my bunny nipped at me?

[Delaney]

so just a little while ago i was trimming my bunny’s nails for the first time, he stayed pretty still for the most part but needless to say he didn’t like it for his first time. he’s almost 5 months old and is getting neutered on this Tuesday, so I know he may be a bit aggressive at this age and maybe that’s why this happened? but I was just lying on the floor on my computer in my room while he roamed around me, and then he came up to my arm and lightly nipped it? it didn’t really hurt but I could feel it so I jumped up and told him “no!” but he did it again until I got out of his way. I just wanted to get opinions on this and make sure it wasn’t because he suddenly hates me because I cut his nails? cause when I let him down from doing it I know he did kick his feet behind him as he ran off

[Deleted User]

It’s likely not due to his hormones. If you were in his way he probably nipped you to tell you to move. Nipping is a common way for bunnies to communicate. Asriel nips me when I’m holding the treat bag, but not giving him any treats.

[sarahthegemini]

Bunnies communicate by nipping. He probably just wanted you to move. 

[Wick & Fable]

That seems natural, especially because you were clipping his nails. Wick just nipped me a few times because of doing his fungal treatment, haha. Nips….

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Delaney]

thank you guys, i just didn’t know if it was out of anger or something cause he’s only ever done that one other time!

[joea64]

Don’t worry, he’s not angry – he’s just asking you to do something, or to pay attention to him. Fernando (my ruby-eyed white male) nips at my clothes every evening during floor sessions, either to tell me to move my feet or because he wants me to try to pet him (he seems to like making a game of dodging away when I reach out my hand to rub his forehead).

[Mikey]

You were either in his way or he wanted your attention. Its not hormonal. Nipping is how rabbits communicate that they dont like something

If Im on my laptop or phone for too long while in the bunny room, my bunnies will either try and throw my phone/shut my laptop, sit in my lap and actively try to steal my attention, or theyll nip at my feet/knees/legs until I put my electronics away. Some buns just demand more attention than others

[Bam]

I agree with the others. A little nip often means: Pets, please? Or You don’t happen to have a treat, do you? Or sometimes: You’re in my way, move.

An aggressive nip is rather difficult to mistake for anything else, but it can happen that the bun accidentally nips a bit harder than he intended. If the nip draws blood esp if it’s is paired with a growl and/or angry boxing, it’s aggressive/defensive.

[Deleted User]

Ophelia doesn’t usually nip me, she will just forcefully nudge me with her nose She will give a light nip if it’s the weekend and I am being particularly lazy about getting out of bed to give pellets.

[joea64]

Fernando was in a really playful, attention-seeking mood last evening – he kept making circuits of the X-pen enclosure during our floor session, and every time he went past me, he’d give me a little nip on my clothing and wait long enough for me to talk to him or pet him for a second or two, then scamper off again. Like @bam says, you’ll know an aggressive/annoyed/irked nip when your bunny does it, and those weren’t; they were quite gentle, downright teasing. I could distinctly see Fernando pausing before each nip, looked like he was thinking how to do it!

Panda, in case anyone is wondering, was in the enclosure hidey box as usual. She’s becoming less reserved over time but it’s a long, slow process. She did nip me a few times early on last summer, but hasn’t done it in a while; I wonder how to let her know that it’s OK to do it as long as she doesn’t overdo it (she applied her teeth a bit too vigorously on several occasions and I squeaked/screeched, which may have put her off).

[Author]

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