Rabbits commonly spray urine to mark their territory. If your rabbit is urinating on you, he or she may be attempting to claim you as part of their territory!
Territorial behaviour
Rabbits are both a social and a territorial species. Urine spraying is also called 'marking', and is used by rabbits as a form of scent communication. Both male and female rabbits can urine spray. But it is most common in unneutered rabbits, especially males, from puberty onwards.
You see, tests show that the rabbit's urine has high ammonia content. That's why it has a strong odor. Now, this unpleasant smell won't only make your house stink… It can also cause respiratory problems in both rabbits and humans.
If lack of training is the reason for your rabbit peeing on you, or it's too young to know better, then I highly suggest you introduce litter training to them. You should start litter training as soon as possible because it's easier (and quicker) when rabbits are young.
Fear: rabbits are very sensitive mammals. They scare easily, especially if they have been poorly socialized with us or other animals. Perhaps the main reason rabbits pee on you when you pick them up is because they are afraid of you.
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.
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.
Your rabbit poops on you due to territoriality. They like you and they want to show others that you belong to them. And it's normal, especially in hormonal rabbits. This can also be due to strong emotions.
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.
Normal rabbit urine will vary from a pale yellow or clear colour, through various orange and brown colours, right up to a deep red colour. Rabbit urine may also look cloudy due to the presence of calcium carbonate being excreted within the urine.
According to [65], the colour of rabbit semen is white with the intensity dependent on the concentration of the sperm.
Is Rabbit Poop Harmful? While rabbits can carry parasites like tapeworm and roundworm, their waste is not known to transmit any diseases to humans.
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.
#10: Over-excitement
It could also be that your bunny pees on you due to so much excitement. They're ecstatic at the moment. So they can't hold both their bladder and emotions well. And this makes them go without their will.
They are marking their territory. Un-neutered males will mark female rabbits and their territory by spraying them with urine. Un-spayed females can also indulge in this behavior. It's another good reason to spay or neuter your rabbits.
It is considered especially dangerous because it can damage the cervical vertebrae and subsequently the spinal cord, which may lead to serious and irreparable spinal cord injury.
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!
A rabbit who is angry will quickly twitch their tail up and down. 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.
Circling is part of a rabbit's courting behavior and is sometimes accompanied by a soft honking or oinking. Circling can also be a way to ask for food or attention from human companions.
Nose Nudging: Nose nudging is another behavior that has several meanings. Rabbits might nudge, push, or toss things around as a form of play, to solicit attention from you, or as a territorial behavior meaning “mine!” or “get out of the way!” Rabbits can be very territorial and particular.
Rabbits usually pee on someone's bed to assert dominance, have an infection or bladder sludge, or simply find the bed comfortable. Besides, they may do this because they're too young or too old to control themselves.
5. Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.