What to do About a Sexually Frustrated Male Rabbit

My pet rabbit, Frodo, has turned into a terror in recent weeks. He gnaws on his cage bars for hours on end, struggling to break out. As soon as he is freed of his prison, he sets to work urinating on my floors and destroying my floor boards. I would be angry if I didn't understand the reason for his aggression-- his love interest, Eowyn, whose cage he has been struggling to disassemble for weeks.

Hell hath no fury like a sexually frustrated male rabbit. Currently, Frodo and his mate are taking a hiatus in between litters, and the frustration is driving the male absolutely bonkers. Aggression and destructive behaviors are extremely common among male rabbits who feel sexually frustrated, but there are-- fortunately-- ways to end their distress. Here are a few options.

1. Let them mate. If you're a breeder and your bucks have become too randy for their own good, it may not be a bad idea to let them mate. If it's an appropriate time to prepare for another litter, consider giving your pets the go-ahead to make some baby bunnies.

2. Get your rabbit a plush "friend." Male rabbits will often learn to take out sexual frustration on inanimate objects, including realistic-looking stuffed animals. Buy your pet rabbit a plush bunny toy with relatively realistic proportions. If he's needy enough, it can act as a substitute for the real thing.

3. Keep him away from females. My rabbit's frustrations are always the strongest when he's in relatively close proximity to his female companion. For this reason, I only generally allow them near each other-- caged or otherwise-- when it's an appropriate time for them to mate. If your rabbit is prone to sexual frustration, house him in a completely different room from any potential companions.

4. Give your rabbit a distraction. By providing your rabbit with more room, chew-toys, and areas to explore, you help to keep his mind off his sexual frustrations. A confined, bored rabbit is far more likely to resort to the kinds of destruction most often associated with sexual frustration.

5. Have him neutered. This is the most foolproof method for handling a male rabbit who is frequently sexually frustrated. Neutering entirely solves of the hormonal and physical problems caused by, leading to, and associated with sexual frustration in rabbits. The only down side: neutering is extremely costly for rabbits due to their sensitivity to anesthesia.

Proper care of a pet rabbit can mitigate many of the unpleasant behaviors associated with sexual frustration in males. By providing a stimulating, interactive, safe environment for your pet, you can help to minimize the hormone-associated behaviors you find most troubling.