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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Biting bunny

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    • Aeyja
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        Hi guys, Harvey is not my first bunny, but he is my first house bunny and so far I am finding it to be quite an experience! He is a 4 month old Flemish Giant and we have had him for just over a week. He bit me this morning (I think because my arm was in his way) and I am concerned it will be the first of many. How can I stop this behaviour before it gets out of control? I love him to bits but I have a young niece, so a biting bunny is not ok

         

        In truth he HAS bitten me before, but it was because I needed to pick him up or restrain him and he made it very clear he hates that, so those are forgivable. This morning, however, I was just sitting on the floor petting him. It was also a lot harder than the previous ones – it broke the skin and left a bruise.


      • RexCross28139
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          Hi, I think he has chosen biting as his way to let you know that he does not like what you are doing. My rabbit grunts when bot happy but that’s it. You should think of a way to let him know that is wrong but not by harsh punishment, just depends on your rabbit. Also make sure you go slow and be gentle because he could think hands are harmful and attack them and you don’t want anyone else to get hurt. Also check him he could be sore or not feeling good but I doubt it. I think he is just saying he does not like what you are doing so maybe try to avoid repeating that. If he does something bad maybe leave him alone and if he does something good reward him. He needs to trust you as we’ll as your hand. And if he does I think he will stop trying to defend himself. Hope this helped


        • LongEaredLions
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            Is he having any other aggressive behaviours? You may consider getting him neutered to help with this behaviour.
            However, if he has only been with you for a week, he probably isn’t completely comfortable with you yet. Maybe don’t pet him yet-just offer treats, and work your way back up. It may help.


          • Bam
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            16838 posts Send Private Message

              It does seem like a lack of trust. And I’d say that’s not abnormal seeing that he’s only been with you for a week. My second rabbit Yohio could bite me in the beginning. Now he just growls if he’s unhappy with sth I do.

              Whatever you do, never reward his biting. He musn’t learn that biting is a good way to get his way. When Yohio bit me (in an unfriendly way, not all bunny nips are unfriendly but you have to determine which are what by the context), I didn’t back off. Animals (and most humans) learn by trial and success. If it works, they’ll do it again and before you know it, it’s become a pattern of behaviour. Such patterns can be crazy hard to get rid of and it’s not always even possible. Obviously, with a young niece, you can’t risk that.

              It’s probably very wise to not pet him yet, unless he invites you to, of course. Gain his trust by becoming a resource and not a threat. A lot can be accomplished with small treats.


            • MK
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                In addition to all the advice above, if he does bite you, don’t hit him or anything, instead squeal loudly and shrilly. This is close to the sound other rabbits make when they are hurt, so that may help him figure out biting is not OK. I tried this for my bunny, and it does work.


              • Ellekke
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                  Frodo gives nips too when, according to him, we’re in his way. :/
                  He once broke the skin on my boyfriends’ back and he yelped real loud and that seemed to help.


                • Aeyja
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                    Thanks for the advice. MK I have read that elsewhere so that is what I tried to do, although it ended up being halfway between a squeal and a yell because I was surprised we never pet him unless he comes over and makes first contact, and I never go into his playpen – I sit at the door and wait for him to come to me. Treats are very difficult at the moment as he has mucoid enteritis so I can’t feed him pellets or veggies or any other treats. Hopefully once he is back onto normal food things will get better!


                  • Aeyja
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                      Also LongEaredLions, is getting a male neutered as important as getting a female spayed? I know that in females there is a high cancer risk, but are there any health risks involved in leaving a male entire?


                    • Bam
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                      16838 posts Send Private Message

                        No health risk (or extremely few, testicular cancer is very rare in rabbits), to leave a boy rabbit intact. It’s all about behavioural issues like failure to litter train, excessive pee-and-poop-marking, aggression and, obviously, if he’s going to have rabbit companions.

                        If he has mucoid enteritis, it’s not unliikely that his biting has to do with that. Animals who are not feeling well are more prone to defending themselves. (So are people, come to think of it). Poor little one,. (((((Vibes))))) for his quick recovery!

                         

                        Edit. I just saw that you were addressing LEL with this Q.  I hope you don’t mind my answering too. I have 2 neutered males, I was very reluctant to have the first one neutered (I only had the one rabbit for 1,5 ys) so I really tried to read up on the subject. I’m not a huge fan of unnecessary surgery on pets, but in my case, I had a monster of a pee- and poop-marker on my hands, so I decided to have him done.


                      • Aeyja
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                          His mucoid enteritis is mostly under control now thankfully but maybe he was feeling a bit off that day, hopefully he will make a full recovery soon! As he hasn’t bitten since I am going to chalk it up to new bunny nervousness and still getting used to each other. If it happens again I will certainly get him neutered, but I’d like to put that off for now if possible.

                          Thanks for all the advice!


                        • JackRabbit
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                            Obviously up to you on the neutering question, but it really does help significantly with the “moodiness” and takes care of the rabbit’s hormone-related frustrations (not to mention the inevitable spraying!).

                            MK & Elleke are right on the squeeling when bitten. It might take some time but most buns get the message eventually. Although one of mine gets satisfaction from a squeel when she is nipping playfully!


                          • Silverpaws
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                              A friend of mine and long term rabbit mother and rescuer, suggested something similar to coco, he is just letting you know he doesnt like what you are doing, but you need to show him bites are not ok. She said cry out so he knows your in pain, or clap your hands. This is like bunny thumping for humans, and slowly the bites will become less common until not at all.


                            • BunnyBrigade
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                                I just wanted to say, I definitely second what Silverpaws is saying. The yelping or clapping of hands works. Or if making of noise scares them, you can do a quick nip before turning your back on them. This shows them that what they are doing is not making you happy at all. My boy, Ian, was a bigggg biter when I first got him. And using the technique that Silverpaws suggested and turning my back on him, helped cut back/eliminate the biting.

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                            Forum BEHAVIOR Biting bunny