Is Marely desexed? The presence of the other rabbits that normally aren’t indoors, would surely make Marely territorial and aggressive, as would hormones also. you know, you guys have a bobcat that is sleeping inside your home beside your little boy like a tame lamb… a rabbit is far less powerful in the jaw than the beautiful bobcat. if you can manage a large cat like that you can find the origin of the biting behavior of Marely and correct it

I agree, I would try to work with Marely to get to the bottom of the aggression issue. If he is not altered and is in that teenager period (starting at 3 months and sometimes lasting up to about a year or year and a half), that will be a big factor. And even if he is neutered, having two “strangers” invade his home turf is enough to send many bunnies over the edge. Does he normally allow your husband to pick him up and “love on him”. Most rabbits prefer interaction on their level.

I’m thinking this post should be moved to the Behavior section because that is what this is.  The support section is for member’s whose buns have passed.

I’m moving this over the Q&A section as you will get more help suggestions and help that way.

EDIT:  Good idea – Beka I’m moving this to the Behavior Section right now.

—-MOVED—-

I also agree – if you can give us more info about Marley and the situation, then we can help get to the bottom of it.  

At the risk of sounding judgmental, I think the standard you are applying to Marley is unreasonable.
You bring an (unaltered?) rabbit indoors where the smells of Giant Predators (snakes and bobcat) is present. Marley is picked up by a human – who smells like predator(?) and the rabbit Bites…and it is the rabbits fault?

Marley may indeed be better off in a different home, as would your other rabbits.

I want to completely agree with Petzy (and some of the other posters).

Plenty of rabbits bite when picked up because they just plain don’t like it. If that’s the case, just tell your husband that he’ll have to snuggle on the floor with Marley.

Many rabbits also dislike strangers coming into their territory, especially if none of the buns involved are speutered.

In my opinion, this really isn’t the bunny’s fault.

I’m really sorry. From what I understand from your post, your husband has given you an ultimatum? You get rid of him or he will? I can understand his concern having an animal biting in a household with a young child – I really do. I would not attribute this though to Marleys personality, rather his species and handling of him. Could easily been one of the other two. If you really can’t work with your husband on this, I wish you luck on rehoming Marley. If you do rehome Marley & he is not neutered, please ensure his new owner does this. It will not go well for him if he is classed as aggressive. If you have a chance to keep him, we are certainly here to help you manage any behaviours.

I agree with some of the above posts: Marely is NOT at fault here. He was likely disturbed by first the other bunnies in the home that he was not used to, and then your husband picking him up while he was disturbed. He reacted as any bun would do when something is wrong. Don’t take it out on him, and don’t let your husband either! As for the previous bite to your son, I have to ask.. what was your son doing? I know from experience that 3 year olds like to tug on things they shouldn’t be

Unbonded rabbits generally seem to hate each other and the smell of the other rabbits could have made Marley scared, over excited and a bit aggressive, especially if he isn’t neutered. Also being picked up could have made him feel threatened and act aggressively towards your husband.
I hope that you can take a step back and analyse his behaviour a bit before you make a decision. If he is frightened easily and acts aggressive when frightened, I would consider rehoming him into a household without other pets and children.
I’ve been bitten by both of my rabbits on a number of occasions, and when I take a step back and think about the situation, there’s always outside factors.
Good luck, whatever decision you make. If you are rehoming him, take the time to ensure the environment he will go into will be a loving and stable one. Rabbits really do miss their owners when they’re rehomed!

This situation really boggles me when you have a bobcat in your home that could inflict serious injury to any of your family members, but you have a rabbit that bites and he has to be rehomed right away. (not that I know the background on your cat, he’s gorgeous, but huge…and that’s a very small precious son you have and it just worries me) I’ve been bitten by my rabbit, it hurts pretty darn bad, and yes, getting stitches is pretty serious. I just feel that once you get a pet, it’s your responsibility to take care of it no matter what, like it’s your child. You shouldn’t just discard it like dirty laundry once it “gets a stain.” I have a unaltered male going through bunny puberty right now and he is doing all sorts of crazy stuff that he has never done before. I really hope you can re-access the situation now that everyone has given you great tips on what probably happened in his little bunny brain and can give Marley another chance. I understand sometimes things don’t work out and if you do have to rehome him I hope you can find another loving and caring home. Best of luck.

Posted By Lintini on 01/09/2010 12:24 AM
(…)I have a unaltered male going through bunny puberty right now and he is doing all sorts of crazy stuff that he has never done before.

–like what? 

I recall one of my rabbits pre-neuter would bite my great dane in his legs really hard! People couldn’t believe it!

I agree with the others’ explanation of what was going on in Marley’s head when he bit. He also chose a very vulnerable place so it’s possible that he may not have intended to break the skin. I just had some wee teeth pull on my sock to let me know she’s in the room. But as they get older they learn to set their teeth without aggression, so they use their mouths and teeth like another paw to get your attention or to move or show displeasure. I think his age may be a factor in his breaking the skin.

But I am a bit concerned that your bobcat may be tempted by the bunnies some day. If Marley is on the alert and afraid, he may provoke a response that will ultimately harm him. If your husband is really giving you an ultimatum, then perhaps a new home with a devoted adult and no other animals would be a good move for him while he is still this young.

Posted By Petzy on 01/09/2010 04:26 PM

Posted By Lintini on 01/09/2010 12:24 AM
(…)I have a unaltered male going through bunny puberty right now and he is doing all sorts of crazy stuff that he has never done before.

 

–like what? 

I recall one of my rabbits pre-neuter would bite my great dane in his legs really hard! People couldn’t believe it!’

 

 

He’s been spraying my pillows, spraying ME, spraying my bed. I’ve been having to put him away at night because as soon as I get into bed, he hops in it too and then let the spraying begin. Which reminds me I need to wash my sheets again. Hormones.

 

Just from the freaky way my bunnies act when my poor old dog wanders through their room once in a while, I couldn’t imagine that Marley could ever really relax with bobcat smell around him all the time. Flop can come in the house walk through their room, eat breakfast and go straight back out and they are pretty freaked for an hour or so trying to see if she’s still in the house, I couldn’t imagine having a bobcat around them.

Cotton is scared of cats he will run in utter panic hitting himself on things.  Me can’t have cats. 

You know  the smell of another rabbit on your husbands hands may have set him off.        When I hold an unaltered male and come home Cotton smells it on me and litterally attacks me.  He has actually leaped from my lap to my face and got me on both cheeks.   

I learned if I am to handle a  bunny outside the house to wash twice up to my elbows and change clothes.  Perhaps a similar situation happened with your bunny?  

Had you son tried to poke or pick up the bunny and it bit or perhaps he was moving too fast.  

OH also Ruby  for a time there if i moved my hand too fast towards her face she would grunt and nip.  I move slower and let her know I am there.  She hasn’t grunted and nipped in quite a while as I have adjusted to her personalityt  and she mine.   She is really very loving just doesn’t like fast hands coming to her face.  

Could something similar have happened with your bunny? 

When Cotton is diggin on me and I try to pet him he will grab my finger and push it away.   IT is so funny but his message is clear.   Don’t pet me now I am busy digging on you Mum   or busy cleaning his thumper.  

Bunnies being prey animals have a different perspective on things.    I hope your bun doens’t get stuck outside and alone

Lintini, that’s just beyond tolerable.. you will be happy once his hormones have been checked.

BT: Cotton going for your cheeks? Ouch! But my rabbits would do similarly if given the provocation (strange rabbit scent).

Well Petzy I can say one thing.     My cheeks matched   lol. 

Yeah he is downright vicious to me if I smell like an unneutered male bunny      I avoid that now or  wash real good and change clothes problem solved.

Apparently, a rabbit’s upper incisors are more sharp than a rodent’s, and rodents can chew through concrete…so you have matching scars, is that what you’re saying, Bunnytowne?

No it didn’t scar thank G-d  he didnt bite me deep but he drew blood.    But he is my Boo all is forgiven

Rats can chew thru concrete.   Wow.   I guess their little teeth work away at it cuz concrete is pourous.   Never realized they could do that.

James Wife – hello, what is going on with Marley?

I’m glad you were able to find a new home for Marely and they will work with him and understand his situation.

though I am sure it was a tough decision, it sounds like you did the right thing for Marley and he has a chance to be in a home where he may feel less aggressive, whatever his triggers may have been.

You explained your bobcat’s condition, and it’s also clear that you love him a lot and give him the medication and restful environment he needs as well. I’m very glad you arrived at this resolution. My best wishes for Marley and his new family, and for you and your current menagerie as well.

I’m relieved to hear that when rehoming Marley, you made sure that he in a place where the people understood what they will be working with.

Let them know that if they do need help with the aggression, they can come here and we can help. For some reason I can be drawn to difficult somewhat aggressive rabbits. (Rucy used to be even considered an “Attack Rabbit” at the shelter, Jack and Viv were also deemed aggressive at one point) But with different training techniques I was able to help turn that around so if Marley’s new owners need help they are welcome to seek it here.

NOTE to our Members: I do understand why there may be misunderstandings/judgments/frustrations in this situation, but please refrain from replying that way to this thread anymore. Let’s just focus on the fact that it was insured that Marley was rehomed in a good place with owners that will be willing to deal with some aggression. (I mean we know what can happen in shelters to aggressive bunnies so this rehoming situation is a relief)

I’m sure this was not an easy discussion for you.
It sounds like you did the right thing for your family.
I think your bobcat sounds like a real sweet heart!

well i agree with most he was probably upset with the other smells and things and i agree with the others that said there liek your kids u do what u can to take care of them what if ur son bite u and u had to have stitches? u would get him some help and find out y he was being this way and fix the problem not give him away and i also agree that 3 year old pull on things they arnt suposed to and he should b watch VERY carefuly when around the bunny cause they can b mean to animals not meaning to cause they dont know that they r hurting i really hope u think this thro and dont just give him away whats the point of getting an animal if when things get tuff u just give up thats y theres so many homeless animals out there cause poeple give up n let them go

Posted By James’s wife. on 01/14/2010 09:26 AM

Posted By Beka27 on 01/08/2010 01:28 PM

I agree, I would try to work with Marely to get to the bottom of the aggression issue. If he is not altered and is in that teenager period (starting at 3 months and sometimes lasting up to about a year or year and a half), that will be a big factor. And even if he is neutered, having two “strangers” invade his home turf is enough to send many bunnies over the edge. Does he normally allow your husband to pick him up and “love on him”. Most rabbits prefer interaction on their level.

I’m thinking this post should be moved to the Behavior section because that is what this is.  The support section is for member’s whose buns have passed.

 

Our bobcat is not mean in anyway. He has never bitten anybody. He is just like a regular house cat. Marely on the other hand has  done this bitting thing from day one. I tried to fix but he just got worse. my husband had enough and said he had to go cause that could have been my son he bit.

I’m very glad you have found him a more suitable home.  Hopefully they will be understanding of his aggression issues and normal rabbit behavior and they can work with him. 

Now, I am unclear as to why your response was directed towards me.  I did not say a word regarding your big cat.  I did read your other posts and I understand that the bobcat is relatively harmless.  I was simply offering some insight as to why he may have acted as he did.

I am glad you found him a home that understands his issues.   Thats good.  Someone had given me a rabbit that was aggressive and they told me so.   Fortunately she never bit   me.   

Maybe she felt the unsureness of her previous owners in handling her who knows.   Doesnt’ matter now.  She is doing good and lets the man who has her handle her without problems.  I had fostered her.

Some rabbits are just out right aggressive.   There was a member here who also had a very aggressive rabbit.  She tried and tried with him.  I believe she rehomed him after a year or 2 as well.  i dont’ really remember.   I know she doesn’t have him now.

Rabbits can be different with different people.

I would love to hear marley’s new owners updates on him too.   Hopefully this new home will be what he needs and will work out great for him.  

Congratulations Marley on your new home.   Best wishes.

Someone gave me an aggressive  dog.   HE turned on me twice  and to the hs he went.  My son was 12 or younger and I couldnt’ chance that.  He was put down.  I did call around to some dog handlers and trainers.  I was told to string him up when he showed aggression.  However if I did it he would not turn on me again but he would turn on someone else.  He was not safe to keep.  Especially with my son.  I guess we needed Cesare Romano  the dog whisperer.

I understand if the rabbit hurt your son and he required stitches you may have gotten problems from the childrens authority people.  You just never know what people will do         Glad he has an understanding home hopefully it can be worked out with him there.

A bobcat how cool. As much as I would like a cat I can’t for Cottons sake.

Thank you for the update. I’m sorry, it must have been hard to give him up. I”m very glad you let his new people know of his issues and I hope they have success with him. We LOVE rabbits here. LOVE THEM! So we always seem to zero in to try get people to hold onto them when considering rehoming. At the end of the day, you and your family know all the implications and make the decision on what is best.
I wonder if the timeframe from when you joined this community & introduced your “exotic” pets  to then this issue with Marley actually worked against you a bit. I’m sorry if you were offended. We really aren’t a bad bunch of bunny-crazed nuts – really!

Posted By jerseygirl on 01/16/2010 12:17 AM

. We really aren’t a bad bunch of bunny-crazed nuts – really!

.  Exactly!   Because really, we are a good  bunch of bunny-crazed nuts!.      

It is true we can get a passionate about  things…and in a forum setting where  we can only get snippets and pieces of a whole story then sometimes there can be times where the thread can be a bit challenging based on a whole host of opinions and thoughts.  

Peace!