Unusual Behavior

Question
I have a 1.5 yr old neutered male rabbit, flemish giant I believe.  I adopted him this spring from a home with a two year old.  I am a preschool director/teacher and my rabbit has been going to school daily with me since April.  He has always done really, really good with the children; however, this week he nipped/bit a little girl.  I think he probably did more nipping than biting. b/c although she had gloves on, he did not leave a mark.  He had never done this before, even when provoked.  We have also been noticing more abnormal behaviors at home, such as excessive grooming and many bunny flops with his legs resting in mid-air.  Also he has been grunting at my husband and I a lot more.  We have been experiencing some outdoor temperature swings, but he is an indoor rabbit.  We have noticed more frequent bunny hiccups.  He seems to be sleeping more and not as friendly. Also there is definitely a spot on his hind quarters that must be irritated, b/c he will turn around and somewhat nudge or nip at your hand. For the most part, all of this has really happended more in the last couple of weeks.  He is also peeing on the couch any time he hops up there.  What is going on?  What can I do?

Answer
Hi Shannon,

in general, changes in behavior are for some kind of reason.  Either medical or because something in his environment has changed.

Rabbits will nip if they feel they are not being handled properly or with respect.  It is not unusual for them to tolerate some man-handling, then nip lightly to let you know because you didn't get the message the first time (a grunt or a look like he would be ready to give a nip).  Even the most tolerant rabbit will get tired of being treated in a way he doesn't want to be treated, especially if the person doing it is not clueing in on his nicer cues to stop it.

The other thing that can set him off is the scents on you.  Maybe this girl has a dog at home and smells like a predator to him.  

Excessive grooming - not really any such thing.  Rabbits are very clean animals and frequently groom themselves.  This is winter shed time of year so he may be doing it more often to get the loose fur out.

The bunny flops and the hiccups are excellent signs for a rabbit owner.  These show he is getting very secure and comfortable in your home, and with you.  The hiccups are actually 'clucking' sounds - which is your bunny telling you in the most happiest of bunny ways that he loves it with you guys and is very happy and content.  Perhaps he is sleeping more because he has gotten more secure and comfortable in your home.  

Rabbits normally sleep and rest most of the time.  They are crepuscular - up in the morning, down in the afternoon, up at dinner, down at night.  But unless he is out to exercise and play, he will probably sit or rest.

As far as hidquarter irritation, unless you actually see a sore spot or something, I don't know why you would assume it's irritated.  They don't like being touched back there to begin with, so if you are reaching for him around there, his reaction is a normal one as far as the rabbits I know.  If you can see a sore or wound back there, you need to get him to your good rabbit-savvy vet for some diagnosis and treatment. He'll probably need an antibiotic ointment.

Peeing on the couch and grunting.  Normally I would say this is the behavior of an intact rabbit, but since you say he is neutered, he is doing this for a specific reason, I believe.  Something must have changed two weeks ago that has set him doing this.  It's a sign he doesn't like whatever the change was.  Changing furniture around, a change in routine, spending less time with him, he's getting less exercise time, less attention, his cage was moved, something has occurred that has triggered this behavior.  You need to examine what happened two weeks ago to be able to resolve this.

Short term solution is to get a big cat litterpan and place it on the couch where he is peeing.  It won't stop him marking, but it will probably save on cleanup.  Long term is to figure out what happened 2 weeks ago and see if that is the cause.

Write back anytime.  Let me know what you find out.