Nipping Bunny

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This topic has 6sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by willowrocks.

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- 04/30/2017 at 6:55 PM
  Malisa C
  Participant
  1 posts
  I have a just over a year male dwarf bunny. He is very friendly. He always hops up onto you and loves the attention. Recently, he started nipping me and being a bit aggressive. I also have a dog, they always played together, slept together and just were always together. Recently he started jumping up to my dogs level and is nipping him too. My dog is no where near aggressive towards my rabbit. I spend a lot of time with him, we play outside all the time. I don’t know why his behaviour changed all of a sudden, it’s really shocking to me because he would never bite anyone. I have no idea why he is doing and what is causing him to. Any ideas on what it could be ? Thanks.
- 04/30/2017 at 11:07 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5820 posts
  Is he neutered? Aggressive behaviors can come from the hormones.
  
  Nipping is a way of grooming as well, but if it seems aggressive, it may be hormones.
  
  Another thought is he may be acting out because health wise something is wrong. When Wick’s molars were starting to frustrate him, he got much more stiff and sassy in terms of pees and poops.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 05/01/2017 at 12:32 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Nipping is a buns way of saying “I dont like that”. Have you noticed him nipping only during specific situations, or is it pretty random? It could also be hormonal, or a sign of a health problem like Wick mentioned
- 05/01/2017 at 6:42 AM
  Luna
  Participant
  2219 posts
  Nips can also happen if he is trying to get attention. For instance, if you are doing something else but he wants to be pet, a nip could be his way of saying “Hey! I’m down here! Pet please.”
- 05/01/2017 at 4:01 PM
  Jellie
  Participant
  43 posts
  My bun was nipping because he wanted to groom me, but he started doing it kind of hard. So every time he did I make a high pitched “OW!” sound and kinda pull away a little, and tell him nicely to please be gentle and give him pets so he knows I’m not mad. Took a bit but he stopped and now only does it gently.
- 05/01/2017 at 7:41 PM
  ThorBunny
  Participant
  824 posts
  It may be that he recently nipped you or the dog and then got positive reinforcement for doing so (attention, moving out of the way, etc). Now he thinks it is an appropriate way to express himself! I agree with Jellie, making a loud high pitched sound is a rabbit’s way of expressing pain. If you make a squeal or an “Ow” when he nips that will let him know he is really hurting you. When a rabbit nips another rabbit it is usually through thick fur, so he really might not know that he is injuring you with nips.
  
  My girl is also very friendly, and nipped a lot when we first got her. I think it is just a bad habit they pick up. After a few months of not reinforcing nipping (we don’t do pets or treats for about 5-10 minutes after a nip) and making a squeal sound when she does, she now nips very rarely and only softly.
- 05/01/2017 at 7:50 PM
  willowrocks
  Participant
  16 posts
  yeah my rabbit willow used to nip me but only when I wasn’t paying enough attention to her. Does your bunny have a good relation ship with your dog? Also, I would love some tips on socializing dogs and bunnies for the 1st time because I am getting a puppy over the summer and my bunny has never seen a dog. She is not to big but I wonder if they can be good friends depending on what type of dog I get. Thanks
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