Need some advice!

[delilahh]

One year ago I rescued a 1 year old rabbit who became Delilah.

Since day 1 she was VERY skittish. I absolutely cannot pick her up to put her back in her cage when I need to leave the room. She jerks and scratches and grunts until I let her go. I've always tried picking her up the correct way, supporting her behind and legs but she just will not have it.

She's never attacked me but she HAS attacked my mom. She stood on her hind legs, made almost a screaming sound, and scratched my moms arm open. My mom wasn't even touching her or doing anything that would startle/scare her. If my friends/family try to touch her, she'll either jump away or lunge at them grunting.
I'm even nervous when I put my fingers through the bars to pet her head or my hand in her cage to take her food/water to refill. Sometimes she rubs her chin on my fingers or puts her head down for head scratchins but other times she jumps back or scratches at me a little bit.
Now she's not completely evil haha. She'll jump on my bed and lay down for me to rub her head/give her attention but even still, she's not trusting. If I touch a certain place or move too quickly, she jumps up. I'd love if I were able to pick her up or even lay with her.

She's also a serious chewer/digger. She has cardboard houses and those little carpeted cat things allover the room to dig/chew and she will...but she also MUST chew every corner. I've even tried spraying bitter apple. She didn't mind the taste.


Mostly, I'd just love some advice on bonding with her. I can tolerate the digging and chewing but I hate that she's not trusting with me. Any suggestions?
:?

 

[Ape337]

Hi, sorry you're walking a rocky road with her. Is she spayed? My Trillian would nip a lot. She seemed very moody. Sometimes she was nice, sometimes not. She was 2.5years old. I hear spaying can help, but I also hear there's a difference between sexual aggression and the grumps.

I wish you luck, there are some wonderful , knowledgeable people on here that will give better info than me.

 

[Luluznewz]

She seems like she has some fairly serious emotional issues. She probably came from a bit of a rough background. Its really great that you rescued her.

I adopted a small female rabbit that was very skittish and fairly, to be honest. She never actively tried to scratch or attack me or anything, but she did lung at my roommate a few times. Shes gotten over all of that now, but its taken a really long time.

I just completely respected that she does not like to be picked up. I literally never picked her up except when it was completely necessary (like nail trimming). I even held her on the ground for grooming.

I wouldn't stick my fingers through the bars and would probably try to only mess with her cage while she is out of it. So maybe you could give her food and water while she is running free. This will help her feel secure in her own space.

With my rabbit I sort of just let her do her own thing and pet her when she wanted it and left her alone when she didn't. I dont mean that in a pessimistic way, I really love her and think shes a great pet. Shes just not much of a cuddler. I think the best thing I did for our relationship is let it be on her own terms. She comes up to me a lot and sits next to me while I read. I think its a fairly sweet relationship. She likes gentle nose rubs too, but hops away when she is done.

I found that sitting and laying on the ground helped her feel more comfortable with approaching me.

 

[delilahh]

Ape337 wrote:

Hi, sorry you're walking a rocky road with her. Is she spayed? My Trillian would nip a lot. She seemed very moody. Sometimes she was nice, sometimes not. She was 2.5years old. I hear spaying can help, but I also hear there's a difference between sexual aggression and the grumps.

I wish you luck, there are some wonderful , knowledgeable people on here that will give better info than me.

She's not spayed, I'm having some trouble financially and I was told by my vet rabbits should be spayed before age 2?
Oh I almost forgot, if I'm in a position she particularly likes, she will try to mount me. I was told females mount out of dominance and it's not a sexual action?

Thank you

Oh I'd also like to mention that I have read through the bonding with your bunny thread but it doesn't seem as though she's shy or afraid...of anything. She's very dominant and adventurous. I know she's not scared of me, she's just unpredictable and kinda mean sometimes haha

 

[delilahh]

Luluznewz wrote:

She seems like she has some fairly serious emotional issues. She probably came from a bit of a rough background. Its really great that you rescued her.

I adopted a small female rabbit that was very skittish and fairly, to be honest. She never actively tried to scratch or attack me or anything, but she did lung at my roommate a few times. Shes gotten over all of that now, but its taken a really long time.

I just completely respected that she does not like to be picked up. I literally never picked her up except when it was completely necessary (like nail trimming). I even held her on the ground for grooming.

I wouldn't stick my fingers through the bars and would probably try to only mess with her cage while she is out of it. So maybe you could give her food and water while she is running free. This will help her feel secure in her own space.

With my rabbit I sort of just let her do her own thing and pet her when she wanted it and left her alone when she didn't. I dont mean that in a pessimistic way, I really love her and think shes a great pet. Shes just not much of a cuddler. I think the best thing I did for our relationship is let it be on her own terms. She comes up to me a lot and sits next to me while I read. I think its a fairly sweet relationship. She likes gentle nose rubs too, but hops away when she is done.

I found that sitting and laying on the ground helped her feel more comfortable with approaching me.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure she came from a not so great home. I'm thinking there were kids that were rough with her so she had to develop the dominant and aggressive behavior to keep from being hurt?

I think that's how our relationship will be. I absolutely cannot even hold her down though. She was prescribed medicine and I just could not give it to her. I tried wrapping a towel around her and holding her firmly but she wouldn't even let me get close. I was very calm and gentle yet when she even sees me holding/folding a towel, she lunges at it. I just wish it were easier to put her in a carrier or clip her nails(which I also absolutely cannot do). She has a really stubborn, mischievous personality as well.

 

[ZRabbits]

The meanness is dominance in a bunny. I learned all about it from Kreacher and Dobby, my firsts. Your Delilah is not mean, she is trying to show you dominance because she likes you. That's what separated my Kreacher and Dobby. They liked each other, but with rabbits one must show dominance over the other. They are wild animals. Both would not back down.

My suggestion start putting a little money aside right now to get her spayed. It will be better for her healthwise. And the love she feels for you will grow without that feel of hormonal dominance.

As you don't know her background and what she went through, there will be times that dominance might turn to fear (as you were saying quick moves scare her) and the lunging and growling will show.

I'm new to bunnies too. June 4, 2011 is when bunnies came to me and my home. I truly put everything I could and focused on them. I can't help it, that's just me. And I watched and learned that hormones are just something that triggers sweet bunnies into, as some may think, mean. Remember when hormones came your way. I do.

Getting off my soap box, sorry, I think you should keep doing what you are doing with her. Love her, respect her, and then give her something that all does should get, spayed, because it will give you a longer time forming and enjoying that bond with Delilah.

K

 

[delilahh]

ZRabbits wrote:

The meanness is dominance in a bunny.  I learned all about it from Kreacher and Dobby, my firsts.  Your Delilah is not mean, she is trying to show you dominance because she likes you.  That's what separated my Kreacher and Dobby.  They liked each other, but with rabbits one must show dominance over the other.  They are wild animals.  Both would not back down. 

My suggestion start putting a little money aside right now to get her spayed.  It will be better for her healthwise.  And the love she feels for you will grow without that feel of hormonal dominance. 

As you don't know her background and what she went through, there will be times that dominance might turn to fear (as you were saying quick moves scare her) and the lunging and growling will show. 

I'm new to bunnies too.  June 4, 2011 is when bunnies came to me and my home.  I truly put everything I could and focused on them.  I can't help it, that's just me.  And I watched and learned that hormones are just something that triggers sweet bunnies into, as some may think, mean.  Remember when hormones came your way.  I do. 

Getting off my soap box, sorry, I think you should keep doing what you are doing with her.  Love her, respect her, and then give her something that all does should get, spayed, because it will give you a longer time forming and enjoying that bond with Delilah.

K

So getting a 2 year old rabbit spayed isn't as dangerous as I was led to believe? If not, I'll definitely save for it.

 

[ZRabbits]

delilahh wrote:

ZRabbits wrote:

The meanness is dominance in a bunny. I learned all about it from Kreacher and Dobby, my firsts. Your Delilah is not mean, she is trying to show you dominance because she likes you. That's what separated my Kreacher and Dobby. They liked each other, but with rabbits one must show dominance over the other. They are wild animals. Both would not back down.

My suggestion start putting a little money aside right now to get her spayed. It will be better for her healthwise. And the love she feels for you will grow without that feel of hormonal dominance.

As you don't know her background and what she went through, there will be times that dominance might turn to fear (as you were saying quick moves scare her) and the lunging and growling will show.

I'm new to bunnies too. June 4, 2011 is when bunnies came to me and my home. I truly put everything I could and focused on them. I can't help it, that's just me. And I watched and learned that hormones are just something that triggers sweet bunnies into, as some may think, mean. Remember when hormones came your way. I do.

Getting off my soap box, sorry, I think you should keep doing what you are doing with her. Love her, respect her, and then give her something that all does should get, spayed, because it will give you a longer time forming and enjoying that bond with Delilah.

K

So getting a 2 year old rabbit spayed isn't as dangerous as I was led to believe? If not, I'll definitely save for it.

At any age a spay could be dangerous. But I think it's more dangerous not to because of the tremendous odds of cancer. Does are meant to breed. Remember, low man on the totem pole of life, meaning "prey" animals. If she's not going to use it, things happen. Nasty things. You could get lucky, and nothing happens and she lives her life out with those hormones going through her. When she starts with "false pregnancies". It's not fair, IMHO, to let her go through this.

I would save up for it. As you are doing it talk to "RABBIT SAVY" vets, dig a little to help ease your mind that it will be better for her. I don't have does yet, but when the time comes, I will spay because it will be best for her.

K

 

[delilahh]

ZRabbits wrote:

delilahh wrote:

ZRabbits wrote:

The meanness is dominance in a bunny.  I learned all about it from Kreacher and Dobby, my firsts.  Your Delilah is not mean, she is trying to show you dominance because she likes you.  That's what separated my Kreacher and Dobby.  They liked each other, but with rabbits one must show dominance over the other.  They are wild animals.  Both would not back down. 

My suggestion start putting a little money aside right now to get her spayed.  It will be better for her healthwise.  And the love she feels for you will grow without that feel of hormonal dominance. 

As you don't know her background and what she went through, there will be times that dominance might turn to fear (as you were saying quick moves scare her) and the lunging and growling will show. 

I'm new to bunnies too.  June 4, 2011 is when bunnies came to me and my home.  I truly put everything I could and focused on them.  I can't help it, that's just me.  And I watched and learned that hormones are just something that triggers sweet bunnies into, as some may think, mean.  Remember when hormones came your way.  I do. 

Getting off my soap box, sorry, I think you should keep doing what you are doing with her.  Love her, respect her, and then give her something that all does should get, spayed, because it will give you a longer time forming and enjoying that bond with Delilah.

K

So getting a 2 year old rabbit spayed isn't as dangerous as I was led to believe? If not, I'll definitely save for it.

At any age a spay could be dangerous.  But I think it's more dangerous not to because of the tremendous odds of cancer.  Does are meant to breed.  Remember, low man on the totem pole of life, meaning "prey" animals.  If she's not going to use it, things happen.  Nasty things.  You could get lucky, and nothing happens and she lives her life out with those hormones going through her.  When she starts with "false pregnancies".  It's not fair, IMHO, to let her go through this. 

I would save up for it.  As you are doing it talk to "RABBIT SAVY" vets, dig a little to help ease your mind that it will be better for her.  I don't have does yet, but when the time comes, I will spay because it will be best for her. 

K

She has gone through a false pregnancy
I would love to get her spayed, I was under the impression it was just not worth it and too dangerous for rats 2+ yrs to be spayed.

 

[Ape337]

I've read literature that said rabbits have a higher risk after 2. I think your vet is putting you on your guard, like a mild warning. I've also read bunnies older than 2 should have blood work done to be sure everything is running smoothly. Did your vet suggest blood work?

On the other hand I have heard of many rabbits being spayed with no problems. The risk of uterine cancer is around 80% at least for an unspayed female so I would always get a female spayed just for that reason alone (assuming she's not breeding stock). But also her mental health will improve so much just in having those hormones go. I'm not saying spaying is the cure-all for her behavior, but it may help greatly. Perhaps some of the experts here will chime in with their opinions.

Something to think about anyway, take care :biggrin2:

 

[delilahh]

Ape337 wrote:

I've read literature that said rabbits have a higher risk after 2. I think your vet is putting you on your guard, like a mild warning. I've also read bunnies older than 2 should have blood work done to be sure everything is running smoothly. Did your vet suggest blood work?

On the other hand I have heard of many rabbits being spayed with no problems. The risk of uterine cancer is around 80% at least for an unspayed female so I would always get a female spayed just for that reason alone (assuming she's not breeding stock). But also her mental health will improve so much just in having those hormones go. I'm not saying spaying is the cure-all for her behavior, but it may help greatly. Perhaps some of the experts here will chime in with their opinions.

Something to think about anyway, take care :biggrin2:

My vet made it seem much more dangerous than some websites are stating. I also had no idea the risk of uterine cancer was so high.. I'm pretty much decided on getting her spayed when I have the money now.

I will ask for her to have blood work done and to be evaluated thoroughly and hopefully things will go smoothly.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

Getting a 2-year-old rabbit spayed is not any more dangerous than having a younger rabbit spayed if a rabbit savvy vet is doing the surgery. I'd definitely start saving.

It's best if you interact with her out of her cage as much as possible as unspayed rabbits can be very territorial about their spaces. Also, try not to pick her up out of her cage or to put her back into it. (If that's how you get her in and out of her cage.) Either let her hop in and out on her own or (if it's too high) use a box or carrier to move her.

Once she's spayed and calmed down a bit (4-6 weeks generally), I think you could work on teaching her to tolerate being picked up. Not necessarily for cuddles, but for health checks, nail trimming, etc. IMVHO, it's important that you teach your rabbit to be held before an emergency arises (vet, house fire, etc.) where you need to be able to hold your rabbit.

FWIW, she may never be a cuddle bunny. But start by getting her spayed, then see how it goes from there.

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[delilahh]

funnybunnymummy wrote:

Getting a 2-year-old rabbit spayed is not any more dangerous than having a younger rabbit spayed if a rabbit savvy vet is doing the surgery. I'd definitely start saving.

It's best if you interact with her out of her cage as much as possible as unspayed rabbits can be very territorial about their spaces. Also, try not to pick her up out of her cage or to put her back into it. (If that's how you get her in and out of her cage.) Either let her hop in and out on her own or (if it's too high) use a box or carrier to move her.

Once she's spayed and calmed down a bit (4-6 weeks generally), I think you could work on teaching her to tolerate being picked up. Not necessarily for cuddles, but for health checks, nail trimming, etc. IMVHO, it's important that you teach your rabbit to be held before an emergency arises (vet, house fire, etc.) where you need to be able to hold your rabbit.

FWIW, she may never be a cuddle bunny. But start by getting her spayed, then see how it goes from there.

Hope that helps!

Rue

She's almost always out of her cage now, unless I'm too busy to keep an eye on her or out.

I never pick her up out of the cage but I have tried to pick her up to put her back when I needed to leave right that instant and she wouldn't go back in her cage on her own. I've only tried maybe 3 times total in the whole year I've had her. I was successful once.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

Have you tried training her to go back into her cage on command? It might be harder since she's not spayed. However, if you feed her every time you put her into her cage, she should start to associate going to her cage and getting food, which for most rabbits is highly motivating.

Oh, also, one trick I learned that really helped is to get your rabbit to follow you. If a rabbit wants another rabbit to follow it, it will hop away, stop, look back at the other rabbit, then hop away again, stop, look back. Wash, rinse, repeat. So try this when you need her to go to her cage. She should follow you. Rabbits are very curious animals!

Oh, and if you ever see her doing that to you, try following her and see what she needs!

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[Jacki-Small-Pet-Select]

Firstly can I congratulate you on rescuing a rabbit. Sometimes (as in the case of Delilah), it can be a touch learning curve and take a long time before the two of you bond .

It does sound as though she had some poor care issues before she came to you. These can take a long time to work though - although I'll bet a year has seemed like a long time already

Totally agree that you should get her spayed when possible. Hopefully getting rid of those pesky hormones will help with her attitude towards you when in her cage. Plus the cancer risk is just so high in an unspayed, non-breeding rabbit.

Now, this might not be practical, but have you considered getting her a companion? Rabbits can (and are) successfully kept alone, but they are naturally herd animals, and really do benefit from company of their own kind. I appreciate that it means more expenditure for food, vets bills and all the other needs of a bunny - but it might just be what she needs. Obviously if you were in a situation to get her a friend you'd need to wait until she's completely recovered from being neutered.

Anyway - the best of luck with her. She sounds like a lucky rabbit to have been given a second chance.

Cheers,
Jacki - Small Pet Select