Bunny pushes me away & bites

[senatcha93]

My female bunny(figured out she is actually 9 weeks old not 7 like I previously said lol) has started acting kind of aggressive and beotchy lately. I mean she is VERY tame and I can pick her up and she would sleep in my lap and stuff. But she also developed kind of an attitude. Sometimes when I touch her or touch her things she pushes my hand away or she would make a noise and bite me. It’s gotten to the point where I am very careful when I handle her. Like I’m always on the alert in case she might lunge out. It breaks my heart when she behaves like that. Is it the hormones kicking in that bring out this bad behavior? She isn’t yet sexually mature, right? She isn’t spayed and I would rather not because a breeder once told me that 60% of female dwarf bunnies die when getting spayed because they’re so tiny. But do you think if I spay her she will stop this and she will become calm? I definitely didn’t sign up for an aggressive bunny

[DesertBunny]

I have NEVER heard that about dwarf bunnies not getting spayed. It’s a far higher certainty that your bunny will die if she isn’t spayed. My suggestion would be to talk to a vet and not a rabbit breeder. And plan on spaying your little one so you can enjoy a full life with her.

[tobyluv]

It could be her hormones, although it is a bit early if she is only 9 weeks. I’ve known Guinea pigs who were spayed and did fine, and they’re smaller than a Dwarf rabbit. If you have a rabbit savvy vet, that’s the important thing, not the size of the rabbit. I agree with DesertBunny about taking advice from your vet, not from a breeder.

[Missybutt]

My bunny is a dwarf breed (Holland Lop) I took her to get spayed at 6 months, she did awesome– only took about 2 weeks for her to heal. I would defiantly recommend finding a vet in your area that specializes in small mammals, they can answer any questions you have. Having your rabbit spayed makes it so much easier on both you and your rabbit.

[senatcha93]

So what you’re saying is that the behavior of hers not related to her hormones because she is so young? It would mean that if I got her spayed she would still be like this because it’s her personality?

[sarahthegemini]

She needs spaying. That statistic the breeder told you is utter rubbish.

She doesn’t sound like she’s acting too aggressive – I mean, you said she let’s you hold her and stuff. At the same time, she doesn’t have to put up with being touched if she doesn’t want it. She’s obviously pushing your hand away as a warning sign and then nipping you if you don’t do it. Nipping is how bunnies communicate. She’s saying “don’t move my stuff” or “stop touching me” You have to respect that and you should be careful when you handle her anyway. If you don’t approach her properly, she might nip because she’s scared.

[Mikey]

Ive never heard of a dwarf not getting spayed or neutered. If you have a rabbit certified vet, they should know what to do, safely

That honestly sounds kind of normal. Is she biting and breaking skin, or nipping/touching her teeth to you? Bunnies will nip to alert you that they dont like what you are doing, just like trying to push your hand away. Its not aggression, its communication

[senatcha93]

I am from Germany and when I look it up if it is ok to get female dwarfs spayed the Germans comment on how unnecessary and how big of a procedure it is. Plus it is supposed to be dangerous. Maybe they think in a more ‘holistic’ kind of way (?) but basically I haven’t met a single person who recommends it to me. I am so confused on what to do! Please tell me what the right thing is?

[Mikey]

Up to 80 percent of female rabbits get uterine cancer by the time they hit 3 years old. Spays are more than necessary not only with hormones, but to ensure your rabbit doesnt have to endure the pain of cancer treatment and worse surgeries. Spays are not dangerous if your vet is certified and knows what they are doing

[Hazel]

Even if the breeder you talked to was correct (which she isn’t) and 60% of them die during the surgery, if you compare that to the fact that by the time the bun is 3-4 years old her chances of developing reproductive cancer will have risen to 85% or higher… well, you can do the math. As others have said, if you chose a vet who has lots of experience with rabbits, even a small one is in no more danger of dying during the procedure than any other animal. Just find an experienced vet, and everything will be fine.

Concerning her behavior, it could certainly be her personality. Rabbits in general are pretty bossy, and females can be quite territorial. Rabbits like things to be on their terms, they feel no need to accommodate their human slaves. If they feel like getting pet, they will let you do it, if not, they will make sure you know. Pushing your hand away and even grunting or a light nip is still a gentle way (in rabbits terms) to tell you they don’t like what you’re doing. They have razor sharp teeth, and if she really wanted to hurt you, she could easily take a piece out of your hand. I know it feels like she’s being mean, but for a rabbit, this really isn’t aggressive behavior, it’s just how they communicate. If she nudges your hand away or grunts at you, try to understand what she’s telling you and approach the situation in a different way so she won’t react negatively. If you have to move her stuff around or clean her cage, just do it when she’s not right there. Maybe keep her busy with some food so she’ll be distracted.

[sarahthegemini]

The right thing to do is to get her spayed by a decent vet.

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