Bunny started nibbling us

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 9 months ago by Megabunny.

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- 07/14/2015 at 8:56 PM
  Sunnybunny
  Participant
  21 posts
  I recently adopted a bunny, my first one. He’s very sweet, he potty trained fast, and he’s been pretty comfortable with people. He doesn’t chew things or bite a lot so far. But recently he started both getting a lot more comfortable with my boyfriend and I, he started playing with us and he’s hopped on my lap just to check me out, AND nibbling on our clothes and nipping us. It doesn’t seem aggressive. I think he’s just exploring with his mouth a little more,but I don’t want him trying to nibble our skin (or even our clothes a lot) and I want to discourage it but don’t want to discourage all the other stuff. Any advice??
  
  I’ve started to cringe when he starts sniffing me. He drew blood once and it was my fault . The first night I had him I used my hand to get pellets out and it just smelled like pellets a few seconds later when I tried petting him he excitedly nommed my finger, but I think thats part of why I cringe… I’d love some help
  
  He’s about 3 years and neutered. I’m not sure how socialized with people he was at his previous home, he’s comfortable with other bunnies though.
- 07/15/2015 at 7:42 PM
  Ilovewiggle
  Participant
  3 posts
  That means he loves you and my rabbit likes likes nibbling on my clothes
- 07/15/2015 at 11:26 PM
  Sunnybunny
  Participant
  21 posts
  Dawww then should I not worry about him nipping hard in this context?
- 07/16/2015 at 8:48 PM
  Megabunny
  Participant
  2041 posts
  Rabbits do like to dig and chew on clothing, so you may actually want to avoid the injury by having a designated blanket to cover up with. Some people say you can squeal to show you’re in pain with this behavior. I’m afraid I can’t remember other suggestions. I got a lot of bunny hickies from my rabbit who used to do that. I do think he may get over it in time, but typically finding a way to avoid the problem is easier than trying to “train” the rabbit to stop any particular behavior.
- 07/17/2015 at 5:12 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  I agree with Megabunny. I think the nipping may be a form of the grooming that bunnies do to each other when they are friends. Even if your bunny doesn’t nip your skin hard (he may do that though), he may very well cause considerable damage to your clothes. My Bam is more fond of my mother than any other person in the world, he can sit in her lap for hours and be pet, and he has put holes in so many of her clothes that she now takes care to wear old clothes or wrap herself in a towel or blankie before allowing Bam up in her knee.
  
  Sometimes a bunny will nip rather hard if you stop petting it. This is to inform you that more pets are required. It’s not aggression.
- 07/17/2015 at 9:48 PM
  Sunnybunny
  Participant
  21 posts
  Thanks for all the info. I’ll be careful to not wear my work clothes to cuddle. He seems to have an affinity for chewing our pants, and my socks which he nipped a little too hard but nothing really bad. and I’m really glad to know this is in the realm of normal and even affection…
  
  He sat on my belly for a whole 30s without bribery, then binkied right after…I can’t get over how stinking cute he is. And I’m finding it really hard to stay away from home for long, fortunately my bf is Also finding it hard. But I don’t know what we’ll do we we go out of town next weekend (someone will come by to feed him and play with him, he’ll be more ok then us)
- 07/18/2015 at 2:31 PM
  Megabunny
  Participant
  2041 posts
  Oh boy. You’ve got it bad!! Just make sure the sitter is prepared for lots of phone calls ha ha
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