Cage Aggression.......

[Bo B Bunny]

We know that some bunnies are very territorial and will protect their warren/cage. Still, it hurts like heck when they bite!!!

What do you do when you have to reach into their cages? I pet Tony and hold his head down if he's extra aggressive...... or seems so.....

Just now, I did this just to get his food into the dish in his cage and he seemed fine, but I was stupid enough to try to pet him while he ate..... that was ok until I pulled my arm back out - I have a long blue and red streak across my inner arm now..... :cry2

My Baloney is a meanie!


*of course I threatened him that I would take him to get another tattoo..... he just kept munching*

 

[slavetoabunny]

My foster Snowball is cage aggressive, but I am attributing it partly to her poor eyesight (she is REW). Even out of the cage, if I move my hand too quickly towards her (especially overhead) she will lunge at it. I've just learned to open the door and let her come to me (she always does very quickly) and then I pet her head while I reach into the cage.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Bo will lunge sometimes - but has never bitten us for reaching into his cage. Clover has boxed at me once or twice, but Tony - well and he's not neutered either.....

I just need to not pester him at all in his cage..... even to pet him I guess.

 

[pla725]

I usually will talk and touch any that have "cage aggression" issues. It is their space and I respect that. I have on resorted to wearing heavy gloves with certain rabbits. I still try to touch them and speak them.Some of it is due inparttohormones and too much time in a small space.

Just a suggestion I changed all my cages to top opening cages. It does help.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Aww, Bo, I'm sorry Bo's being a bung hole. Could it be anything territory related or smell related? Hmm. That is strange he'd be so aggressive with you.

 

[gentle giants]

pla725 wrote:

Just a suggestion I changed all my cages to top opening cages. It does help.

That's not always possible, though, all of mine are stackers. I feel your pain, Bo, Sophie is still super grouchy about her space. Charity is much better than she was, so long as I don't move quickly or do something to make her mad. The only thing I have ever found that helps with most of them is having a treat in your hand when you reach in, so that the first thing they come to is the food. It needs to be something big enough that you don't get bitten along with the food, though. That and lots of patience. Hopefully that will help you out.

 

[naturestee]

It's generally not a problem with my buns because living in large pens reduces cage aggression a lot. At the shelter where they're in smaller cages I move slowly and deliberately. I try not to flinch if they act aggressive- it just teaches them that aggression works. Have a set routine of what you do in the cage when they are there and stick to it. Routines are comforting for animals.

Also, it helps to get them used to taking treats from your hand while in the cage. If you have to, start by feeding them treats through the bars of the cage. That way they associate your hand in or near the cage as treat time instead of an invasion of their privacy.

When I first brought Fey and Sprite home, I couldn't put my hand near their hay rack or water bowl without being growled at and slapped by tiny paws. Oh such marvelous things, hay andclean water! For the hay rack, I just only put my hand near it when I was holding a huge pile of hay. They quickly learned that hand= more blessed hay. It took them longer to learn that when I took the water bowl it would soon be replaced with more, fresher water in it. That was just a matter of having a set routine.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Tony is getting a little better. I think what happened was that Luke was feeding him exclusively and recently, he's been spending time with his grandparents - helping them on their farm. That leaves Lexi and I to feed him and I guess he thinks we take the food LOL! I fed him tonight and he laid down flat for head rubs while he chewed..... he's such a big goober.

 

[Jenk]

I'm lucky that Emma isn't cage aggressive in the least. Zoe can be (she's bluffed me with grunts and lunges); but I usually side-step any harm by approaching slowly and sweet-talking to her. But if I ever slip up and move too quickly for her liking, it's back to being bluffed. (I hope that she never makes good on her threats. :?)

Jenk

 

[pla725]

Marti one of my fosters has mellowed somewhat. She still boxs, lunges and grunts at me. She is a very vocal rabbit. I can understand her issue. She came from a situation where she was housed in a hot shedwith over 30 rabbits, most dead or dying around her. She was deprived of food and water and the most basic of care. Marti has come along way in the month that I had her. I respect her space. I also wear heavy winter gloves.

 

[Jenk]

pla725 wrote:

Marti...came from a situation where she was housed in a hot shedwith over 30 rabbits, most dead or dying around her. She was deprived of food and water and the most basic of care. Marti has come along way in the month that I had her. I respect her space. I also wear heavy winter gloves.

:tears2: That is horrible. That poor, sweet baby. I wouldn't be trustful of humans, either, if I'd been so mistreated.

You're a very kind soul in terms of your understanding, of your allowing Marti simply to be. I'm guessing that, with time, she'll come around to wanting/loving your pets, hugs and kisses.

Jenk

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I can understand why they might be aggressive if they've been abused or whatever, but Tony is spoiled rotten and still that way! He's such a brat..... I love him! LOL!

 

[pla725]

I think some rabbits like people just have personal space issues. Some people just need more space between themselves and others. Some just don't like others messing with their stuff or food.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

That's sort of what I told the kids because Luke of course is telling his sister that Tony hates her because he will nip her. Luke has just learned how NOT to get nipped LOL!

 

[Brandy456]

Babii is like that, I just quickly put my hand down on her bum. I don't hold her down or anything unless she trys to bite but in this case, she knows im there and not to attack.

When you reach into his cage to get something, show him what your taking first slowly. That way, it's not a suprise to him when you go in quickly and grab something. It won't startle him as much

Hope it helps

 

[Bo B Bunny]

We have issues with GIVING him stuff LOL!

 

[juliew19673]

pla725 wrote:

I think some rabbits like people just have personal space issues. Some people just need more space between themselves and others. Some just don't like others messing with their stuff or food.

From seeing "MANY" posts on this topic, some buns that have been kept "ONLY" in their cages are "fearful" of even You.. Breaks my heart and obviously am too knew to buns, but have seen similiar "aggession" in other buns that would take "one-on-one" daily interations (Call "Dr. Phil of Buns), that might make them more "open" but not totally accepting of you INTRUDING their personal space.

Like the idea of heavy gloves so that your not so "inhibited" in "jerking" away when they want to say "MY SPACE"..

Patience and protectiveness on your part is to be needed - and am looking forward to seeing how it goes with you and yours!

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

When I have to reach in their cage, I make sure I move quickly, or I hold them down while I get whatever it is I need, like the food dish, etc. If they start acting aggressive, I will tell them No, and sometimes give them a tap on the rump if they still choose todisbehave.

Emily