My bunny is aggressive

[abbby]

Hey! Im not sure if im posting in the right area, im new, so sorry But anyways, back to my problem. I have a 10 week old bunny that is mix of something, i dont know. but every time i stick my hand in the cage, she attacks my hand.. She might be territorial, because when i take the top off of her cage, she's fine and nice. But sometimes she grunts when i try to pick her up. I wanted a bunny to cuddle with she was fine the first two days i had her, but now she is aggressive. Ive had her for 5 weeks. How can i make her less aggresive and more love able? Also, how do i begin to potty train her? I have a litter box in the corner of her cage, but she goes in both corners.. ugh. I dont remember my last bunny being this complicated. lol

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

Most rabbits don't like to be picked up, they're programmed to avoid getting eaten at all costs. I know if I was little and programmed that way, being scooped up out of my control would scare me! Even if it was my mommy. Build her trust by letting her come out of her cage on her own and let her approach you herself. Unlike puppies who are programmed to love nearly all people, rabbits take a long time to learn to trust.

As far as litter training, it will improve when you can get her spayed in a fee months. For now, make sure that the only "litter" material in her cage is what's in the box. For instance, if there is care fresh in the cage, and aspen in the box, since both hold in her scent, if she makes an accident, It's hard for her to tell the difference. Also, what is the size of the box? A lot of the time those "fit in the corner" litter boxes cause problems. Cat boxes are usually much more successful.

 

[agnesthelion]

Like Jordan said, bonding with some buns is a long process.

I'm an advocate of ignoring bunny to bond. For example, sit on the floor and let bunny come out on her own.

Read or watch tv but ignore her. Let her come up to you. But don't make a move to pet her or pick her up yet.

Continue this process. Maybe offer a small treat as a reward. Always make interaction positive.

Also, cage aggression and potty habits do improve with a spay.

I agree on the corner litter box. Agnes didn't like hers. She still used it, but wasn't a fan of the shape.

Be very on top of cleaning the spot where she goes that's not in her litterbox. She needs to smell that the only place she goes is in her litterbox. At the beginning I never cleaned Agnes's litterbox all the way. I always wanted her to smell her pee and poop in there.

Good luck!

 

[Hyatt101]

I agree with Lisa, bonding takes quite awhile!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat: Time, patience, and neutering too.