my bunny ALWAYS nibbles me!!!! ):

[paige]

he is 3 months old if that matters. ive had him for a week and he’s not scared of me but the only time he ever comes up to me is to bite me!!! well, nibble me. it doesn’t hurt at all besides like a pinchy feeling. he bites whatever im holding, my clothes, my hands, my feet, my arms, anything he can! it makes me scared that one day he will bite me hard either on accident or on purpose. it’s constant too. if I’m in the same room, he is trying to nibble me almost the whole time. does he hate me or something?? why would this be so important???

Btw I try saying “ow!” In a high voice so he thinks it hurt and he just keeps doing it

[Bam]

It does matter that he’s 3 months old, this is the time when he’s becoming sexually mature. Bunny courtship is a lot about nipping. Other signs of courtship are that he follows you around, run in circles around you/your feet, pee-spraying on you and places were you often are and grunting. If he starts doing any of those things + the biting, then you can interpret it as courtship, he “thinks” you are a girl-bunny and he “wants” to start a family with you. It’s not that he actually thinks or wants, it’s hormonally driven compulsive behavior so he’s not really choosing to do it.

In case this isn’t hormonal:

Try to squel instead, it’s more like the sound a hurt bun would do.

Nibbling as you describe it is not aggressive. Rabbits often communicate with their teeths and mouths. Could it be that he wants you to pet him? Or that he wants a treat/more food? Or is he trying to get to know you and everything about you by exploring you with his teeth?

You should of course try and not encourage his biting. You shouldn’t punish him, that only scares a rabbit, but you can remove him from you if you think he’s doing it for attention, just make sure you do it very quickly, almost as the bite starts (in like split seconds), so he makes the connection between biting and being removed.

[MoxieMeadows]

My bunny used to do this when I got her at 8 weeks old. But it wasn’t softly, she would sometimes leave little bruises. And it always hurt. After I squealed or clapped my hands (a bun thumping it’s foot means danger) she EVENTUALLY stopped doing it.
I know that probably didn’t help much. But bam gave a lot of great advice.

[ChesnutKC]

My little girl bunny did this when she was young too at about the same age. But it also hurt and left little bruises. Usually I would squeal or push her away and she eventually began to realize that she shouldn’t do that. She still bites once in a while but is usually when im in her way and she wants me to move. (Such a demanding little princess!!) I’m getting her spayed this wee so it might stop soon. Spaying your boy would probably help too. But make sure he’s old enough before you do.

[vanessa]

Guin and Lancelot both try to nibble me for attention. I’m usually wearing long trousers, so most of the time the get my jeans. They are both 2 years old and fixed. Just demanding little divas 🙂

[Author]

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