8 wk old Holland Lop nipping at me

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This topic has 2sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 8 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 07/30/2018 at 5:10 PM
  ChesterBing
  Participant
  1 posts
  Hello everyone!
  
  I’m a first-time rabbit owner and this is my first time on this forum. This past Saturday I adopted an 8 week old Holland Lop with a broken coloring. His name is Chester Bing (no relation to Chandler Bing from Friends lol).
  
  I would appreciate everyone’s opinions on one of Chester’s behaviors that has developed over the past few days I have had him. He likes to stick his head through the bars of his cage to sniff at my hand and then lick it. He’s increasingly started nipping at my hand, however, and I was wondering if this was a sign of aggression and if he’s telling me to either to leave him alone or give him more attention. He usually gives me a little lick and then starts lightly and then more aggressively nipping at my hand. These nips are completely unprovoked, I just hover my hand near the bars of the cage and he comes over and then nips at me.
  
  I’ve attached some pictures of Chester for you all to see! Thank you for any and all of your comments in advance!!
  
  Inserted by Wick:
- 07/30/2018 at 6:29 PM
  Harveybunny
  Participant
  47 posts
  Chester is adorable! And welcome! (You’ll love it here)
  
  Rabbits sometimes nip gently (and not so gently) as a form of grooming, (a sign of affection) as they would on other rabbits. Sounds like Chester likes you. If this is paired with other aggressive behaviors like full-on attacking, lunging, and SUPER hard biting, seek help. But from what I’, hearing, sounds like he just likes you. Keep it up
- 07/30/2018 at 9:30 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17232 posts
  If he’s licking and nipping at the same time, I would call that grooming. If he’s nipping too hard, you can let out a squeal so he knows he’s hurting you. Wooly is very good about not biting hard, even when he’s upset or frustrated. He will just put his teeth on me to say he doesn’t like something. I’m pretty sure he learned this because I let him know when he was young that biting hard hurts me.
  
  Also, I have to agree that Chester is absolutely adorable!
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