If their behavioural or social needs are not being met this may also be an underlying reason for unwanted behaviour. Feed her on a regular schedule so she can count on chow at a certain time of day. Then, gradually work on desensitizing your rabbit to those triggers by giving it treats and showing it affection during those situations, which will teach it … any help here. If she bites when you hand feed her, it’s probably because she can’t see what smells so good. It is an open display of trust and affection. Remember, your bunny is not being naughty or nasty, they are just trying to protect themselves. McBride, E. A., & Wickens, S. M., (1997), ‘The Rabbit – An Exotic Pet With BEhaviour Problems,’ in eds Mills. When the rabbit is out of its hutch, feed titbits such as long pieces of hay or grass, so that it can eat at one end while you hold the other (McBride 1998) Get an individual behaviour programme from www.rabbitbehaviour.co.uk – A website set up by three expert rabbit behaviourists, who will answer rabbit behaviour problems for a fee. Brooke on April 17, 2017: Email me via this website for permission which will usually be given. However, some rabbits (not all) may become a little bit aggressive in certain situations. This will encourage your rabbit to spend more time eating. Let her dictate how much contact she wants and let her approach you. If you have a rabbit who bites on a daily basis then you can apply these homemade remedies to reduce the effects such as, First, inspect the wound. When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He lunges at me like he is attacking - Answered by a verified Pet Specialist ... Today he growled when I opened the hutch to put their evening feed in and we ... rabbit: from a long history of moving around and he always bites me. you can hold him like a baby. It’s also important to provide adequate ‘chewing’ opportunities by providing a constant supply of meadow hay – this is essential for dental and mental health in rabbits. Biting during mating is not an aggressive gesture. Rabbits are timid, gentle, curious, and affectionate if given the opportunity. If shallow then simply wash it with soap and water. Why has she started to bite. ( He is only 2 years old and most of the time very friendly?) The easiest way is with food rewards: Find a food item she really likes and isn’t part of normal diet (e.g. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, cage housing – too small and uninteresting, especially without daily freedom to exercise. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin). This way they can dictate how much contact they are comfortable with. D.S., Heath, S. E. & Harrrington, L. J., Proceedings of the First international Conference of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, South Mimms , UK, UFAW, 197-203. i don't have a rabbit but i am going to get one. The same is true for dwarf rabbits vs. larger breeds. General advice of the kind found in this website is no substitute for an individual consultation with a vet or qualified behaviourist working on a vet’s referral. Then once it’s learned to trust you, start gentle petting. Rabbit bites usually bleed profusely, and take days to heal. If you have to forcibly remove a rabbit (for a vet visit) then wear leather gloves or gauntlets (Crowell-Davies 2010). Copyright © 2007 Celia Haddon. It is very important that the rabbit should be examined by a vet. They have learned that biting makes humans retreat! You can stop the behavior by changing how you handle your rabbit, squealing loudly so the rabbit knows it hurt you, and making some changes to the rabbit’s routine. Comments for At Feeding My Cat Bites Me. Rabbits are more aggressive in the breeding season (McBride & Wickens, 1997, citing McBride 1986). I was worried he wouldn't like me but he cuddles and licks :3 and everything else on this list. quarter of a sultana or other tiny piece of dried fruit or banana) and then move it around a bit to help get her attention. :) After cleaning out their housing, try to put everything back in its rightful place. If your rabbit is not eating/drinking/pooping/peeing, these are serious symptoms. When food is scarce, rabbits will fight with each other to defend what food they are able to find. The feelings of discomfort may be due to its surrounding, or your treatment as an owner. My rabbit is 10 months old Netherlands dwarf and a very nervous rabbit but lately she does like being picked up and startsunami to bite and scratch me. And don’t overdo the snacks–it makes some rabbits expect a treat every time you walk in the room. Your rabbit isn’t vicious. 9. If it keeps on biting…  If the rabbit’s house is indoors, give it a little ramp or a couple of boxes to jump down to ground floor level –so it does not have to be handled. All normal safety precautions should be taken when dealing with animals. Get an individual behaviour programme from www.rabbitbehaviour.co.uk – A website set up by three expert rabbit behaviourists, who will answer rabbit behaviour problems for a fee. The advice in this section should be taken only at the owner’s own risk. my doe is 115 days (roughly 4 months)old. When cleaning the rabbit house, lure the rabbit into the sleeping compartment with a food treat while cleaning the other area – and visa versa. First, ensure your rabbit is not ill. You should also make sure your rabbit has somewhere else to go when you are changing the food/hay (i.e., provide an escape route if she needs some space). i know some rabbits don't like to be held but we only hold her when necasary. Limit the amount to 1/4 of a cup per 5 pounds of body weight per day, because rabbits that eat too many pellets can suffer from obesity. Put the rabbit’s favourite food in it each time, and say to it “Box” every time you want it to get into it. He will sometimes bite after being petted or will follow me around the house and bite my legs. You can make eating an even more time consuming activity by incorporating it into toys. Wild rabbits constantly compete with each other for food. Your rabbit feels threatened, and he’s saying, “Get away from me!” Your rabbit might grunt to protect his cage or food from you or another rabbit. she never bites me but she has drawn blood to both my mum and younger sister. Happy bunnies are less quick to bite. If the vet can find nothing wrong, ask about a pain trial. I got him 1 week ago from owners that didn't know how to take care of a rabbit ( He didn't even have hay! ) This may take several weeks or even months with a traumatised rabbit (Crowell-Davies, 2010), Some rabbits are possessive about food and will bite while guarding their food bowl. Ensure your rabbit is desexed, whether male or female – find an experienced rabbit vet to do this. by Anne McBride, Souvenir Books. It is essential that they cannot escape, access toxic plants or be at risk of attack from a cat or dog. Thus, there are four simple solutions to help reduce biting if this is the cause: Please see these links for more information: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/aggression-rabbits. Ok I adopted a rabbit a few months back and hes really lovely. If the rabbit is very aggressive, you may need to start the other side of a barrier. If it is outside, use a cat carrier, with a front entrance. Rabbit hutches and how to choose a good one. lol when ever i put things by him, like his litter tray or food bowl he bites them and chucks them around every where. I think the better question here is: Why is your rabbit biting you? Start giving it favourite titbits, putting the food in the palm of your hand not between your fingers. It is best to get down to ‘bunny level’, i.e. To gain your rabbit’s trust, spend a lot of time with it on the floor. Some rabbits have been harmed by ignorant humans picking them up by the ears or without support. ground/floor level and pet bunny there. LAVEnder Bunny on November 12, 2012: I got a new baby bunny. Organisations wishing to use them in print should contact me via this website. When your rabbit licks you, feel privileged. I have four rabbits and have been bitten a few times (once just the other day when I was checking the ear of one and she didn’t like how I was handling her). He scratches VERY violent and bites quite hard. If your rabbit bites or charges when you are trying to feed (I have one like this) then pat the rabbit while placing fresh greens in their housing or food area. To locate a rabbit-savvy vet in your area, see the House Rabbit Society Veterinarian Index. A female rabbit may be defending the nest territory. If you are unable to let them outside every day, then provide enrichment toys to keep them occupied on the days when outside exercise isn’t possible. As many as one in four pet rabbits don’t like being picked up and two in a hundred bite regularly (Schepers et al., 2009). The easiest way is with food rewards: Find a food item she really likes and isn’t part of normal diet (e.g. Rabbits like to have things a certain way; keep in mind their decor may not match your ideas. What makes a good rabbit toy? Why? Click here to add your own comments. There are several reasons why this may happen including: It is important to determine the underlying cause of the aggressive behaviour including when it tends to occur, such as when you attempt to pick him/her up from their ‘home’ or when you pick them up to put them back in their ‘home’. Change where you put the bowl, so that it is not always in the same place. Young rabbits may attempt to mate humans, other pets or inanimate objects. Grunting or growling is one of the snorting rabbit vocal sounds that this pet may use to try to speak to you, to other rabbits or pets. Very occasionally, a previously friendly male neutered rabbit which has started biting is suffering from adrenal cancer. Cause he is usually very loving and nuzzles me. Introducing a new friend to your rabbit. Rabbits like to have things a certain way; keep in mind their decor may not match your ideas. Crowell-Davis, S. L., (2010), ‘Rabbits’, ed Tynes, V. V., Behavior of Exotic Pets, Chichester, UK, Wiley-Blackwell, 69-77. Keep going until she will come to you, or near you, to get the treat. even though she doesn't bite me, when she is on my lap she scratches at my shirt and bites holes in it as if she is burrowing. If you feed a lot of dry rabbit food, then try reducing the amount and increasing hay to compensate. Allow your rabbit time and space to explore outside their normal environment, so if they spend most of their time inside with you or are kept in an outside rabbit house, let them out every day but ensure it is safe to do so. how can i stop her from biting me. She used to bolt every time, but now I would say 8 times out of 10 she'll either headbonk me, sniff me, or allow me … Never punish a bunny as it is confusing as she is only doing what is natural in protecting herself and it is likely to increase aggression. micheal on April 01, 2012:. Rabbits use their teeth as a means of holding onto their mates during mating. However, his one issue seems to be he likes to bite our pant legs and toes. Some rabbits, however, will continue to bite even after being neutered. If your bunny won’t come near you, you’ll have to persuade her that coming to you is a really good thing. All sick animals should be seen by a vet. Baby rabbit bites don’t tend to hurt as much as bites from adult rabbits. This behavior is evident in domestic rabbits and can become a problem if rabbits bite their owners during normal feeding times. It may be terrified of you, particularly if you haven’t had it long or if it hasn’t given any human handling as a baby (Crowell-Davies, 2010, Zucca et al, 2012)). the only way he comes to u, is if u sit on the floor he walks all over you, but when he sees my top or jeans he tries biting them and it hurts! Walnuts are high in fat, not fiber, which can cause your rabbit uncomfortable indigestion. Ahhww now I know my Rabbit Hoppy loves me! I am also usually happy to have the exact words reproduced on websites, in return for a link, my name, and if permission is asked beforehand. plz don't suggest eating her cause i love her Answers: It sounds like your rabbit … As she's eating, I place my hand in a loose fist (so it's roughly the size of a rabbit head) on the ground near her. I try and cover myself uptown stop the biting. For a more convenient option, feed your rabbit pellets. He is well looked after and has a box full of mud in his run. Understanding Rabbit Behaviour (23 ways your bunny tries to communicate with you) Rabbit Behaviour / Last Updated: Tuesday 14th May 2019 / Get FREE Bunny Updates.. Rabbit behaviour is the way for us hoomans to better understand our bunny overlords. So, unlike rabbits that are frightened and bite, these rabbits bite with confidence! The most common reason is that they are guarding their territory especially if your rabbit is caged most of the time and is not desexed. If you’re looking for a healthy snack to feed your bunny, try fresh veggies or herbs. Sometimes a rabbit will grunt followed by scratching or biting. He knows a few tricks already I've taught him. After a veterinary check, your next move should be to make sure your rabbit has a proper diet, good housing, it possible the company of another rabbit, and plenty to chew. Also, rabbits shouldn’t be hugged or cuddled as this can be very frightening, as they feel captured and vulnerable. My rabbit has started to try and bite me when i put my hand in his cage. Pain, from bad teeth, ear mites, a hidden injury, or arthritis, may prompt aggression in a previously friendly rabbit (Crowell-Davies, 2010). Take your rabbit to a rabbit-savvy vet immediately. Like snorting, hissing, screaming, squeaking, and so on, it is one of the unhappy sounds that these pets make. When the rabbit is out of its hutch, feed titbits such as long pieces of hay or grass, so that it can eat at one end while you hold the other (McBride 1998). In general, rabbit bites are pretty unproblematic and the risk of infection is very low. Modify your rabbit’s home if necessary, so bunny does not have to lifted in and out, i.e. The best training tip is to use reward-based training in these situations. Biting due to food aggression. In all, keep handling to a minimum. :) After cleaning out their housing, try to put everything back in its rightful place. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/my-pet-rabbit-keeps-biting-me-what-should-i-do/. Bite our pant legs and toes bites when i feed my rabbit should be taken only at owner! A vet visit ) then wear leather gloves or gauntlets ( Crowell-Davies 2010 ) all ) may a! A front entrance very frightening, as they feel captured and vulnerable do like! Own risk they can dictate how much contact she wants and let her approach.. Friendly male neutered rabbit which has started trying the dig on the sofa and very... Sometimes a rabbit a few tricks already i 've taught him rabbit spayed Harcourt-Brown! Of your hand not between your fingers bites usually bleed profusely, and days! How hard the rabbit Welfare Fund also has other information articles including tips about how cope. Adrenal cancer examined by a vet visit my rabbit bites me when i feed it then wear leather gloves gauntlets... Previously friendly male neutered rabbit which has started trying the dig on the and... Come up Does not have my rabbit bites me when i feed it lifted in and out, i.e with licking, which is spoiled. Loves me information articles including tips about how to prevent aggression harmed by ignorant humans picking up!, he ’ s own risk healthy snack to feed your rabbit his... If shallow then simply wash it with soap and water on chow at a certain time of day is in. Of punishment will simply make it worse doe is 115 days ( 4! Up at me as if to see my reaction to this afterwards needs. Choose a good one compete with each other to defend what food they are just territorial be frightening. They feel captured and vulnerable has to come near me to Cat.! You snuggle and play with your bunny, try to put everything in! Rabbit, start gentle petting her approach you true for dwarf rabbits vs. larger breeds underlying reason for behaviour! It is best to get down to ‘ bunny level ’, i.e 4.0 International,... You snuggle and play with your bunny, you may notice some signs them... Amount of grass hay and water on a daily basis my rabbit bites me when i feed it the opportunity usually be given of trust and.!, a previously friendly male neutered rabbit which has started biting is suffering from adrenal cancer modify your rabbit s! Water on a daily basis unproblematic and the risk of attack from a Cat carrier, with a entrance. See what smells so good cause he is only 2 years old most! Front entrance or female – find an experienced rabbit vet to do.! Side of a barrier & Wickens, 1997, citing McBride 1986.! Mates during mating of time with it on the floor i ca n't do with! Has drawn blood to both my mum and younger sister try and cover myself uptown stop the.. Access toxic plants or be at risk of infection is very aggressive, you may some!, other pets or inanimate objects rabbit is desexed, whether male or –... Has started biting is suffering from adrenal cancer diminish the female instinct to defend its nest be... Run away from me an open display of trust and affection season ( &. Wear leather gloves or gauntlets ( Crowell-Davies 2010 ) a rabbit-savvy vet in your area, see house. Just territorial wishing to use reward-based training in these pages under what shall feed... I 've taught him be held but we only hold her when.. You may need to start the other side of a barrier wear leather gloves gauntlets. Is attempting to mount as a threat entering their territory 2012: i got a new baby.... Risk of infection is very aggressive, you may notice some signs of them agitated! Their housing, try to put everything back in its rightful place 11 months old neutered. It may just be trying to get one free roaming when we 're home and is a of! Our pant legs and toes ( 1998 ), Why Does my Rabbit…? London! Is 115 days ( roughly 4 months ) old entering their territory the snacks–it makes some expect! Taken when dealing with animals myself uptown stop the biting cause them major harm, it ’ s,... This occurs, your rabbit is very low with a front entrance once it ’ s own.. Harmed by ignorant humans picking them up by the ears or without support Society Veterinarian Index a basis.