Mean Agressive rabbit…HELP

[SirThumpsey]

I recieved a rabbit from a friend and I do not believe she was socialized properly. She lunges, growls and sometimes bites. She is less like a house rabbit and more like a wild one. I believe the person I got it from had gotten her from a pet store and when she got bigger and cute factor wore off. She probably about doubled in size and is quite heavy. She really does not like being touched unless she is eating, which I found a little odd since you aren’t supposed to touch most animals while they are eating because some have food agression issues. Anyway, I think she is a little overweight and her nails haven’t been trimmed. I’m working on finding a place that could take care of both those problems. She isn’t very socialable but loves to go up to my other rabbits cage and sniff him. (I’m working on getting them both spayed/neutered so I don’t end up with more animals.)  Sir Thumps A lot is a very loving and well socialized rabbit and I had him since he was very young so he is used to the dog and plays with him frequently. He is the perfect house rabbit and he adores me.  He’ll groom me and give me kisses but Bunnie just runs from me and thumps and growls if I try to touch her. She will not eat out of my hand and I’m worried that she’s just not happy and this saddens me greatly.

 

My question is Is there a way to make her more friendly in her old age? (She’s not really old, she’s about 2 or 3.) Is it too late to socialize her? How do I trim her nails without being scratched to death if she won’t let me touch her?

 

I really hope you guys can help me out. After I get them fixed I’ll let you guys know how the bonding process goes.

[Sarita]

I have a rabbit very much like this. I think he’s wired this way. I have had him free roaming now for about 6 months and he’s very happy to be out and about.

Spaying is a good idea but it won’t help totally with the aggressive behavior and I do always advocate spaying. I think they behave this way partly out of fear. It may take time for her to trust you.

I think you part of this could be that she is a new situation and maybe she has sensory overload so time might help. It is possible she might have poor vision and if you are approaching her from the front you are startling her – maybe try talking to her to let her know you are approaching.

Alot of it will be some detective work on your part. You will just have to watch her and see what it is that sets off her aggressive behavior and try to work with it or around it.

Also instead of trying to approach her maybe give her some time and let her approach you.

I think at this point you will have to get someone (like a vet or vet tech) to help you with her nails.

I think she is lucky to have you as you sound like you want to work with her and won’t give up on her. Also perhaps once she is bonded she may calm down as well.

[SirThumpsey]

She seems to really “love” my other rabbit although that could be due to his gender. I have always been a lover of rabbits and I just want to do what is best for the little gal. From what I heard she’s been bounced around a lot. I feel bad for her and just want to give her a big hug but I suppose that will come with time. Thank you for your help and I am open to any suggestions you have for me.

I have never seen Bunnie binky and that has worried me a little but Sir Thumps a lot binkies more than he eats. Although I think I may have seen Bunnie do (I am not sure of the proper name) a bunny flop where she lays on her side or back. She has been calming down a bit.

I’m worried that having those two in the same room (separate cages of course) would make them too anxious and they would want to break out more.

[SirThumpsey]

I think at this point you will have to get someone (like a vet or vet tech) to help you with her nails.

I think there are some pet stores that will trim them for free but I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.

[Sarita]

I agree that pet stores may not be familiar with rabbits only dogs and cats.

If she’s doing bunny flops it sounds like she is content :~)

[KatnipCrzy]

I am not sure how long you have had Bunnie but it does take time for an adult rabbit to learn to trust you- even if you have been nothing but kind and giving to them.  I have experience with 2 adult rabbits that I adopted- Schroeder seemed to like me right away and have a good level of trust with me- but I still see improvements with being able to get him back in his cage at the end of the night- he is much easier to catch now.  Penny, the female rabbit I had adopted was tense with me at first and I could gradually tell that she was slowly relaxing with me- but her signs of outright affection to me- licking, nudging were not very often at all.

I thinking spaying would some behavorial benefits and the obvious medical benefits.

You may never have the same relationship with Bunnie that you have with your other rabbit.  Cotton my first bunny, I got as a youngster and she has a high level of trust and acts more like a puppy than a rabbit, and she thinks she is the Diva of the house.  I love her dearly and I love Schroeder too- but have accepted that they interact with me differently.

I think if you get her hormones settled and as she settles into her “forever” home better she will come around and you can learn her true personality as she gets to know you and maybe eventually be bonded to your other bunny.

EDIT: I would also add that I would find out if the petstore is used to clipping rabbit toenails- rabbits have a much more sensitive back and need to be restrained properly- much differently than a dog or cat.  It is not difficult to do- but the proper technique is key to avoid injury or stress to your bunny.

[SirThumpsey]

I have seen it done and sometimes if the rabbit doesn’t like being picked up (like Bunnie doesn’t) they will put them on the counter. They usually hold their back legs and front paws and have someone else do the clipping. Usually they ask that the owner holds them. I guess this would be because the rabbit would be okay with the owner holding them. As far as I know they are doing it the correct way.

It just worries me because her nails are so long that they are visible through the fur. From having a dog I know that the quick can get longer. Her nails are pretty dark too so it would be easy to hit the quick.

She really seems to like him but I think that might only be because he can get her pregnant and she wants to have babies. What unfixed rabbit doesn’t? I don’t think it would be too hard to bond them. I have been monitering them and they lay next to eachother and rest (in their respected cages or sometimes ones in the cage and the other is outside) I am hoping that I won’t have a problem with that and maybe he will be able to calm her down a bit.

[wendyzski]

A lot of her grumpiness may be hormonal and territorrial.  She may settle down afterwards, although she’ll probably never be a cuddlebun.  I adopetd a rescuebun when she was nearly 2 and it took a long time for her to trust me.

[SirThumpsey]

I understand how it could be territorial. She doesn’t want to share space with the dog but the dog has the run of the house for the most part. There is no such thing as nuetral territory. The closest thing I had was the kitchen where Sir Thumps a lot doesn’t go to often. My hope was that being near the family would help socialize her. The first time I opened her cage she kept going up to the door and sticking her head out like she wanted to come out, but was afraid. I felt so bad for her. I think one of her previous owners had owned many rabbits and were….well I don’t think I can really say. It falls under both of the forbidden topics. I think, she may have seen it done. I think that would probably traumatize any little bun. If she did see it, I just hope she doesn’t remember it.

[BinkyBunny]

Bunnie is sure lucky to have you!! Even if you may not feel appreciated with her behavior right now. Both Jack and Rucy were aggressive rabbits. Rucy even had the warning “attack rabbit” on her cage at the shelter. They made some major changes over the years. I really did work with them though on a daily bases. Rucy would bite and box, and Jack would growl and lunge.

I agree that spaying will be beneficial healthwise and may possibly help with some of the normal aggressive territorial behaviors. There are some definite things you can do to help her warm up and trust. The most important is what Sarita touched upon. Observe when she is aggressive the most – is it based on territory, how you touch her, like will she lunge at any approach, or just toward the side?

Rucy and Jack had different aggressive behaviors but I worked with them both in a similar manner.

Rucy was only cage aggressive, and though I allowed her to tell me get out by boxing me, her bites were bad, and so I would not allow her to bite me. I wore gloves and would put my hand in territory, and when she would bite, my hand would stay, but when she would box, I would pull my hand out. I also would bring in treats with hand which helped. She was always a rather independent opinonated bunny, but after about two years, she definitely learned to fully trust, and I could pick her up without a problem, she never would bite while holding her anymore, and she would come over to even ask to pet. (That was big for her!)

Jack was quite the tyrant at the shelter. The owner of the shelter even thought he might have to go to a bunny sanctuary. He was really scary because his growl was so loud and though he bluffed alot, he did bite a few volunteers. He was a very nervous scared bunny. But he came around very quickly. He never bit me and so I would just put a treat in my hand (gloveless), close my eyes, and give him healthy treats every time I would approach him. (I closed my eyes to prevent a “jerk away” reaction when he lunched). I would hear his growl and lunge and feel his mouth pressed up against my hand but then he’d sniff the treat and take it. I did this every day (and I had my husband do this everyday) for weeks on end. After about three weeks, he really stopped this behavior. We did accidentally and unfortunately train him though to “huff” when you bring a treat now which scares people who don’t know what he’s doing.

He also likes to be pet, so we would pet him after the treat.

I really love seeing the turnaround and even if it’s slower, like it was with Rucy, she offered so much entertainment.   She had a ton of personality and once she trusted, even though she wasn’t a cuddle bug always, she was a great bunny to just watch.

[SirThumpsey]

Sometimes it is a little difficult to tell. She lets me reach into her cage to pu food in her dish, as long as I do it very slowly. I think before I may have been scaring her. (I’m sorry, Bunnie.) She did growl at Sir Thumps a lot when he went up to her cage. I’m pretty sure if I touch her back side she jumps a little bit. I think her back is a little more sensitive or I may have scared her. She lets me pet her head but it seems to be more tolertating than enjoying.

I remember the very first time I heard Bunnie she was under the bed and I reached under (oops) and she growled so loud. It hurt my feelings a little bit. I don’t think I have ever heard a bunny huff but I might not want to.

I do have a question about the spaying though. I know in the long run it is healthier for her, but it’s surgery. I must admit that I am a bit afraid. Are there risks involved? I know it’s much more invasive than getting a boy altered, but I’m also worried for him. Perhaps I’m just afraid that I will lose them. I was reading the thread about people losing their rabbits and it just broke my heart. I went home and told my rabbits that they are never allowed to die. Of course I would never have any control over that, I just hope that they are happy.

I should probably just ask the vet about the risks. I found one that will neuter for under $90 but I’m sure they have to add something on to that. With the check up and what not it will probably be more but it was the cheapest place I found and it is right down the street from my house. Hopefully, they will treat him well when I take him.

[BinkyBunny]

It definitely is normal to feel concerned and scared.  So far many of the losses haven’t been caused by surgery, just another underlining cause – cancer or whatever.  But I understand that the thought of surgery alone is hard and yes, there are risks of course as there are with any surgery for anyone or any animal.  I think the most important thing is that you make sure to find a rabbit-savvy vet.  How rabbits deal with anethesia is different than cats or dogs, and a vet who has alot of experience with rabbits, or a vet who specializes in exotics will where you want to start.

A great place to start is http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html  There is also a link within that link that provides a list of rabbit-savvy vets as well as screening questions and answers you should be asking the potential vet.  And though I know a low price helps (and there are some good low-cost vet clinics that also are good with rabbits, but you do have to be careful with spay/neuter clinics and be sure to ask them the screening questions)  The most important is finding a rabbit-savvy vet and basing your decision on that.   Sometimes that choice may be a more expensive route, but in the end, it’s worth it.

[Beka27]

Welcome here. I don’t have much to add, I just want to say that Bunnie is a lucky girl to have a new home with someone who is wanting the best for her. Keep us posted on how she does.

[SirThumpsey]

This has been very helpful. There was one vet who had me on hold for awhile and then said they would call me back. They had to call me back because spaying/neutering a rabbit wasn’t a normal procedure :-O Yeah, Bunnie…you’re not going there.

I narrowed it down to 5 places. I heard from someone who has raised rabbits for years that the one closest to my house that was pretty cheap isn’t trustworthy.

[SirThumpsey]

Turns out that the one she doesn’t trust removes the food at 6 and the water at 12 the night before.

I should have trusted her judgement.

[babybunsmum]

hi sir thumpsey! glad to hear you’re checking out different vets for bunnie’s spay. i wish i had known to do that years ago when i adopted my first bun. the vet i went to at the time told me that rabbits didn’t need to be spayed. sigh. he was a very gentle and caring vet but just not at all current on rabbit health care. when my late bun baby needed a lump removed from her belly i found my current vet. she successfully removed the lump in a major surgery. i was terrified. but the whole thing went so well and everything my vet has told me about bunnies checked out with what seems up-to-date advice. baby bun lived another year and a half very very happily! so when i adopted my bunny pinky ifelt more confident about getting her spayed. her spay, a little over a year ago went very smoothly. it really helped me enormously to read about peoples experiences here so that i had an idea what would be involved.

pinky came with a warning from the humane society where i adopted her. they said she was very aggressive but it turned out that she was alot like binky bunny’s jack. she was a big bluffer! at first she would lunge and growl when i put my hand towards her or in her cage… now she still lunges but makes no noises. i think this is just in her nature. i don’t flinch at all when she does this because she has never bitten me when she lunges.

i had to laugh when i read your forum name. i called pinky thumpy-mc-thumperson when i first adopted her. lol. along with her lunging she also grunted and thumped very frquently. at noises, if i came into the room where her enclosure is, if i moved, and while at the vet’s office every few minutes just to show her displeasure! the vet techs would come into our room wondering what all the thumping was about. she rarely thumps anymore tho.

i think she calmed down in part from the spay and also from settling in here and me working with her (she was 8 months when i adopted her and a year old when spayed). i spent about 30 mins a day at least sitting on the floor not trying to touch her but just letting her sniff around me. i also fed her treats when she came near my hands. it worked great! she loooves head pets and tolerates being picked up now (tho i still have to corner her first). the only time she has ever nipped me is if i stop petting her head!

good luck! i think there’s a good chance that in time bunnie will settle and you will discover what her true personality is.

[SirThumpsey]

GOOD NEWS!!

She has greatly calmed down. I have been making her sniff me before I reach in to feed her and then I pet her a bit while she is eating. She will only let me do it. My dad’s wife gave her a rose and she grunted when she took it. Then when she tried to pet Bunnie she grunted again. She’s a little piggy sometimes.

Sir Thumps a lot has actually been a little more aggressive. They practically switched! Oi. He’s not half as bad as she was but I think he just gets way to excited because neither of they are altered yet. I have chosen my vet of choice and the price isn’t too bad. I’m just waiting for the funds to come through to make the appointment. I think we’re going to neuter him first and then get Bunnie spayed. That should cut down on his spraying. (yuck!)

[BinkyBunny]

Sounds like things are progressing well with her. An yes, the spraying is eck and neutering should help with that. How old is Bunnie? The only reason is if you think she could be a bit older, it may be best to do her first, because of the higher rate that females get cancer of their reproductive organs. Also I found out this week from my vet, that females that were spayed later in their life have a more likelihood of getting mammary tumors than of females that were spayed earlier on.

EDITED TO CLARIFY as I forgot to add an important word -  it may be best to do her first, because of the higher rate that females get cancer of their reproductive organs.

[SirThumpsey]

Wha? O.o She’s about 2 or 2 1/2.

I have never heard anything like that. But then again I didn’t have a vet until last week.
I will definitly ask him/her about that and see what she thinks.

I have an appointment to for his check up on Friday.

The reason I have been putting her spaying off a little bit is because the girl who had her previously had another rabbit and let them run around together. She doesn’t know the gender of the other rabbit.   She’s 14 and isn’t really that responsible for the animals. Her mom takes care of them all. All nine of them.

Bunnie isn’t really aggressive except a little bit towards Sir Thumps a lot. He tried to groom her through the cage and she batted at him with her paws. I don’t think she would let me touch her to see if shes pregnant. I guess perhaps the vet could do a test and find out…Do they have pregnancy tests for rabbits?

 

They have been playing the “I’m a happier rabbit than you are!” game. She flops he binkies….it just goes back and forth.  I don’t think there is a way to get them to stop. It is a little fun to watch, but kind of sad.

[Beka27]

It is difficult to tell if a rabbit is pregnant, even for a vet, until the last few days or week when they start to get bigger and begin to build a nest. If it’s early enough since she might have been impregnated, some vets will do an emergency spay, this will spay her and terminate the pregnancy. From the sounds of it, she would be nearing the end now tho, so that would probably no longer be an option.

[SirThumpsey]

That is interesting and I have never heard that. My friend was once a Vet Tech and explained it to me.

I let her out a couple nights ago and she layed down right in front of me. I let her sniff my hand and she stuck her head out! I started petting her and grooming her like I do with Sir Thumps. He started frantically running around his cage. He got so jealous that he made this growling noise and thumped! The rabbit lives up to his name. I have actually only heard him thump a total of three times.

I guess it’s possible for rabbits to emit human like emotions. I thought it was kind of cute though.

[bunnytowne]

Yep they sure do get jealous.   Just ask Cotton…  He attacks me if he smells any other bun but Ruby on me.  Thats why t hey dont’ get along I th ink jealousy

I had a horse and I got another one for my son…   I never thougth Johnny horse would be jealous.  Never occurred to me.   I let them pasture together and Johnny horse was after the shetland like mad.  I could not put them out together ever.  I know dogs get jealous but I never thought a horse would.   sure enuf  jealous

[SirThumpsey]

I thought it was pretty cute though.

My dog has gotten so jealous before when I was talking on the phone that he pushed the phone right out of my hand. Because it was one of those phones you slide open, it hung up on the person. Got the job done though….:-)

[SirThumpsey]

She has calmed down a lot, more than I ever thought she would. She groomed me the other day. I was so happy, I could have binkied. (Didn’t, Afraid I would injure myself)

Pretty sure that she is. Her nipples are swollen and there is little hair around them. I think she started pulling it out. I keep asking her (as if she’d answer) what I could do to make her more comfy. If she starts answering, I may have to drive myself to the crazy house. lol. Oh how I wish they could actually talk…

I’m wondering if she is much calmer because of her hormones from being pregnant or if she is beginning to calm down in general. I wouldn’t like it if after she had her kits (still waiting) she resorted back to her old self. Hopefully, she will stay relatively calm.

I’m okay that she isn’t a cuddle bun. I can’t imagine her ever being one.

Once she has her kits and I find my camera, I will post pictures. I’m so excited. I’m afraid that I’ll come home and she will have already had them. I’m expecting that will be what happens though. I’m pretty sure that people rarely see their rabbits give birth.

[SirThumpsey]

She has become such a sweet lovable rabbit. She never really got along with the dog. Not that I would ever expect a prey animal to get along with a potential predator.

Unfortunatly, I came home today and found her lying in a bunny flop, not breathing. From the looks of it she bled out during birth. I am proud that I could be her forever home. It brings me comfort to know that she was truly happy and wish that she could have been with me longer.

[Author]

Messages