Help- Mean Bunny

[wbkartie32]

Hi, I am new to this board, looking for some help. My rabbit, Bubbie, has been a mean one since I got her around 2-3 years ago. I originally thought she was a boy since she was so aggressive until I took her to the vet to get fixed. She was spayed and the vet informed me she was a girl. When I use to let her out to run around she would lunge and grunt at me when I got close. It was always IMPOSSIBLE to get her back into the cage, sometimes taking hours and trying to persuade her to move with a pillow or something.. to try and protect myself. I have been bitten, scratched, growled at so many times. So, this has gone on since I first got her but now I just cant let her out of the cage and I hate it because I know its good for her to run around. When I try to feed her or clean her cage its just more attacked to my arm, grunts and growls. Sometimes I can pet her head when shes eating and slightly calm. I just don't know what to do! When she was spayed the vet told me she could be like this because she is territorial. She has moved to a few different locations since I got her and allowing time out of her cage has never helped. What do I do now?

 

[OneTwoThree]

What kind of cage does she have?

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

Have you tried sitting on the floor with some treats in your hand? Or even treat training her to get back in her cage?

 

[LakeCondo]

There is an Animal Planet show called My Cat from Hell. Maybe something will translate to a rabbit. I think it's on Saturdays. I guess I'd recommend an x-pen. I visit my Honey in it & never have to put her in a cage. If Bubbie is a climber, you'd need to add a cover or some metal leaning in at the top.

 

[Flopsyrabbit]

Wow that must be really scary. I would suggest putting him in an ex pen. Also speak to the vet some things caused by aggression can have an underlining medical issue. I hope that bubbie will become a nice bunny soon.

 

[wbkartie32]

She has a NIC pen... I have changed it now and again. It has always had one or two shelves for her to jump up on. Except her current cage has been modified recently, it has no shelf but I will be putting some up soon. We have tried to persuade her with food in the past but I will try again with something more like a treat instead of just her normal food. I like the xpen idea... had to look it up to know what it was. That way she could have more room to run but easier to get her back in her pen. Thanks

 

[OneTwoThree]

An xpen should definitely help, my buns often hang out in their pens even when they are open to the house.

 

[OneTwoThree]

Theres also a couple other things, hows her diet? Have you had her teeth checked? Does she eat ok?
I never put either bun in there pen or take them out, I let them do it on their own terms. Now they go in on their own at around 8 because thats when I give them their salads. I also wont clean or go in their pens while they are in it, its their space. Does she have lots of bunny things to do? Cardboard box hideouts, tunnels, things to chew?

 

[wbkartie32]

She eats great... but no, I haven't had her teeth checked. And yea she has toys, loves to chew and hide in her cardboard box. I would always let her roam out on her own but she can only be out when I'm there to keep an eye one her. If I have to leave, she has to go back in her cage because she will tear up everything in sight. I will definitely get an xpen for her... and that way shes not in her cage while I clean it, like you said.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We had a Netherland Dwarf I named Mr. B (Beelzebub) because he was pretty much the same. He was an older rescue and was never handled, obviously. It took four years for him to become user friendly, so don't give up.

 

[wbkartie32]

Thank you.. I've been very close on giving up but I do really love her. I'll keep on trying to work with her! Thanks everyone

 

[jujub793]

Just try not to clean her pen while she's in it or putting her food in it while she's in it. She is obviously telling you you to STAY OUT, but sometimes you just have to ( cleaning etc), so doing those things while she's having her exercise time might help you get "attacked" less often until she figures out it's ok. Good luck and keep at it

 

[Tutter]

does she get frightened? like are there kids/other animals in your house who maybe wind her up or frighten her? or before you got her did she have a bad history with another owner or any bad contact with humans? hm idk what to suggest tbh my male bites a lot and growls and stomps his feet when he's mad but it's normally when we pick him up or when he has had enough of being 'groomed' of us and he is unspayed too. i hope it all works out for you hun keep us up to date!

 

[juliew19673]

I think (barring if she has any other healh issue, teeth problems etc as others have pointed out) she is just trying to say "Hey, this is "MY DOMAIN STAY OUT" which you cannot obviously, so you just need to pay proper respect (deal with the cranky) but let her know your going to clean her space regardless (become the Alpha).

She is having a conversation with you, you just need to learn to communicate, without seeming domicle. Patience will go ALONG way with her, do not be afraid to get bitten a couple of times, it will show her your not afraid of her "attacks". Some buns take awhile to trust you and hissy fits will be had. You could wear gloves if its bad, but buns do challenge you with what they have (teeth) or you can wait her out with just "sitting" with her for a good hour before you move anything.. Depends on the time your have. Less is more, let her come to you (my cranky guy will give me nose bumps on my knee when he is open to be handled)..
1
Good luck!

 

[OneTwoThree]

I completely agree with learning to communicate and read the body language of your rabbit! However, a couple things I've learned with my own... Being the alpha works REALLY well with dogs, but rabbits, being a prey species, need that bit of confidence and need to be the alpha over us humans to feel secure. Respecting their territory is an easy way to do this, and an easy way to earn their trust.

Imagine if you were stuck in an alien world with a giant 4 legged mammal who tried to push into your cage and touch you all the time. It would freak you out right? You don't know their language or intent, you'd attack the best you can, like your bun is doing.

One of the hardest things I've had to learn was rabbits aren't like dogs in the way of training, and if I act like the alpha like I would with a dog, its basically going to ruin any chance I have of a good relationship with my bunnies. They just don't have a pack mentality like dogs do.

 

[Deif]

i have an outdoor rabbit called strawberry, she was a rescue and she was there for 14 months because she was very aggressive that was 2 years ago i found that if i stay out of her space she's ok, if your rabbits an indoor i would suggest a run on the cage or indoor hutch with run and when she is wandering the house then clean out her house, strawberry is very territorial she even washes barney (her partner) if i touch him,it can take along time for them to trust you just a little bit but dont get dis- heartened xxx hugs

 

[MILU]

Maybe there's something that irritates your bunny, like paint or something that smells irritant to a bunny. Once my father had handled some gardening stuff, and even though he washed his hands, my bunny acted aggressive when close to my father. There has to be something in the cage that is disturbing your bunny, maybe it's unhealthy from a bunny point of view. I hope you figure out what the issue is...

 

[BertNErnie]

have you tried just sitting in a neutral place with your bunny and waiting for them to 'sniff' you out? i did that with mine and they became to trust me now we play lots and they love it, they go into their cage when i put their salads down, so i time it right with bedtime for them so they eat then chill for the night.
and remember not all bunnys like to be cuddled and fondled its just they way they are, you have to respect that.
hope it helps

 

[juliew19673]

OneTwoThree wrote:

I completely agree with learning to communicate and read the body language of your rabbit! However, a couple things I've learned with my own... Being the alpha works REALLY well with dogs, but rabbits, being a prey species, need that bit of confidence and need to be the alpha over us humans to feel secure. Respecting their territory is an easy way to do this, and an easy way to earn their trust. They just don't have a pack mentality like dogs do.

very well said.. I stand corrected (and informed).

 

[Jacki-Small-Pet-Select]

Hi wbkartie32

Really sorry to hear you are having these issues with Bubbie.

It sounds to me like your little rabbit is having both territorial issues, along with problems with stress. Sorry to put it so bluntly, but very often rabbits that are kept alone can become aggressive (not all rabbits, btw - before anyone jumps in to disagree).

The thing is, rabbits are by nature a herd animal. In the wild they live in large groups. They play together, feed together, groom each other, sleep together - all in all they interact with each other as a great big family.

Keeping a rabbit on its own is an extremely unnatural thing, and causes stress to the rabbit. This stress can show itself in many different ways - this might include health issues, nervousness, lack of appetite, low energy or - aggression.

Perhaps you'd do well to have a chat with a bunny expert, perhaps at your local rescue center or shelter. They might be able to advise you on how getting a companion might be the answer. Many people have been amazed at how much company of their own kind can completely change a rabbit's personality. After all, we keep pets for fun, and the last thing you want is to be worried that you're going to get hurt any time you touch or approach your bunny.

Good luck, whatever path you choose to take. And keep us all updated, as it'd be great to hear a happy ending to the story.

Kind regards
Small Pet Select