Watching your bun dash over your furniture and do acrobatic leaps in the air is very entertaining, but having them spray you with pee mid-air is not so great.
So why do rabbits pee on you, and can this habit be stopped?
Rabbits pee on you for various reasons, such as marking their territory. If a rabbit sprays urine on you, they’re marking you as its own. Other causes may include territorial feelings toward other pets, laziness, stress or anxiety, excitement, irritability, or a disability or illness.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on reasons why bunnies pee on you and how you can stop this behavior.
Reasons Why Your Rabbits Pee on You
Your floppy-eared friend is an intelligent animal with a strong personality. Once your bun reaches puberty (3 to 6 months old), they have higher levels of testosterone and estrogen coursing through its body.
When your bun pees on you, this is more of a deliberate spray, not a full urine stream.
So, let’s take a closer look at the different reasons why your rabbit pees on you:
Claiming You as Their Own
You may probably think it is a compliment when a rabbit pees on you to claim you as its own. And yes, it is. Your bun likes you that much.
Unfortunately, this affection is shown by spraying urine on you (which isn’t so nice).
Rabbits spray urine on objects to mark their territory. The urine spray has a different smell from your bun’s usual pee. This makes other rabbits aware that you or a specific area are theirs.
They’re Afraid
If your bun is a new addition to the family, they may be peeing on you out of fear. If you pick your rabbit up and they pee on you, they don’t feel comfortable with you just yet.
Be patient with your bun and build up a bond with them.
This habit should stop once your bunny trusts you. Avoid picking them up too often, as rabbits typically don’t enjoy being picked up.
Excitement
Sometimes rabbits get so carried away in their excitement to see you that they pee on you. This behavior is usually followed by your bun circling you and honking (courting behavior).
This response is a hormonally driven behavior and is often seen in younger rabbits that haven’t been sterilized.
Medical Issues
You must monitor your bun closely if they suddenly start peeing on you, and this happens often.
This could signify that your floppy-eared friend is sick or has an underlying medical condition. In general, an ill rabbit has poor bladder control.
Here’s a list of some of the common medical conditions and disabilities that can cause your bunny to pee on you:
- Partial paralysis
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Bladder stones and sludge
- Loss of bladder tone (especially in senior rabbits)
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Urine scald dermatitis
Did you know? Rabbits also experience bad moods and jealousy. They act out to show their unhappiness by peeing on you (especially if they know you don’t approve).
How Can I Stop My Rabbit From Peeing on Me?
Let’s take a look at how you can stop your rabbit from peeing on you:
Express Your Disappointment
Your bun is very aware of your emotions, and they’re sensitive to your tone of voice and body language.
When your bun sprays urine on you, make it clear that you’re upset with them. Do this by raising your voice slightly and using a firm tone.
Turning away from your bun and ignoring them will also show them that you’re not impressed.
Litter Train Your Rabbit
One of the best ways to stop your bun from peeing on you is to get them litter trained as soon as possible. As mentioned, your bun is very intelligent, and they’ll grasp the concept of litter training in no time.
However, you should expect the occasional accident every now and then, and you’ll need to be patient and committed to the process. It typically takes a rabbit about 1 to 2 weeks to be fully litter trained.
Ensure you place a litter box in an accessible area.
Wear Perfume
Your bunny’s nose is very sensitive, and they have a strong sense of smell. A neat trick to prevent your bun from peeing on you is to wear strong perfume.
Your bun won’t want to climb on you (let alone pee on you).
Once your bun has got the point, you can stop wearing such strong perfume.
Spay or Neuter Your Rabbit
By spaying or neutering your bun, you’ll be removing their need to mark their territory (or you).
Having your bun sterilized will also prevent reproductive cancer. Fixed bunnies also have a longer lifespan.
Why Does My Bunny Flick Pee at Me?
Your bun will flick urine at you for one of three reasons:
1. They like you and want to mark you as theirs.
2. You have caught them off guard, and as a response, they’ve flicked urine at you.
3. They’re excited to see you, and their hormones have gotten the better of them.
If your bun has flicked pee on you, try to remove the pee stain and smell as quickly as possible. Leaving the stain will encourage your rabbit to keep flicking pee on you.
Recommended products to remove bunny pee are:
- A rabbit-safe stain remover
- Or mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the stain and throw your clothing in the wash as usual.
When to Seek Professional Help?
If you notice your bun peeing more frequently, followed by other symptoms such as being hunched over in pain or discolored urine, you must take them for a check-up at the vet as soon as possible.
My Last Bunny Thoughts
While it’s flattering to have your floppy-eared friend love you so much that they need the entire world to know, this habit can be very frustrating (and messy).
If you allow your bun to free-roam in your house, you ideally don’t want them spraying you whenever you show them affection.
Consider getting your rabbit sterilized to help prevent this spraying behavior. If your rabbit is still getting to know you, spend some time with them to build their trust.
Above all, ensure your fluffy-tailed friend is in good health and has no underlying medical conditions.
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