Well, since we've let Buster out of her cage since her recovery from her spay (a week ago), she's been grunting, and lunging at me (not my husband) when out of the cage and in the kitchen.  She'll even bite and hit me w/her paw! This happens also, when I put my hand in her cage to clean up poo or whatever while she's in there, and I know she doesnt like that, but now its different.  Its happening outside of the cage if i touch a towel that's on the floor or whatever!  I know the hormones take a while to subside after the spay, but really, will this stop? My little baby is a disgruntled teenager....

The irony of this is- that if you told anyone else this story- they would laugh and think you are joking that a rabbit can be aggressive and growl and invoke a scared/startled reaction out of you.  People think rabbits are cute, cuddly fluff balls- but the first time I heard Cotton growl I was shocked and it startled me.  Most people cannot imagine a rabbit being aggressive- and everyone usually laughs when I tell them that Cotton will grunt, growl and lunge (at other bunnies or if you drop more of her greens in the cage while she is eating already).

But she has mellowed out since pre-spay and then post-spay teenager stage- now I can easily tell her triggers- if she is looking at one of the other buns and I touch her from behind- or greens fall on her as she is already mowing on the ones already in the cage.

She's got the world's worst case of PMS going on - her hormone levels are dropping unevenly - so it's no wonder she's a beotch-bunny.

Maybe she associates you with annoying things like medicine or vet trips?  or maybe she just doesn't like your soap - who knows.  Bunnies are weird.

The first time I heard Pepper growl, I was shocked. Then I busted out laughing!  "Who's the fierce little bunbun!!!"  She's blowing her coat and hates to be groomed, so she whipped around and tried to bite me last night.  But she still sleeps under my bed and is now lying on the floor nibbling on a cardboard box while I'm watching TV.  She's a character, and I wouldn't have her any other way.

I just got my 1st rabbit (Hatter) and he grunts and lunges at me whenever I enter his play area. I know it is due a lot to the fact that he was in the animal shelter for almost 2 years and that he is in new surroundings, but it is very tough to think the animal you love a lot is angry with you for reasons you don't know. I am hopeing that Hatter will soon warm up to me and my husband and become the more loveable bunny I know he can be. 

That's great! Really good call by your vet about what might have been the issue. It makes total sense too, her being a wary post-spay bunny and your hand blocking the only exit of the cage. Most prey animals will take flight option, but when they can't - it's fight I guess.

I'm currently reading a book about behaviours and it's really interesting. It help me remember their perspective and being more aware of behaviours/ interaction with them.   Also, once you understand the behaviour toward you, you're less likely to take it personally.

Posted By Balefulregards on 03/14/2010 10:55 AM

As to why you? I have found that Coco feels all right with fully being her baddest self with me, but is always a good girl for my husband. I do 98% of care and feeding and cleaning. He walks in twice a day and they dance around him like he is the Rabbit Savior risen from the grave. I figured it was like children, they only show you their true selves, all of it, when they know you love them unconditionally.

When Jolene wasn't feeling well last week, she lunged at my bf' s hand a few times. This was unusual not only because she's very mellow, but also because typically the household dynamic is exactly what you describe. I do all the cleaning, brushing and feeding of my rabbit, yet she follows the bf around constantly! Sometimes she'll follow him around obsessively for the whole day. It won't matter what she's in the middle of--relaxing, eating, being pet by ME--she'll abruptly stop whatever she was doing and go hopping after him. Talk about ingratitude. 

I console myself with the knowledge that she's nipped him twice and me only once.

Posted By Denise12 on 03/22/2010 08:38 AM
the cage I had was the standard "Rabbit Kit" cage that you get at pet stores and comes w/a water bottle, food, treats, etc.
Its a front/side door and not a top opening that they say is better. The blind spot is directly in front of their eyes I think. They can things better when coming from the top of their head not the back or front.
We took her away this weekend and she did great.

I personally don't see the top opening cages as better, as the buns can't just hop out like they can in the front opening ones. Scares them more in my opinion, as people have to pick them up to take them out. Monkey is fine with her front door.

I agree with MB - I much prefer the side opening cages. Mine has both side and top doors and I've never used the top door. They can easily see your hand coming from the side as long as they're not facing you straight on. If your hand approaches the side of the bunny they can see you just fine. Even directly in front of their face, they can see at a certain distance. If you approach from a foot or two away, they will see your hand - they'll just lose the visual as it gets closer which can startle them.

It's still awesome though that a cage change was enough to change her behavior. Maybe she was just getting too territorial with the old space and switching things up has helped her relax.