Why is my baby bunny so aggressive?

[senatcha93]

My female free range netherland dwarf bunny is 11 weeks old now so therefore still a baby. However she is really moody all the time! When I pet her she sometimes (more often than not) head bumps me or even squeals when she sees my hands approaching. I can never pick her up, but I’m fine with that if it wouldn’t be for anything else. I have been really careful with her and have always tried to get her used to me petting her in different areas while I feed her (touching her belly, pretending to pick her up so she gets acquainted with the touch). However when she is not distracted she lunges at me when I try to touch her anywhere other than her back or even when it seems to her that I want to pick her up. This will happen as well when I just stick my finger out to touch her on the areas she is most comfortable with (head or back). I feel like she really has an attitude and it can only get worse from here on when her hormones start kicking in.

Any advice is appreciated!

[sarahthegemini]

She’s not aggressive, she just clearly doesn’t want you to touch her. Maybe she’s not comfortable around you yet.

[ThorBunny]

Be more patient with her on petting! Think of it from the rabbit’s perspective: she is comfortable with you petting her on the back and head, but every time you go up to her you do something she is uncomfortable with (putting your hands on her belly, and pretending to pick her up). 11 weeks is still very young and you will need time for her to fully trust you.

I adopted my rabbit as an adult, but she was similar with petting when we first got her. She would only let us pet her on the head and back, and would growl or run away if we attempted to touch her feet, belly or tail. I assumed that was just her personality and when I pet her I would stick to the head and back (and cheeks rubs). I did this for months. Recently, when I was petting her I realized that she is now fine with me touching her belly and feet, and even allowed me to briefly pick her up without a fuss! Moral of the story is you don’t need to keep pushing her boundaries, pet her how she likes so she can grow to trust you.

[Mikey]

My nethie hates attention unless he initiates it. I can only pet him if he comes near me, and I show him my hand first so he can choose to be pet or not. Most of the time he runs off all happy without me petting him. He sometimes will even sit on my feet or lay next to me, but unless he shows me he wants attention, reaching for him will only make him run off. I think of it like consent with him. Unless he actively shows me he wants to be pet(since he cant speak), I wont reach for him at all. Petting him only when he ‘asks’ has really helped our bond and has helped him become more secure and comfortable when strangers come around

He hates to be picked up so I pick him up as little as possible. To get him where I need him to go, I use pellets/treats/greens

Your bunny is lunging as a way to show you that she really dislikes what you are doing. I want to add that bunny tummies are often ticklish (atleast, all three of my bunnies have ticklish tummies). If she wants to be pet, she will let you know. Instead, you should try bonding with her on her level. Lay on the floor and keep yourself busy (laptop, book, handheld game, draw, watch a movie, ect), and let her do her thing. If she comes near you, say hi, but dont reach for her. If she explores on your back/stomach depending on how you are laying, let her explore and dont reach for her. This is the easiest ways Ive found for buns and humans to bond as it shows the bun you are not a threat, and that you wont grab/reach/chase whenever your bun does not want it

[LBJ10]

[Author]

Messages