help with pet rabbit

lspencer001 · Jun 13, 2012

we have a rabbit that we rescued from a family member who was afraid of it. they had it in a small cage and did not clean the cage at all. when we got it it had a years worth of pellets on the cage floor. they were afraid of it because it would bite. now that we have it and in a much bigger cage it is really mean. it does not like to be touched and it does not like for you to mess with its cage. when you open the lid to clean the cage or to put food or hay in it will growl and charge you and bite to the point that it draws blood. we have to have it out of the cage just to add food and to change the bedding. also when you put in a new toy or something it will charge at it and push it aside. is there any way to get the aggression out. we have rabbits in the past and none of them have been like this.

MiniLopHop · Jun 13, 2012

Hi. Welcome to RO. I'm so sorry to hear things are not going well, but good for you rescuing the bun.

First I would suggest a check-up making sure the rabbit is fixed and that there are no health issues. If a rabbit is in pain they may lash out. If a rabbit is not fixed they can be extremely territorial, which is what you are seeing.

Once there is a clean bill of health and hormones are subsiding, you can slowly get the rabbit used to you and being interacted with. I suggest wearing a sturdy pair of gloves to protect your hands when entering the cage. The rabbit needs to learn that biting will not deter you. After they see attacking is useless you can try to gently pet. Keep the gloves on until there is no more biting because if you withdraw your hands it will teach them that biting will get their way.

You can slowly introduce treats that they only get from your hand (again, gloves may be necessary). Good treats such as herbs (parsly, cilantro, and lavendar are my kid's favorites) or small bits of fruit (strawberries, bananas, crazins). They can then associate your hands with good things.

Unfortunately it will probably take a while to rehabilitate your new bun. Please be patient and remember that rabbits are on the bottom of the food chain, everyting eats them. One that has been neglected is viewing the world as a terrifying place full of danger. The acting out is from fear.

Please keep in touch with updates.

ray:

Sweetie · Jun 13, 2012

I hope that there is a way to get this bun's aggression out. I would do the same thing you are doing, having the bun out of the cage to clean it and put food and toys in.

It does sound like this bun has been neglected and possibly abused. That could account for the aggressiveness. In time I think that this bun will be very sweet.

Talk to the bun softly and let this bun know what you are doing, which may help this bun trust you.

lspencer001 · Jun 13, 2012

thanks for the help. will have to make an apointment at the vet.

PaGal · Jun 13, 2012

I would also spend time in the room with the bun just hanging out and maybe even reading but paying no attention to the rabbit. It may help for him to relax around you a bit if you are around without being focused on him.