Biting- Normal behavior?

[Battis]

Hello!

Our rabbit is about four months old, and we have had him for about a month. He is sweet and social, but I have had a few instances with him biting. The first few times it was just a nibble, which I know is how rabbits explore BUT yesterday I was sitting on the couch and he hopped up into my lap, I was petting him and he seemed content, he then crawled up  my chest and was hanging out there where I continued to pet him. Then out of no where he bit my neck, HARD; it broke the skin and left a big mark. Needless to say I’m kind of nervous to be around him now. I just want to know if this is normal rabbit behavior? I have three kids and I don’t want to have to worry about the rabbit biting them this hard….

Thanks in advance!

[JPetrucci84]

Hi Battis!

We rabbit owners know that there really are two different kinds of bites, both of which you’ve experienced. There is the nip, and the bite and I believe in that order, too. The NIP is pretty much stating “I don’t like that, please stop”. For example I helped my vet hold Cinder down while she was being examined and she was not hesitant to tell me she didn’t like it at all. It can also be trying to get your attention without broken skin. The BITE is a definite statement of “STOP!”, in my opinion. Where exactly were you petting him? I have read that rabbits don’t like being petted on the back or stomach (being prey creatures I believe), but Cinder doesn’t seem to mind. I think Cinder got quite a few good scars on me when I was trying to learn about rabbit behaviors the hard way. It’s not that she will bite every time, but I would go back and let us know if anything changed suddenly (hand placement, etc) to trigger this bite. It seems weird that he just up and bites, but it’s happened to me. Cinder has lunged at me for no apparent reason when I first got her! Hope this helps in any way.

Andrew

[kirstyol]

Is your rabbit neutered? Bramble started biting at about four months old, seemingly for no good reason he would be hopping about on one of us then suddenly bite, before that he had only ever nipped. Having never once been bitten by any of my previous rabbits I was concerned but after his neuter which was done early last month he hasn’t bit either of us, he has nipped occasionally but never a sore bite since

[ChesnutKC]

MY baby bun does that too. she’s 5 months now and still nips a lot and leaves little bruises on my arms or legs. But its ok. Bunnies nip each other when they groom. Your little bun probably sees you as the big funny looking bunny and grooms you, but doesn’t understand that you don’t have a fur coat to protect you from nips. If she does it again make a loud yelp or squeak and eventually she will understand that her nipping causes you discomfort.

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