Rabbit out of character, biting, please help

[Rob]

Hi,

My generally very docile and sweet little Holland Lop has been a little too overvealous and nippy with her treats lately.  For the past year and a half since we’ve had her I’ve been able to hold a small treat in between my fingers and she would softly nibble at it making sure not to bite my fingers, succeeding every time.  Lately though, when we hold treats in front of her she’s been lunging foward and snapping at the treat, biting my finger twice and even breaking the skin.  I really don’t she means to be so aggressive about the treat because right after she does this and is closer she returns to softly nibbling the treat without nipping me at all.  She doesn’t thump or grind her teeth and lets us pet her and fuss with her right after.  I thought it might be that she wasn’t getting enough food on the diet I’ve had her on and she was hungry (the package recommended 3/4 cup of pellets and a handful of timothy hay) so I’ve given her unlimited for the past few days and it hasn’t really changed anything.  She was spayed 3 months ago (and this didn’t happen before the spaying) so I don’t think it’s hormones. 

Could it possibly be that her eyes are getting bad and she isn’t seeing the fingers around the treat as well?  She’s such a sweet rabbit and loves when people pet her so I don’t want to have to quarentine her in fear that she will snap at them, so I’m really concerned.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rob

[jerseygirl]

When you offer the treat do you hold it directly in front of her nose or to the side a bit? To the side might help her in seeing it, though they can usually smell treats a mile away! Perhaps she had a fright if someone (a visitor?) pet her inappropriately or poked at her and her lunging is a defense response before she figures out there’s no danger. Do you use any words when offering a treat by hand? One common verbal cue might help.

How long has she been acting this way? Though it’s been 3 months since the spay, her body could still be adjusting to the new hormone levels I guess.  Also, around molting time they can become ornery!

[Rob]

I usually hold it in front of her and call her name for the treat, which has worked fine since I’ve had her, just not the past three weeks. I’m also afraid that she may not be smelling as well as she is suppose to, I can drop a treat on the floor right under her nose and she usually passes it by until I pick it up and offer it to her. It could possibly be that visitors have been scaring her lately, she just moved to a new environment and everyone has been petting her, so maybe it’s just the change of setting and the extra attention from strangers. I really hope she get out of this phase if it is one, otherwise she’s as sweet as can be.

Thanks for your input!

-Rob

[jerseygirl]

New environment – that could be it. Ask that everyone respect her space until she’s feeling more settled and secure. Her trust may have wavered some.  Routine really helps so sticking to the routines you had with her in the old environment will be something familiar for her.  Even offer treats at a particular time for a while.   My lop is a bit “touch and go” and will avoid a treat if set by him when he’s being particularly wary. Of course, if she doesn’t improve, do go to the vet to see if there is some health issue behind it.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Could it possibly be that her eyes are getting bad and she isn’t seeing the fingers around the treat as well? She’s such a sweet rabbit and loves when people pet her so I don’t want to have to quarentine her in fear that she will snap at them, so I’m really concerned.

I was going to suggest that…one of mine is losing/lost his vision and he’s quite nippy for treats. I have to offer them in a flat palm (like I would a horse) or just put them down for him. I prefer the palm because then he knows where to ‘look’ for them.

But also the new environment might do it too-like Jers says-stick to routines to make it seem normal and see how things go.

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