The Bunny Basics

Wendy · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

I recently adopted a young bunny. (They didn't know the age)
For the first few days, he litter trained well, so I began letting him out. He was very affectionate, and liked to lay on my chest with his nose tucked under my chin.
Then he found a rubber band. When I took it out of his mouth, he hopped away from me. When it was time for him to go back into his cage, he growled at me, double-paw scratching me. Repeatedly.
Now, no matter how much time I spend on the floor with him, he won't let me anywhere near him and attacks me when I try to change his litter. Evil or Very Mad

What is going on?????
Help?

peyton716 · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 66

He may be becoming territorial. Is he neutered? If not, neutering can really help with aggressive and territorial behavior. Unaltered rabbits can get very territorial when it comes to their things and their area.

Aggression can also sometimes be a sign of your bunny not feeling well. It would be a good idea to bring him in for a check-up with a rabbit savvy vet to make sure everything is ok with him.

timetowaste · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Location: scottsdale, arizona

Romo · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Boulder, CO

Neutering definitely helps with aggressive behavior as well as other behavioral issues. Bunnies are much happier and healthy when spayed and neutered. Unpayed females actually have an 80% chance of getting chance if not spayed.

Wendy · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

An update on the angry bunny...
I did get him neutered. I haven't seen much of a change in him except that he doesn't attack me as much.
I"m not sure if I'm not spending as much time with him, although he does not want to spend a whole lot of time with me. When I leave him out of his cage he will stay with me for about 5 minutes and then gets restless. he will come back to me periodically and put his two front paws on me, but if I try to pet him, he runs off.
He spent about the first 4 months of his life in an aquarium-like thing in a pet shop. I think he just needs more time to socialize, but I'm also thinking his habits may just be ingrained in him now...
thoughts?

Wendy · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

An update on the angry bunny...
I did get him neutered. I haven't seen much of a change in him except that he doesn't attack me as much.
I"m not sure if I'm not spending as much time with him, although he does not want to spend a whole lot of time with me. When I leave him out of his cage he will stay with me for about 5 minutes and then gets restless. he will come back to me periodically and put his two front paws on me, but if I try to pet him, he runs off.
He spent about the first 4 months of his life in an aquarium-like thing in a pet shop. I think he just needs more time to socialize, but I'm also thinking his habits may just be ingrained in him now...
thoughts?

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 33

I wrote in to the bunny basic a few months ago when my male hollandlop Rookie was doing some of the same behaviors. The ideas they gave were to keep his routine the same. The more time you spend the better. Try not trying to hold him yet. Let him get comfortable with you and the suroundings. I have found there are times when Rookie dosnt mind to be held and other times he will nip and just wants to do his own bunny things. He is so cute I want to just cuddle him up. But to earn his trust and love it is almost like he has to warm to you not you to him. I also got my bunny from a pet store behind glass he was. Every time I go into a pet store I want to cry when I see those babys behind the glass and kids tapping for there attention. Give your bunny time. He will fall in love with you and you will fall more in love with him. There is nothing like a bunny kiss to warm your heart. If I was allowed to have more then my one id have many, but my husband says the dog and bunny are enough Very Happy

Good luck to you and your bunny. Just know that in time he will come around and you will be so happy to have him..

meri

Rookies human mom

Romo · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Boulder, CO

Not sure how long ago he was neutered but it takes about one month for the hormones to leave the system. It sounds like he came from a pretty bad situation at the pet store. The fact he is coming over to you is a really good start. I think he just needs to learn to trust you which will come. Giving him a small treat or a small piece of veggie will help him associate you with good things too. He also might be afraid if he lets you touch him you are going to put him back in his cage or pick him up. I know a few people who avoiding picking up their bunny for a bit until they learned to trust them more and it did wonders.

kayzee · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

One of the things that really helped with socializing our bunnies was to just sit or lie on the floor with them for extended periods of time. We started them in a pen with freedom to roam in one room and then slowly expanded it into the entire house. I just spent an hour or two sitting or lying on the floor near them without trying to grab or touch them. The rest of the family took this up and soon we were all "honorary rabbits" and they were willing to climb on and groom us and generally completely comfortable.

I have a bunny who is suject to holding a grudge...it took him six weeks to forgive me the last time I cut his nails. Rabbits are like people--sometimes you have to learn how to work with their personalities and they will open up to you.