Stroppy Rabbit

[GetLost]

We have a female rabbit which is (I guess) adolescent. She has a huge area to run around in, but nowhere to dig and lives alone.She has recently become quite aggressive but still very affectionate towards me (her main carer). The aggression is when i go to move something or stroke her when she's in her 'nest area'Could it it puberty (her first season)? She really is a lovely pet, but has her moments. Is it just because she's female? Ooops, did I just say that out loud?

[fredob43]

Pet Rabbit's can be a real pain, You dont say how old she is except youngish. Could be all sort's of thing's but the first thing to check out is her teeth. She might have a problem there. In the wild they get ground down as a pet they dont, and need to be cut/snipped/ground down local vet should be able to do this. Sometime's they need this doing three time's a year. If they are to big she will be in pain hence the aggression. Tip, Be careful when you check her out ware glove's. Female now there's a thought.

Edited July 25, 2011 by fredob43

[bina]

sure it sa female. hvae had too many experiences of people bringing me female rabbits with a pair down there since males only get their pair later on in to puberty when the aggression also starts and when they purchases them they were told its a lovely girl rabbit. ; before that, the testes are up. so do a double check.... also, many varieties of rabbits are more territorial then others... put some tubes to crawl in and boxes to climb around in so she has more 'action' in her yard. rabbits dont like open yards anyhow, but nooks and crannies and will feel more comfy and less stressed if she has more 'furniture' that u can move and change a bit also. just down change her main 'house'. put her pellets in one area and her veggies if u give them, or hay, in an other area so she has to work a bit to get to them. rabbits are like cats and dogs and donkeys in that they need soemthing to do rather then just being kenneled or boxes even in a large yard.

bina

israel

[GetLost]

She (He) has lots of nooks and crannies, and things to chew. Also gets a run in the front garden most days. She's ever-so friendly 95% of the time, but it was just a few times when she was on a shelf (like a little nest) and once on the floor. She made noises and tried to bite when I went to touch her head. It could be that the kids have hurt her. Once she's calm (and always if I approach her slowly) she's fine and loves being stroked. I can deal with approaching slowly (I married a Thai, so I'm used to it) but the kids are still young.

[bina]

like i said, check between her/his legs for a pair; either way, personalities can differ even among certain breeds of rabbits, some more placid, some more aggressive, and also individual personalities. however, rabbits have teeth as u noticed and they can take off a piece of a child's finger (have had personal experieces with this subject havign managed a petting zoo for 10 years and rabbits being the main petting attraction. we stopped allowing children to pick them up , only petting on their backs, not their heads as then they are more prone to biting. )...

also, dont allow hand feeding with small pieces, long stips of carrot are good for hand feeding. rabbits are like any other animal, just like dogs. 99% of the time they are ok, but there is always the 1% room for the bite/scratch.

also, like any other pet, when a pet is in its/his/her bed/box/blanket/nest, NO PETTING. animals need their personal space and when in their box/nest, they need to be left alone. let a child entice her out of her box area with a strip of carrot or a nibble of green apple. also, no petting while animal is eating or near food areas. these are rules not just for rabbits but for almost any animal, no matter how socialized or domestic, the majority will aim a kick, bite or scratch when food or nest is involved.

bina

any pics? some breeds are known for their aggressivenes, especially the big white ones that were bred mostly for meat and not personality. flop eared minis are the sweetest.