Rabbit and Human Baby

[Inle_Rabbit]

We have had Pepper now for 3 weeks. Everything has been great with her (except she still pees on the couch…) until last night. I had our 10 week old baby on the floor for tummy time and Pepper out of her cage. For seemingly no reason Pepper walked right up to our baby and bit her hard. At 10 weeks old the baby is too young to grab, kick, or do much more than wiggle on the floor. I know Pepper did not feel threatened for her safety and choose to bite the baby for other reasons. What I can’t fathom is what those reasons were? I’m also wondering if this is a sign that maybe a rabbit is not right for our family right now. Which, to me, is an absolute crushing thought. I’ve waited 6 years to have another rabbit. The baby is only going to get bigger and more mobile and start to do more and be on the floor more often I can’t have a animal that bites her. I always thought I would be protecting the rabbit from the baby not the other way around. So far Pepper has not bit anyone. Not the older children, dog or my husband and me, just our little baby.

 Anyone have any insight on this?

[Sarita]

Has it only happened once? Perhaps it’s just an isolated incident. It’s really hard to predict too much based on what incident.

[Inle_Rabbit]

So far just the one time. Pepper did break the baby’s skin so understandably we are concerned.

[Sarita]

Understandable – rabbit’s little teeth are sharp and baby’s skin is pretty delicate…not a good combination but I do think at this point you should call it an isolated incident.

It could have been that the sudden movement of the baby startled her but it’s hard to really know :~)

[BunnyLady1989]

I’m in agreement with sarita on this. I really don’t think it is an aggression thing either.

[MK]

Whether an isolated incident or not, I would consider seeking medical care for the baby, and watching for signs of infection or illness. It sounds like you need to start out with supervised socialization time between them.

[LBJ10]

I would think isolated incident too. It’s hard saying what was going through her little bunny mind at the moment. Something could have startled her or she could have thought the baby was something to nibble. Bunnies are curious and sometimes they will nibble to explore. I’m guessing the baby made noise immediately following this, so she likely knows that she caused pain. Bunnies can be taught not to bite hard by shrieking or squealing really loudly. They understand that because it is bunny language for “you hurt me”.

[Muffinluv]

*EDIT*

Woops, I realized in your post you mentioned you got her 3 weeks ago.  So protecting relationships is most likely not the case…  It could be territorial, female rabbits are known to be so when not spayed.  It could also be that she was frustrated with your child’s lack of response.  She wanted your baby to do something, and with being 10 weeks old, the baby did not react.  Often to show disapproval bunnies will nip.  To the delicate skin of a baby, this can be quite serious.  She was most likely not meaning to be malevolent, but to tell the “Flab of Human” lying on her floor to move.

 

Original Message:

Yes, I agree with everyone else, it most likely is not aggression.

But this is YOUR baby, and right now you should concentrate on keeping both Pepper and your baby safe.

1) Keep your baby off the floor, out of reach from Pepper, and make sure ALL contact from Baby-Pepper is regulated and conducted by YOU. Hold your baby, stroke Pepper and “Show” her your child whilst keeping her out of Pepper’s reach.

2) Don’t give up on Pepper! She probably felt the baby was threatening not physically, but with relationships.
Rabbits can be very jealous beings. It can often be observed when bonding a rabbit to a already existing couple.
Often, one rabbit will lash out physically in an attempt to show the other one, “He/She’s taken”.
This can include kicking, nipping, biting. It can even happen without ANY aggression from the receiver of this rather cruel form of rabbit communications.
So what you need to do is work with Pepper.

Whenever she nips or bites you, squeal. Be VERY over dramatic. She will most likely be shocked. This will teach her biting is NOT OK.

Don’t spank or hit, this WILL turn the communication into true Aggression. She will most likely react by biting and fighting in an attempt to protect her life. She will also begin to associate you and your baby as something to fear and attack. So it’s best to try positive reinforcement

3) Go it slow! Rushing risks another incident where Pepper or your baby could get harmed. Bunnies can learn to be good with children, but you also need to raise your child in a Rabbit Care mentality. Doing what I said in step #1 is a good start. It gets both the bunny and the baby familiar with each other. Once your precious darling starts to grab and touch, do the same thing only now taking the baby’s hand and petting Pepper with it. Continue to do this up to the toddler years, and make sure your teach your child how to be gentle with Pepper.

4) Stay Calm. This is most important. Your child and your rabbit will both take their state of mind from yours. If you are scared and freaking out, your bunny and baby will too. Your child will not remember this incident, but you will. You must make every attempt to make your baby and bunny feel there is no danger, even if inside you are freaking out and thinking “Is she gonna bite?” over and over again. Relax, and remember, Bunnies like slow movements. Jerking motions scare them. This will be ok because you are holding your child and they cannot be harmed while in your arms.

I hope this helps a little, if you haven’t sought medical attention yet, please do, you don’t want your little baby harmed.

Congrats On having your baby by the way I’m sorry that you had to be so frightened so soon. Good luck!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Since bunny is still pretty new, and most likely insecure, in your home. I’m assuming it was a reaction of fear and/or territorial issues. Rabbits don’t attack humans just to be mean. She probably felt threatened by a little creature on the floor (I very much doubt a rabbit recognizes an infant as human). I would keep them separate until bunny feels more secure and is more at home.

How old is Pepper and is she spayed?

[Inle_Rabbit]

Pepper is not spayed yet. She was found on the side of a road by a friend and we took her in. At first I thought she was pregnant as she had movement in her sides but it’s been over 20 days without any babies so I doubt that she actually was though her sides still seem to have independent movement. I have a check up scheduled for her next Tuesday and will scheduled the spay for the week after most likely.

I want to give Pepper some more time and another try my husband is a different story. He’s a bit freaked out over the bite Pepper gave the baby. Which is why I was asking for other bunny owner’s opinions on what happened so we can make the right choice and not the emotional one because I love small animals and rabbits are my favorite.

[LongEaredLions]

Thank you again for rescuing her, you did a good thing.
I think this is just an isolated incident, I think you should do what MuffinLuv said, and wait for anything to happen before making any drastic decisions. .

[Author]

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