rabbit threat bites when my hand is near his side

[mamineja47]

Anytime my hand touches or is even near my rabbits sides, he does a threat bite to make sure I move my hand. This is causing problems because i can’t brush his sides because he wont let me. I also can’t clip his back nails either.

I am now scared to try and brush his side fur because of this. Why is he doing this? Is there a way that I can get him used to it and for him to stop?

 

[Blue eyes]

Could you provide some more info? Neuter status? Age? How long you've had him? Is this a new behavior or has he always reacted this way?

 

[mamineja47]

Could you provide some more info? Neuter status? Age? How long you've had him? Is this a new behavior or has he always reacted this way?

He is 1 year and 2 months old, he got neutered last year. I’ve had him for just under a year (got him in July 2021 when he was 6 months old). He’s always reacted this way, but he bites less since he got neutered.

 

[Diane R]

Are you able to go up to him without him running away? Are you able to pet his head? Could you not gradually desensitise him by petting him and slowly start touching different parts of his body?

 

[Cinn-a-bun]

Cinnabun didn't bite, but would run from me if I pet more than her head or brushed her.
Started with head, ears, cheeks.
Very little pressure and slowly down each side.
Same for down back.
After bun will let you do that try massaging shoulders and hips.
When petting don't linger. Pet and remove hand or brush.
After a year I can brush Cinnabun, except her belly.
I can pet her all the way to her tail.
*Note it took me a year to get this far. But I'm a first time bunny mom and didn't push.

 

[JBun]

Rabbits when they attack each other, will often go for the sides, belly, and rump. So with this being a natural fighting behavior, it can make some rabbits sensitive to being approached or touched in those areas. He could be especially sensitive to this if he ever was in a fight with another rabbit where he could have been bitten there, previous to being with you. In which case, developing a trusting relationship, positive reinforcement, and gradual desensitization is needed to overcome this issue.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Aggressive_rabbits

 

[Kadams]

I’ve had my rabbit for a little over a year now and she just finally trusts me enough to touch her everywhere. She had certain areas that she wouldn’t bite if I tried to touch there but she would move away and stare at my hand. I have recently been spending more time with her and giving her a lot more attention and affection and she finally trust me enough to touch her anywhere. It makes grooming and nail cuts a lot easier. I would suggest to try to bond a little more with your rabbit without touching his sides and as time goes on slowly move towards those areas.