Rabbit Still Mount after Neutering – As a general rule, a male Rabbit Still mount after Neutering. it is important to know that both males and females do hump when they reach sexual maturity to express dominance. Naturally, it occurs when the hormonal level changes in the rabbit’s body and they start becoming sexually mature. it is a general concept that neutering or spaying in male and female rabbits respectively can stop or eradicate this unwanted behavior along with aggression in rabbits. With few exceptions, it can work to some extent but sometimes Rabbits will still show dominance this way.
Rabbit Still Mount after Neutering – An Ultimate Guide
Rabbits are such smart and lovely small animals. They have been domesticated by humans a long ago. People love to keep them at home because of their cute actions. There are many natural behaviors of rabbits and it must be clear that rabbits are very possessive about their territory and don’t want to see anyone hijacking that place.
Rabbit Still Hump after Neutering – Here, we will discuss some important guidelines related to humping behavior in rabbits to clear the confusion of all rabbit keepers.
What is Humping? Why is Your Bunny Humping?
Humping is also called ‘mounting’. Basically, this is a natural behavior and mode of communication between two rabbits. One rabbit approaches another from the side or behind and then positions over the back or head of the other rabbit, making pelvic thrusting motions. A position used for mating and rabbits also shows dominance through this behavior. Simply it can give various meanings as ‘I want to play with you’ or ‘I love you ‘etc.
Remember, humping is an important reproductive process that helps you to get more rabbits if you keep sexually active male and female rabbits together.
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To all rabbit raisers, it is important to know that both males and females do hump when they reach sexual maturity to express dominance. Naturally, it occurs when the hormonal level changes in the rabbit’s body and they start becoming sexually mature. So, it is an indication that your rabbit is mature and wants to breed now. It is sometimes considered an unwanted behavior for owners just like urine spraying, biting, etc.
Additionally, this is considered normal, if your captive rabbit is humping on you. Actually, this is a sign that your rabbit is sexually frustrated and needs some mates to hook up with. There can be two solutions to correct this behavior.
Firstly, you can introduce a female rabbit to quench his sexual desire or neutering can be another option to rectify this.
Will Neutering / Spaying Eliminate Humping Behaviour?
This is a general concept that neutering or spaying in male and female rabbits respectively can stop or eradicate this unwanted behavior along with aggression in rabbits. With few exceptions, it can work to some extent but sometimes, it fails to prevent rabbits from humping.
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Neutered or spayed rabbits continue to hump.
This is right that neutering and spaying can make rabbits healthy and prevent a number of urinary tract infections in them.
It is noteworthy that many rabbit owners complain that their rabbits are still experiencing humping behavior even after being neutered. There are a few reasons behind this.
Even after neutering and spaying, sexual hormones still move in their body, not in greater quantity. Male testosterone and female estrogen provoke this behavior in them.
Another reason is, rabbits love to show dominance and compete for that. Neutered or spayed rabbits mount/hump to compete for dominance and show anger to other rabbits or humans.
A How Often Does Humping Occur – Is it Always a sign of Dominance?
In some species, it might occur multiple times a day, in others just at certain times of the year. In rabbits, it should not always be assumed to be a dominance strategy, although that can be one of the meanings, though there may be others. We see it when rabbits are getting to know each other during successful bonding, and it may be quite pleasurable for both parties.
What we have to remember is that how we think the rabbit underneath should respond based on our own feelings about how we would respond if we were the rabbit, has nothing to do with what is actually going on.
We need to take our cultural and personal labels out of the mix and be good observers of the actual behavior to determine if there is a need for intervention.
If all the discomfort lies with the humans, then I say let the rabbits communicate in the way that works for them.
NOTE: Humping behavior has also been observed in same-sex rabbits. Even small bunnies hump over others.
Basically, they do so to define their territory and flag their dominance. If humping becomes dangerous and there is a risk of fight and injuries, it is a wise decision to separate them and re-introduce them after an interval. This all takes time and lo of training to make rabbits familiar with each other.
What Factors can Reduce Humping Behaviour in Rabbits?
There are many underlying factors that can decrease the humping behavior in rabbits. Following are important ones.
Any underlying medical trouble that causes pain in the hip, legs, and shoulder of rabbits can lead to a reduction of mounting over others.
The rabbit underneath panics or gets very anxious when mounted and constantly seeks hiding areas away from the mounting rabbit
If the rabbit is having any respiratory or heart condition, it can also lead to a reduction of mounting in them.
Strategies to Stop Humping in Rabbits
Humping can lead to harmful consequences such as fight, injuries, and create problems for owners. So, it is compulsory to stop or limit this behavior in rabbits to prevent further complications.
Following tips can work better on preventing worst humping in rabbits.
Changes in the Environment
The most important thing that a rabbit supervisor has to do is proper monitoring and modification of the rabbit’s environment. Carefully observe that, during which intervals of a day, rabbits frequently hump each other. Properly monitoring the cues can reduce the possibility of humping.
If it occurs at certain times of the day, then don’t have the rabbits together during those times, separate them or alternately move them to a different location or change up their routine during those times. The strategy is to maximize their time together when they don’t feel the need to mount and minimize their time together when they do want to mount.
Protect Younger Bunnies
Another important thing that can prevent mounting is giving the small bunnies a hiding site where the larger or overweight bunnies can not get to and mount. This idea will help them to protect small bunnies from the worst mounting of larger ones.
NOTE: Once you have arranged the environment and playtime together for successful reduction of the mounting behavior you can then concentrate on reinforcing the rabbits for the behavior you do want and ignore what you don’t want.
Reward Them with Treats
Toss or hand treats repeatedly when they are in each other’s presence and are not mounting—which should be a lot. If you do this 20 times a day, they will be more interested in what you have to offer than in mounting each other.
Targeting / Clicker Training
Teach each one on their own at first (away from the other rabbit) to touch a target stick with their nose and reward with a treat each time they do it. This is called “targeting.” Then when they are together they will both want to do it at the same time and you will reinforce (give a treat) to both.
This is a great way for them to interact with each other in the same space and have something good happen without mounting each other.
Things Not to Do
There are other methods such as shouting, spraying water, making loud sounds, and throwing things at your rabbits that can’t solve this problem. Even, these things can lose their trust in you and badly break bonds with you. Moreover, giving punishment to rabbits is also not recommended as these things can make your rabbits frustrated and irritated which will eventually spoil your relationship with them.
Conclusion
Humping is a natural habit and way of communication of rabbits. Mostly, there is no need to be worried about mounting (except in the worst cases). You should just stay relaxed and calm and enjoy this humping behavior in rabbits and feel the pleasure that they trust you and show this in your presence. But if it gets worse and you want to reduce it, always opt for a humane method and keep patience. It will all take little Time.
REFERENCES:
Beyer, C., & Rivaud, N. (1969). Sexual behavior in pregnant and lactating domestic rabbits. Physiology & Behavior, 4(5), 753–757. doi:10.1016/0031-9384(69)90112-7
Contreras, J. L., & Beyer, C. (1979). A polygraphic analysis of mounting and ejaculation in the New Zealand white rabbit. Physiology & Behavior, 23(5), 939–943.
McDonald, P. ., Vidal, N., & Beyer, C. (1970). Sexual behavior in the ovariectomized rabbit after treatment with different amounts of gonadal hormones.
Yaschine, T., Mena, F., & Beyer, C. (1967). Gonadal hormones and mounting behavior in the female rabbit. American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content, 213(4), 867
Author: Dr. John Abbass
DVM M.Phil
Rabbit Meat Profitability Table
| Rabbits | Rabbits Born | Lbs Meat / Year | Average Price / LB | Total Revenue Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84 | 252 | $ 8.00 | $ 2016 |
| 2 | 168 | 504 | $ 8.00 | $ 4032 |
| 5 | 420 | 1260 | $ 8.00 | $ 10,080 |
| 10 | 840 | 2520 | $ 8.00 | $ 20,162 |
| 20 | 1680 | 5040 | $ 8.00 | $ 40,320 |
| 30 | 2520 | 7560 | $ 8.00 | $ 60,480 |
| 40 | 3360 | 10,080 | $ 8.00 | $ 80,640 |
| 50 | 4200 | 12,600 | $ 8.00 | $ 100,800 |
| 100 | 8400 | 25,200 | $ 8.00 | $ 201.600 |
| 200 | 16,800 | 50,400 | $ 8.00 | $ 403,200 |
Rabbit Breeder Associations
| Rabbit Association | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|
| American Breeders Association | United States | ARBA |
| House Rabbit Society | California | HRS |
| Ohio States Rabbit Breeders Association | Ohio | OSRBA |
| Livestock Conservancy | North Carolina | LC |
| Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund | United Kingdom | RWA |
| British Rabbit Council | United Kingdom | BRC |
| European Association of Rabbits.... | Europe | EAP |
| Australian National Rabbit Council | Australia | ANRC |
| Australian Rabbit House Society | Australia | ARHS |
| ARBA - Rabbit Shows | United States | ARBA - Shows |
