Yohio bit my leg, drew blood

[Bam]

I was in the bathroom putting on mascara when Yohio came running at full speed from the hallway, grunted, stood on his hind legs and bit my calf so it started to bleed.

Is he a crazy rabbit? Bam has chosen the bedroom as his summer-habitat, probably because its the coolest room, so Yohio can have the livingroom, hallway and bathroom to roam free in. So I don’t know why he suddenly felt the need to protect his home (the bathroom) from me, it’s not as if I’m not in there like 15 times a day every day and he wasn’t even there when I went in this time.

I kicked him away (well not really kicked, more like a push with my foot) so he ran away, but 10 seconds later he was back, no grunting or biting this time, but standing on his hind legs as if he was looking for a treat. (I didn’t give hime any). It’s raining today and not at all hot so it’s not heat-stroke(strike?) that’s making him silly.

If he is a crazy rabbit I don’t have to feel so bad for not being succesful in bonding him and Bam.

Do any of you experienced bunny-owners recognize this behaviour? What could be wrong? Bam is behind a closed door so Yohi can’t see or hear him.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I don’t think he’s crazy. Something must have upset him.

My Bridge bunny Stormy, once bit me really hard on my hand. I suspected it was because, earlier in the day, I had done Olivia’s anal glands. Even though I washed my hands several times, he must have still smelled her on me. Maybe Yohio smelled something strange on you?

Or he could have just been over-excited. Make sure to make a loud yelp noise when he bites, so he knows he is hurting you.

[Bam]

Thanks, I’ll try the yelping! A while after he bit me, my mother came to visit. He allowed her to pet him on the head and seemed to enjoy it – he almost always seems to enjoy being petted – then all of a sudden he bit her hand, and not in a nice way. She pulled her hand back so there was just a mark, no blood.

I took him up to check if he was sore somewhere or had any wounds I’d not seen, but I couldn’t find anything. His belly wasn’t tender. He has a ravenous appetite and pees and poops excellently. He’s inquisitive and active and moves about a lot, like he always does.

I don’t know what could’ve upset him today.

I don’t beleive he’s crazy, but I think he’s either stressed out or in some kind of physical pain. I’ll keep checking on him. I feel so sorry for him because he shouldn’t have to feel a need to defend himself against his humans.

[Isabel]

Hmm, that’s strange. Maybe he’s gaseous? It sounds pretty on and off. He might also be a bit confused. I find that my rabbit likes to bite my finger nails because he thinks they’re pumpkin seeds. As annoying as that is (it’s very hard to pet him when he’s constantly trying to eat me!), I know he doesn’t mean anything by it. Maybe your bun was confused? Although that doesn’t explain the grunting… argh X__X If it keeps happening, maybe a vet trip might help clear things up a bit. Just to make sure he’s not in pain.

[Bam]

Yes, if this goes on I’ll take him to the vet. He’s growled before and boxed at me with his fore-paws when I’ve emptied his litter-box, but that seemed like rather normal rabbit behaviour, I’ve read that some rabbits defend their litter-boxes. But the situation(s) today were quite different. I think I’ll give him some simethicone just in case he has a little gas or sth.

He’s moulting quite heavily now, could that make him grumpy? He was never aggressive or grumpy before he was neutered. The growling and grunting and lunging came about a month after his neuter. Now it’s been more than 2 months since his neuter. I don’t know what to make of it.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Moulting can definitely cause grumpiness in some bunnies. Bindi is not too affected by it, but Olivia during a heavy molt is likened to a woman with pms! Very cranky pants and more moody than normal.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I know Sally is a big grouch when she is going through a heavy shed. But keep a close watch on him for health issues. Maybe the smell of Bam is getting to him and causing him stress.

[Bam]

I tried some T-touch on him last night, that seemed to relax him a little bit. He was his adorable self last night and this morning. I hope it’s moulting-pms =) but I’ll keep watching him of course. He eats, drinks, poops, pees, moves about and begs for treats and allows me to pet him on his little stubbly nose (all the old fur has come off on his nose and the new fur is still just a short stubble.)

I read that aggression in male bunnies isn’t hormonal but a hereditary trait. It’s hormonal in females and generally cured by spaying, but male aggression is different. I don’t know if it’s true or not. But I also read it can be worked with f ex with T-touch and by avoiding triggers – judging by his attack on me yesterday, avoiding triggers will mean I’ll have to stop using mascara, of course =)

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