There are a number of other reasons as to why a rabbit might urinate inappropriately on its owner or in its environment. Rabbits may urinate when picked up as a result of fear or stress.
They feel cornered and, once in your arms, they urinate involuntarily because they are scared of what might happen to them. Trauma: similar to being scared of you, a rabbit may have had a particularly negative experience when being picked up. When you do this to them, they might feel frightened and urinate as a result.
Vocalising – Bunnies aren't known for being noisy, but a scared rabbit may growl, grunt or squeal – a warning that says 'back off'. Aggression – A frightened rabbit might bite, kick or scratch. Unneutered bunnies are more likely to be aggressive. Shaking – Like humans, rabbits may tremble with fear.
Beware the rabbit holding their tail up, it is frequently followed by spraying. Rabbits who are not spayed and neutered will spread their scent by spraying everything in sight. They may also do this when they are upset or simply dislike a person.
Depending on the severity of the offence, a rabbit can hold a grudge from hours to several days. Sometimes, a simple stroke on the forehead or an apologetic treat can remedy a miffed bunny, but if your rabbit is truly offended, they can sulk for quite some time!
The easiest method to help your rabbit relax is to place them in a familiar and secure environment. You're halfway there if your rabbit is already in its comfortable rabbit bed or close to its enclosure. Please turn off any loud noises and seal the door to keep other pets out of their secure place.
It's easy to tell if a rabbit is nervous or scared. They sit with their ears held back, tend to sit scrunched up like a big ball or always underneath something and startle at the smallest sound.
You may find if they're upset with you, that they choose to urinate in a place they normally wouldn't. Urinating and spreading their scent is one way that rabbits try to claim dominance and ownership of an area.
Your rabbit will pick up on heightened stress, fear and anxiety, and mirror this. You'll likely notice that your rabbit will become more affectionate if you're poorly. They will know that something is wrong, and want to cheer you up.
3 - 6 months old: Adolescence
Male rabbits will often spray urine as a sign of courtship, circle your feet and mount them. Female rabbits tend to become very territorial over their personal space and may growl or lunge at you.
In most cases, where rabbits are afraid they prefer to run away to a quiet and hidden location. This is normal behaviour, but is reason for concern if it happens more than just once in a while. You should be able to recognise signs of stress in your rabbit.
Rabbits typically run away from people because they are afraid or angry. The rabbit has learned from past experiences that humans will chase them, pick them up, or trap them into a small cage.
Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it's a sign of affection as you'll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.
Protection from predators
Rabbits should have 24 hour access to suitable hiding places where they can run if they feel afraid, stressed, unwell, or simply want to be on their own for a while. There should always be at least the same number of hiding places in any enclosure as there are animals.
If they are sitting upright and their front paws are 'boxing' at you, they are likely very unhappy. Vocalising. Rabbits don't tend to make much noise and when they do it's a sign they're feeling very threatened. You may hear them grunting or growling and in extreme cases, they can scream.
The nose, face, cheeks, and ears seem like safe areas to try. Under the chin might or might not be a problem area, depending on the rabbit. The back is likely safe. The belly, feet, and rear end seem like no-go areas.
It is important to remember that rabbits are sensitive animals that can easily feel vulnerable. While it is important to be firm, remember that rabbits can quickly become traumatized by shouting and angry behavior. If you truly frighten them, they will remember this and may no longer trust you.
Rabbits will remember the people that they spend a lot of time with, and this includes their owners and caretakers. As prey animals, they have neurologically developed with a strong long-term memory for places and routines.
Rabbits need a contrast of light and darkness. A rabbit that lives in constant light can experience stress. In addition, their eyes can be damaged, and they'll gain weight. Provide a dark area for your bunny to sleep and relax within.
Rabbits explore their environment by sniffing and nudging. It may be a greeting or their first line of investigation. But nudging can also indicate a level of bossiness. Your rabbit might be telling you, “You're in my way!” They may also be trying to get your attention because you're not petting them.
It is important to distinguish between urine spraying and inappropriate urination due to environmental or medical factors. When rabbits spray urine, they tend to spray on vertical surfaces; however, rabbits displaying inappropriate urination will generally urinate on horizontal surfaces.