Rabbit humping arm and chin marking me.

Hi,Tonight my rabbit Dexter humped my arm and wouldn't stop chin marking me. He's 3 months 2 weeks and 4 days old so still a bit young to get neutered,I was going to wait until 5 months old. I did come home from work experience in a petshop and I was handing male and female rabbits so probably have their scent on me. Is there any way to encourage this to stop? He's going to the vets tomorrow for a check up to discuss neutering with the vets. (I'm going with my dog anyway)

Dylan123 said:

Hi,Tonight my rabbit Dexter humped my arm and wouldn't stop chin marking me. He's 3 months 2 weeks and 4 days old so still a bit young to get neutered,I was going to wait until 5 months old. I did come home from work experience in a petshop and I was handing male and female rabbits so probably have their scent on me. Is there any way to encourage this to stop? He's going to the vets tomorrow for a check up to discuss neutering with the vets. (I'm going with my dog anyway)

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It sounds as though he has hit puberty, although his testicles may not yet be fully descended. The fact that you no doubt did have the scent of other Rabbits on you is also likely to have played a part in his behaviour. He may not stop the behaviour now until he has been neutered. He may also start to spray wee, just to warn you !!

I am sure you know that if working in an environment with a lot of Rabbits- ie the Pet Shop- it is important to change from your work clothes and thoroughly wash your hands before handling your own Pets Rabbits. This is to minimise the risk of cross contamination of any diseases from the Pet Shop Rabbits to your Pets. It may also stop your Rabbit from being able to smell the scent of the Pet Shop Rabbits.

Is your Rabbit vaccinated yet ? If not that could be done when you see the Vet today, as long as the Vet considers your Rabbit to be fit and well.

Will it stop when neutered? I'm worried the habit will set because I have to wait until he's neutered.

Dylan123 said:

Will it stop when neutered? I'm worried the habit will set because I have to wait until he's neutered.

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Yes, the arm humping is very likely to resolve after he is neutered. He may still chin you though. That would just be him telling you you are his

Dylan123 said:

Hi,Tonight my rabbit Dexter humped my arm and wouldn't stop chin marking me. He's 3 months 2 weeks and 4 days old so still a bit young to get neutered,I was going to wait until 5 months old. I did come home from work experience in a petshop and I was handing male and female rabbits so probably have their scent on me. Is there any way to encourage this to stop? He's going to the vets tomorrow for a check up to discuss neutering with the vets. (I'm going with my dog anyway)

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Yes, he's getting hormonal and claiming you for his own (what an honour, eh? :lol

Neutering will certainly help, but coming back smelling of other rabbits will always be irresistible to a male rabbit

Chinning doesn't bother me it's the humping haha. I'm going soon I'll see what the vet thinks. What age would be best to get him neutered? I was hoping to do it at 5 months old

Dylan123 said:

Chinning doesn't bother me it's the humping haha. I'm going soon I'll see what the vet thinks. What age would be best to get him neutered? I was hoping to do it at 5 months old

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He can be done as soon as the testicles descend, or otherwise between 4 and 5 months

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/neutering28807.pdf

My rabbit Jasper used to do this too, but to my leg and he would chase me around :shock: :lol: It was so funny, bless him but yes it stopped after he was neutered.

I'm just back from the vets,he is perfectly healthy The vet recommended waiting until he is 6 months old because he's still so small. I was a bit worried about his teeth because he went off his hay for a while,but his teeth are good.