New Bunny Biting and Grooming Pillows?

[HenryBunny]

I just got my bunny, Henry, 3 weeks ago from an animal rescue. He has been coming up for pets and loves to cuddle, but last night he started growling. He was underneath the dresser that I had blocked off (obviously not good enough), so I suck my hand under to get him out. As soon as I heard him growl, I pulled my arm out and just let him come the rest of the way out on his own. He still is not very good with litter training, so this morning I stuck my hand into his cage to clean up his mess and he bit me hard enough to draw blood. I just had him out for about three hours and he has nipped me quite a few times on the hands, feet, and arm. He just comes up randomly and bites. The pillow I was using is very soft and furry, and Henry came over and was sucking and licking it. I am worried now that he is biting because he is bored and misses his family at the shelter and was grooming the pillow. Besides the biting, he is very lovable. I am just so worried that this biting will become a regular thing and I do not want to be afraid to handle him. Do you have any suggestions as to why he is biting and what I can do to stop it?

[Eepster]

The biting sounds like you scared him. Grooming is normal social behavior, does he have a stuffed animal he can groom?

[Pipje]

Yip the biting is out of fear, not out of boredom or aggression or anything like that. Most “bad” things rabbits do are caused by fear, so try to see things from that perspective.

Try not to put your hand in his cage or move it towards him quickly as this will startle him. He’s in a new place and bunnies take a while to relax and settle in, so he will be on edge and scared for a wee bit. Lie on the ground and let him approach you, don’t move but do talk softly to him. You can try to lie a treat on you or your hand, just as long as it’s always him approaching you. One of my bunnies was like yours when we got him, and it took us a long time of doing this to get enough trust for him to even let us move a hand near him safely, then touch him, then pet him. Now he is a little beggar for nose rubs!

Only clean his cage when he is out (and don’t pick him up to move him out of it, let him hop out himself). Rabbits are very protective of their space and belongings, and right now when he is in a new place he is going to me more scared so more defensive. If he does bite you then let out a high pitched squeal to show pain.

Definitely try and get him a stuffed toy companion. One of my bunnies loves to groom his toy bunny, and also the furniture and blankets! Make sure it is safe for kids/pets though (we got a realistic rabbit soft toy for dogs). This will help him settle in and give him some comfort.

Good luck with wee Henry, I’m sure all it will take is time for him to feel relaxed in his new home and his behavior will improve!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sounds like he was either scared or was being territorial. Some bunnies are more aggressive about their personal space.

Some bunnies just enjoy licking pillows, blankets, clothes and things that smell like their people. My Mini-Rex loved licking pillows. If I didn’t take them away, he would lick them until they were sopping wet.

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