My rabbit will not sto bigtig me! Help!!

[Bugs]

I own a 7 year old male rabbit. And he is not neutered. It all started out a week ago when I brought him home from a friend. On the last day that she had him he started bighting her and drawing blood. At first I thought that maybe he was just a little home sick or something and that he would be fine once he was home. So I did not think to much about it. But never did. I would bring him up to my house everyday and bring him outside and hold him out there. But he would still bight me maybe 4-5 times. Its getting so that I don't want to get him out anymore. Because I know that he is going to bight me. And I do not want to be like that. I don't think it was anything that my friend did because she probably held him 2-3 times a day and gave him plenty of food, water and grass. I am really confused. If someone can help me that would be fantastic. I just miss having my lovable rabbit again.

 

[Devi]

Many bunnies do not like being held, it scares them. But if this wasn't a issue before now it could be that holding him could be causing him some discomfort maybe getting him vet checked to make sure it's nothing medically wrong with him.

 

[Bonsai]

I would ask your friend if there were any changes in routine or behavior on the last day he was with her. At 7, bunny is a little on the older end of the spectrum and there may be some health concerns. When rabbits do not feel well or are in pain, it could result in them biting. So I think it'd be a good idea to have him checked out by the vet to see if there's any problem medically that needs resolving.

Also it is important that you are able to handle him; perhaps you could get some thick gloves (work gloves would probably do) so that when he bites, he only bites the glove's material and not your skin. I understand how rabbit bites hurt, I have a scar on my right index finger from where my girl was not so pleased with my peasant-y ways and I insisted upon offering clover after making her go back to her hutch. It can make you a little gun-shy (bun-shy?) but it's important to get "back on the horse" and show him he's not the boss. But it sounds like there's some underlying reason for his behavior since it is new behavior.

Best of luck figuring out what's bothering him!

 

[Bugs]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. And thanks for the advice with the gloves Bonsai. The only real change was that he was getting a little more attention then he was and that may have triggered something pain involved with his old age. Since as pets gets older their bones and everything else are more sensitive. Do you think I should hold him a little less? Or should I just be a little more careful? Thanks again for getting back to me.

 

[Bugs]

I mean get older not gets.

 

[JBun]

I agree that having him checked by an experienced rabbit vet, is a good idea. At his age he could be developing arthritis or spondylosis, and this could make it painful for him, especially when being picked up and held. I would limit holding him to only when it is absolutely necessary, and this may help. If you continue to hold him and it is painful for him when you do this, he will start associating you with being in pain, and this wouldn't be good for your relationship with him.

If his reaction is due to pain from arthritis, your vet can prescribe an oral anti inflammatory medication called meloxicam, that can be given daily to help with the arthritis related pain. It is a common medication given to rabbits with arthritis pain. Many inexperienced vets will under dose meloxicam, and if an inadequate amount is given it won't prove very helpful with controlling the pain. It is important that the vet prescribes an appropriate dosage to ensure that it will have a beneficial effect with controlling the arthritis pain.
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Osteoarthritis_rabbits.htm

 

[Bugs]

Thank you all for everything. And thanks for getting back to me so quick. JBun thanks for letting me know about how much attention I should be giving my rabbit.