Is she being territorial over new cage?

[Godiva]

I just got my rabbit Jessica her brand new 4 foot long cage and at first she was scared. I guess she isn’t used to being in a larger type cage and I’m not sure how long her previous owners confined her to that 10 gallon aquarium. She also didn’t like her cage on the floor so we had to put it more leveled upward to be around waist high to us for her to feel better.

Today is her second day in her brand new cage and I think she is being territorial. I opened the cage door to feed her a treat and she attacked my hand twice in a row by lunging at me and trying to attack my hands with her front paws. And she makes a whimpering sound if she thinks my husband is going to grab her. But she is super nice when we are holding her in our laps or when she’s running around outside of her cage. I know most rabbits hate to be picked up. I’ve never had a rabbit have such an attitude over something.

She also thinks her litter box is her new bed. smh lol 

[drwil]

She sounds angry probably because of the new cage. A lot of times bunnies will thump and dislike their new home even if is much nicer.
She will get used to it and start to like it. She needs a place to hide in her new cage until she is secure.
BTW females seem to be more territorial than the males but every bunny is different.

[LBJ10]

Looking at this from her point of view, that 10 gallon tank was probably all she knew for quite some time. She was taken from that and it can be quite scary. She is probably feeling territorial and lashing out because she is now in an unfamiliar environment. Everything she knew is gone and there is a lot of uncertainty.

I would give her some time to adjust. It’s probably very overwhelming. I know that her reaction to the nicer cage isn’t what you expected, but it’s fairly normal behavior. Do you let her come out on her own? That might help with some of the territorial behavior. Make this new cage her sanctuary where she can go to feel safe. Allow her to come out on her own rather than reaching in and pulling her out.

[Godiva]

She hasn’t really wanted to come out of her new cage on her own yet. She just sits in either her litter box or in the corner where her hammock is above her. I haven’t tried to take her out yet by handling her. I just tried to feed her and she freaked out. But she is okay when I approach the cage without opening it. She will come to look at me and see what I’m doing. Any tips to make her feel more comfortable? I will put a rabbit hide for her to go inside of.

[Beka27]

Poor baby being cooped up in a tiny fish tank… She is probably just overwhelmed. Thank goodness you have her now.

As far as her going potty on her pet bed, some buns will always pee on soft surfaces. I would take that out for now and give her a hidey house that she can retreat into.

Give her time to get used to her new surroundings… Some take longer than others.

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