My rabbit has gone mad!

[GlitteryPink]

My female rabbit is about 8 months old and since i've had her been the most lovely pet, always comes out of her hutch easily, is playful and cuddly and happy. Suddenly, since last thursday, she won't let any hands come near her in the hutch, she won't come out without biting and struggling, and she is destructing her hutch, ripping up paper and scrabbling madly. Once I finally manage to actaully get her out she is fine and friendly again but why has she suddenly become like this? Her hutch is in the house so its not as if something frightened her in the night. Help I miss my friendly loving bunny!

[dancecaller]

Not frightened by a fox in the night then

could she be pregnant?

[GlitteryPink]

I hope not! I've had her since she was 12 weeks and she's never come into contact with any other rabbits. I read it could be because she has become bored, so have put a few extra bits in the hutch, a little box with hay, a toilet roll. Any other ideas for rabbit toys?

[little coojy]

you could build a run in the garden and put big plastic tubes in (like guttering down pipes) and corners etc you could make up a little maize, rabbits love tunnels and going from differant layers like they would in the wild, have you tried hideing its food so it has something to do rather than just going to its bowl, i have seen rabbit harneses so you could take her for a walk, imagine what it would be like to be shut in one room 24/7 i'm sure you'd get ratty aswell.

[Maggie-Mae]

Maybe its something to do with rabbit "hormones" - do rabbits come into season like other animals do. Apparently rabbits are only pregnant for about 31 days so if she has not come into contact with any other rabbits then pregnancy is unlikely. Is she unwell or injured in anyway? - perhaps a visit to the vets could be beneficial. I do agree with little coojy - I know its nice to have a house rabbit but I personally feel it is in a rabbits nature to want to be outside and run around. My two male rabbits have the run of the garden when Im at home and they do seem very happy when they have the space to run around. Hope your rabbit is better soon whatever the problem xx

[Maggie-Mae]

Actually I've also just thought, I read that rabbits do crave other rabbit company so maybe your rabbit is lonely. How about getting her a friend, obviously if its a male, he'll have to be done, but if she has a bit of company she may be happier xx

[clair3934]

female rabbits don't have a season like many other animals do, they ovulate when the male chases them. you say she is about 8 months old now so Its sounds like she is becomeing an adult they are very terratorial animals and if you encroch on them they will attack mine female is 9 years now and she still has a go now and then when I take her out of her hutch, you just have to persavere and pick her up she will soon realise that if won't stop you picking her up and she may well give in.

[GlitteryPink]

Thank you guys I have booked her in to be spayed on Friday hoping that calms her down a bit. I will keep persevering tho, she is not getting away with it!!

[angelojames]

it may be very helpful if you dont want to get another rabbit for her so she is not lonely try to give her stuffed animals even though I have three rabbits they still like there stuffed animals that I gave them.