Behavioral issues

[Sheridan]

Hi everyone, I’m in desperate need of some help.
I have a four month old female rabbit named Elkie. She is having a lot of behavioural issues – she bites and scratches a lot and won’t let me go near her most of the time. If I’m really lucky, she lets me rub her cheeks but that’s as far as we get.

I bought Elkie as a companion rabbit to help me through depression. But she’s doing the opposite of help at the moment.

I’ve recently heard that her mother was also an aggressive rabbit, and she was also taken from her mum at 6 weeks instead of 8. So I know there’s an issue there.

Elkie has had problems from the day I got her (6 weeks) – I don’t think it’s just hormones and I don’t know if desexing her will be a permanent solution.

Does anyone have any ideas? I don’t want to have to give her up for adoption but I am really struggling to deal with her.

Thank you ?

[Mikey]

Her age is a huge factor. She sounds like shes hitting puberty Rabbits can hit puberty pretty early in the behavior department. Bring her to a rabbit certified vet to start talk about spaying her. Once shes spayed, give her a month to recover, and you should start seeing some major personality improvements

If that doesnt hep, i would check her surroundings. Maybe theres something she doesnt like. Are you picking her up? Most rabbits hate to be picked up and will put up a good fight until theyre put down. I would start with a very passive tactic of laying down on the floor with veggies or treats. Allow her to come near you, let her take the food, and let her explore you. After she calms down and gets used to you like that, start doing that but adding petting. Pet her when shes around you about half of the time. Some rabbits just take a while to trust

[Author]

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