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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Fairly new rabbit is very aggressive

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    • Kramer98
      Participant
      19 posts Send Private Message

        Hey guys,

        I adopted Bigfoot from a rescue about two months ago.
        Here are some facts about Bigfoot.
        He is about eight months old and is neutered.
        He is a New Zealand white.
        He seems a bit off.
        He is extremely aggressive towards humans but an amazing friend to Oreo (my Dutch girl about 1 year old)

        I have never hurt him or yelled at him despite the fact that he has bitten me repeatedly and caused severe damage.
        I make sure to hand feed him treats and food but he doesn’t seem to trust me.
        I am writing to you guys because I need help to understand what he is possibly thinking.

        Earlier today I put him on my bed and he immediately grunted and yelled.
        After a bit he settled down and began exploring and digging at my sheets.
        Shortly after that he climbed onto me and began rubbing his chin aNd bumping me with his nose.
        I let him settle down and I reached my arm out to pet him and he immediately grunted and lunged at me attempting to claw and bite my hand.
        Shortly after that I reached my arm out but didn’t attempt to pet him he slowly approached me and bumped me with his nose grunted and tried to bite me again.

        I think Jess bit off because every time he climbs on me he is very shaky and he just seems a bit clumsy.
        One time he jumped off my couch and hit his head on the coffee table.
        His binkys are also very unusual compared to my other rabbit.

        Anyways he is just acting strange.
        I don’t think he is sick or anything but I would just like to hear what you guys have to say.


      • DarthVadar
        Participant
        198 posts Send Private Message

          The clumsy thing is weird. Does he ever shake his ears or tilt his head? That can be a sign of mites (also known as ear canker), which can throw off the rabbit’s balance. He may have had them in the past, and developed a balance problem.
          Try stroking him from his ears to his rump in one continuous stroke. It has worked for me to calm down aggressive rabbits. Rabbits remember. If his previous owner treated him badly or neglected him, he probably does not trust people in general.
          Many rabbits bite if you invade their territory. My bun Panda, one of he sweetest bunnies ever, has bitten me through the skin many times because I was in her space. Does he bite when you feed him, give him water, and clean his hutch?
          Climbing on you and chinning is a very good sign. He enjoys your company and trusts you enough to sit on you. Some rabbits just don’t like being handled at all, but are fine being your buddy if you just let him relax. It may be the angle your hand is approaching that throws him off. Let him sniff your hand before petting him, then try scratching his forehead and between his ears.


        • Asriel and Bombur
          Participant
          1104 posts Send Private Message

            A lot of it sounds like hormonal behavior. I wonder if maybe he wasn’t neutered properly or it was incomplete. It can happen.

            The yelling is concerning though, as it’s a behavior they only do in utter fear. To be honest, I wouldn’t suggest touching him or petting him at all. That can take a lot of trust for some bunnies. Especially as a rescue you don’t always know what the previous situation was like. He could’ve come from utter abuse and neglect. I’d stop trying to hand feed him as well because some bunnies are very food aggressive.

            The best thing you can do is ignore him. I know it seems counter intuitive, but the best thing you can do to gain his trust is just doing your own thing, and stay on the floor with him at his level. Don’t pick him up, and don’t try to put him anywhere else. You go to him. Some bunnies never enjoy being pet, and as much as it sucks for us, it’s something you have to respect. My boy Asriel, I’ve had since he was 8 weeks old, and he’s almost 2. He still doesn’t not like being pet. You can give him some head rubs now and then, and he’ll hang out with us, but he doesn’t not want to be touched. Sometimes a bunny showing trust is just being there in the same room a few feet apart. If you stop trying to touch him or interact with him, the aggressive behaviors may slowly go away.


          • Kramer98
            Participant
            19 posts Send Private Message

              It isn’t really a scream its more of a grunt with a high pitched squeak.
              Sadly I know what a rabbit scream sound like from the time my other rabbit Oreo broke a nail.
              I try not to invade his space and I don’t really handle him too often.
              I let him go out off his cage for play time and when he’s fine I typically just follow him around clapping until he returns to his cage.
              Also he isn’t aggressive while he is eating if that helps.


            • Wick & Fable
              Moderator
              5813 posts Send Private Message

                Something to keep in mind is that the human body is very large. While you know your arm coming towards him is simply an extension of your body, he may not readily know or believe that, and becomes defensive at this new “thing” approaching him. Floor time is important, especially with no interaction, so a rabbit can learn you wholly, I find.

                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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            Forum BEHAVIOR Fairly new rabbit is very aggressive