Non-Aggressive Lunging

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This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 5 months ago by Wick & Fable.

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- 10/19/2017 at 12:08 PM
  Aub
  Participant
  1 posts
  Hello all!
  
  I recently adopted a female rabbit from my local humane society to eventually bond with my male. She was recently spayed, so she’s been taking it easy in her pen (she will eventually free roam in my home). She’s very sweet and was even used as a therapy animal during her time at the humane society, but she has displayed a puzzling behavior that I don’t quite understand. When I reach into her pen to clean up after her, she will lunge at my hand, but she never bites or scratches me. When she reaches my hand after the lunge, she boops it with her nose and immediately drops her head, sometimes her head goes under my hand. Please understand that I am aware of her blind spot and always make sure to pet her before cleaning so she knows I am there.
  
  Can anyone explain this behavior? Is it aggressive in nature or is it a way that she requests attention? It’s pretty clear that she was abused so that may play a factor. I want her to live a happy and healthy life, so any advice would be a boon. Thanks so much!
- 10/19/2017 at 1:27 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  It seems like she mainly wants attention. Both of my buns do the same thing when they want attention. They just stick their whole head under my hand and stay there until I give them lots of rubs.
- 10/19/2017 at 1:29 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17030 posts
  She’s requesting pets! It’s a classic, and a really sweet one at that! She gives a nose-boop to alert you, then put her head on the floor to say “pet me now”. Bun’s do that to their companion buns, it’s usually the top bun that demands pets. (Not to worry though, she knows you’re not another bun so she’s not trying to dominate the household.)
  
  It’s not aggressive, although some buns can actually nip if you don’t comply, or if you stop the petting too soon.
- 10/19/2017 at 2:33 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  It could be that, but it could also be lunging to express the anger but not physically try to harm you. The few times Wick has lunged, he’s clearly upset, but he chooses not to bite or scratch. He just hits my hand with his nose/slightly open mouth.
  
  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.
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