Nudging and biting ankle!

[luna]

Maybe someone can help me understand Poppy’s new antics. Lastnight i was in the kitchen and Poppy was nudging my ankle so i bent down and gave her a pet. Anyway i went over to the sink she came over and did it again but bit me on the ankle. Im not sure if it was a bite or nip but id say if i had not been wearing jeans it would have hurt.

 

Just a minute ago i was on the couch and the same thing happened. Nudge then nip then BINKY! does this mean she is being playful? Should i let her know that the biting is bold?

[clop]

Hi Luna!

From my limited experience, biting/nibbling can be a form of affection in the right context.

mLop used biting as a last resort (after nudging me) when I was in his way, or doing something he didn’t like. When he used to groom me, he would sometimes nibble/bite while licking. Everytime he did this, I would let out a high pitched yelp, to let him know it hurt. After a while he stopped. My friend’s bun would nip to get your attention, to pet or play with her. I read before that sometimes they don’t consider some bites hurtful, and when you squeal, it lets them know they’re hurt you.

I’m sure the resident experts will chime in and correct me if I’m wrong, and give more information.

[Beka27]

she LOVES you! yup, this sounds like the beginning “harmless” stages of puberty… it will eventually progress tho and become not so cute, so be aware… ;o)

[luna]

Thanks guys… oh im kinda nervous today. Poppy is going to the vet this evening and getting spayed tomorrow afternoon! wish us luckxx

[Beka27]

already?!!? wow!

well good luck!

please keep us posted Luna! speedy recovery Poppy!

[sweetbluebun]

I’ve noticed that my holland lop guppie will bite too. They’re not super painful but those little bunny teeth do smart! He likes doing it when I’m standing and my pajamas are sorta flopping around. He likes the fabric but I don’t think he realizes that my leg is beneath the cloth, or maybe he does and he just likes biting into things to get a feel for them. Either way, I usually let out a squeal and I move away but he COMES BACK! and bites again, at which point I just leave his xpen. This only happens when I’m standing, if I sit down he never bites, so I generally just try to avoid standing in the xpen.

[bunnytowne]

OH cool. spay right away gosh. You must be really annoyed with her nipping heheee. She should do well.  Keep us updated please.

You are a horticulturist.  Cool. That has to do with plants right?  Herbs too?

[dmh426]

My question was going to be “is she spayed”….LOL. It’s hormones, mom, pure and simple. she loooooves you.

[hooty22]

haha I get the head butt all the time. Its really funny when he takes off running from across the room and head butts my ankle…. Felony is crazy

[luna]

Thanks for all your feedback guys…thats nice to know she was being affectionate with me in her own little way. She is a real sweetheart. I take that over spraying any day.. he he! Oh and to Bunnytowne, yes i am a horticulturist.. and that includes herbs and anything that grows in the ground really. I do landscape design

[iriswarrior1]

In my house, a nudge and a nip, and DEFINITELY a headbutt and a nip, means get the heck out of my way, or just beat it. I only see it during bunny puberty, though, see my comments about Fang in AAARRRGGGHHH!! Smokey never bites ever, but he bit my sons while he was enslaved by testosterone, then he’d ‘herd’ them away from wherever they were that irritated him. When he was neutered, problems solved.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It does depend on context; Sometimes the nudge is “Mooove ugly huge rabbit-thing!” and sometimes it’s “hmmm can I get through here” and sometimes it’s “Groom me I loooooove you I love you I love you”

[Balefulregards]

You know – I have these chenille socks that Coco goes NUTS for when I wear them – They get bitten. i have always wondered if she thinks my feet are competing bunnies

[Cassi&Charlie]

Hahahaha Baleful! I have socks like that too, they always get bitten…never thought of it in a competing bunny way but that makes so much sense

[Mrs. Mommy Mordecai]

I have a problem. My baby bunny, Mordecai is really confusing me. Most of the time he’s the happiest bunny. He binkies around and sniffs me and is always on his hind legs looking around to protect me. And he seems to love to see me and have me around. However, lately he’s been acting different. I ussually let him sniff my hand to know it me. But this time he shoved me away with his nose/face about twice then nip me. Is that out of affection? Or is he saying “I don’t like you!” or is he merely saying “outta my way!”? I don’t get it and it irks me. Oh, and he likes me to pet him… HATES when I pick him up. I have scratches everywhere! What’s that all about anyway? Just instinct? If somebody can answer my questions that would be amazing! Thank you. I apolagize for the length of my message!

[jerseygirl]

They do have times when they’re just not in the mood for any interaction. Like when they’re going through a molt. Or it might be a smell on your hands that is not familiar to him.

How old is Mordecai?

If he continues to be not himself, it’s worth a check up to see it’s not related to anything healthwise.

HATES when I pick him up. I have scratches everywhere! What’s that all about anyway? Just instinct?

Pretty much. It’s to do with them being a prey animal. Sometimes I think it must feel like being swept up by a bird of prey. Can you imagine.  They just feel more secure with 4 feet on the ground.

It’s not a bad thing to get them used to being picked up and handled because we need to do this from time to time. I try keeping their feet resting on me and cover their eyes when I carry them. In general though, respect their wishes. We can always get down to their level and pet them. : )

[LoveChaCha]

welcome!

Is your rabbit spayed or neutered? Rabbits will tend to act up when it is ‘that time.’ Hormonal teenage months. It won’t disappear until your bun is fixed
Rabbits may look cute, but they detest being held. There are very few exceptions of course but a majority of rabbits feel secure with their feet on the ground. There are certain ways to hold bunnies but even if held properly will struggle. Its a prey instinct.

[Mrs. Mommy Mordecai]

He’s only about 8 or 9 weeks old now. That’s not too old.

[jerseygirl]

Not too old! But rabbit puberty is just around the corner. He might just be feeling more comfortable and giving you some sass.

[Mrs. Mommy Mordecai]

I think he’s getting fat too haha. Those are just rhe little things I just think about all day and night! His biting, nudging, and weight besides that I’m confident he’s happy and healthy.

[Mrs. Mommy Mordecai]

Timothy hay and pellets are always available to him. I give him carrots and a little bit of bread too but only a small baby carrot and a little chunk of bread. anything wrong with what im feeding him or the amount I’m feeding him?

[jerseygirl]

Probably want to nix the bread. Not part of their natural diet. Some young ones do ok on veg early but you could probably cut back on the amount of carrot too if you’re worried he’s gaining too much. There are other healthier options like herbs. Just small bits to start with.

Are his pellets plain or in a cereal type mix?

[Monkeybun]

Definitely cut out the bread part of is diet

[RabbitPam]

https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/a…fault.aspx

Hi,

We have a post in the Lounge asking members not to bring up older posts for new discussion. The post you have here is dated 2008. Since you’ve received some thoughtful replies, I am going to leave them for you to read, and put a hold on this thread. Please start a fresh thread if you want to continue to discuss this, or if you have other questions, which we welcome. It got very, very confusing so BinkyBunny wrote the post, linked above, to address this.

If you haven’t checked out the rules for the Forums in general, please read the two posts in this section:

https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/a…fault.aspx

It’s REALLY Helpful, since many members here are very experienced and are great at giving advice to keep us all from trying to reinvent the wheel-bunny style. So many of us experience the same problems. If you look at the top part of each Forum, you’ll see a red thumbtack holding several posts at the top. Those are really helpful ones we have thought were excellent and stuck there for everyone to re-read if necessary.

Thanks!

[Author]

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