this.  When I get the results I will try to remember to let you know  ;)  hope Mr. Pink is doing ok.

Thanks

Pam