Nipping

[Emmie]

Just wanted to ask a quick question about nipping. I was stiing on my sofa on my laptop and Zelda was on her hind legs looking up at me. She’s too small to jump up so I picked her up and put her on my lap. She nipped at my arm but I didn’t really take notice. Then she nipped at my elbow, so I put her back down on the ground. That’s normal behaviour, right?

I don’t think she likes being picked up!

[Sarita]

She may have just been wanting to get your attention.

Your right too about being picked up – it probably scares her. Hard not to with these teeny buns and I can’t help myself either with my Netherland but I know mine hates it. It’s scary being a tiny bunny picked up off the ground.

[Emmie]

I was thinking, becaused it tickled and wasn’t like a proper bite like I’ve read. I’m quite nervous around small animals so I was a little taken back. I’m going to try put some boxes together so she can get up on the sofa if she wants!

 

[RabbitPam]

They often use their teeth to communicate since they don’t speak. If she sets her teeth without leaving a mark or puncture, she’s learned to use them to do that. It’s pretty clever in a way. It says she want’s something, your attention, or disapproves, or is hungry or mad, but isn’t getting mean or violent about it. Like tapping you on the shoulder or slapping away your hand if she had an arm to do that with. Sammy speaks eloquently, and frequently, with her teeth. Males sometimes nip if they get too excited, too.

[Kate Monster]

Spencer usually nips me to say, hey, hurry up with that food! or Hey, move it you lumbering giant, you’re in my way! If it ever hurts, you can make a high pitch ‘eeek’ so Zelda knows she hurt you and adjust her nipping pressure.

[peppypoo]

I’m guessing this isn’t the case here, but I just wanted to say that sometimes rabbits might nip a little while they’re “grooming” you as well. I guess using a bit of teeth helps to clean and comb through fur, but it can kind of hurt if you don’t have any!

[Elrohwen]

Otto nipped quite a bit as a baby – babies like to taste things and they use their teeth to explore (kind of like puppies). A high pitched squeal form you can let her know it’s unacceptable, though be careful as this can scare sensitive bunnies (and others don’t seem to notice you’re squealing at all).

Also, no bunny is too small to jump on a sofa – they’re born to jump! She might be nervous about it though – Otto still rarely jumps on the couches and it took Hannah doing it to make him comfortable. Putting a box on the floor helped because he could stand on it and see onto the couch and know what he was jumping on. She might not want to jump without making sure the coast is clear.

[Emmie]

I figured she might have been nervous of jumping up or something alright. I’ll try put a high enough box so she can easily get up. She seems to adore human company. When I’m walking around, she’ll follow me and if I’m lying on the floor with my back, she’ll jump on my back and usually settle between my legs and sleep. Right now she’s passed out asleep under my table!

 

 

I seriously thought she was dead. Actually, as a side note.. I was in the pet store buying her a permenant litter tray and some things to nip on and the lovely lady who works there (she adores her rabbits) helped me pick out some natural treats. I know she likes wicker things as she tries to get at my wicker baskets. But I wasn’t aware she shouldn’t be eating veggies until she’s about 12 weeks. Because I don’t know how old she is (I didn’t ask at the store, I was so excited.

So I’ll leave her without veggies until the vet visit. I found out my local vets is actually very experienced with rabbits. They’re well known for being an excellent chain of vets and are very helpful and friendly. I’ll take her for her first check up next week, make sure she is female and ask when she should be spayed. If she’s not a she, I have no idea what I’ll change her name to!

 

AGH! Sorry, I get over excited talking about her!

[peppypoo]

Oh yes, bunnies flop out on their sides in a way that they look rather dead. Wait until you see the flopping in action! It’s hilarious .  It means that they feel very relaxed and safe – if you think about it from the perspective of a prey animal, lying on their side like that is a very compromising position that they cannot easily bolt out of if danger arises.  So it’s a great sign that Zelda is already flopping after a few days; she’s completely comfortable and not scared of you or her surroundings anymore. 

I’m glad you found a good vet for Zelda!  If she turns out to be a he, just stick with the theme and go with Link .  Oh and don’t apologize for talking about her too much…we’re all obsessed with our bunnies, that’s why we’re here!

[Emmie]

That is SO cute! I’ve been lying in the floor alot with my back and she loves jumping inbetween my legs and flopping down between them. She loves grooming herself too. They do groom themselves alot, right?! I believe we’re really bonding, which is fantastic!

 

[Monkeybun]

When Monkey was a baby, she would nip to tell me i was in her way, or nip to tell me dinner was late, etc. She also nipped at things to “taste test” them as hubby says. She liked to learn textures and such off of things. She doesn’t nip anymore unless we are taking her to the evil vet person and we pick her up and put her in the carrier.

[BinkyBunny]

Jack has no problem giving me a little nip to tell me to move, but it pinches hard enough for me to feel it! He warns me now though with a forceful nose nudge first. However, if I pick him up and if he’s in my arms for too long, he gives one nasty nip, and if that doesn’t work he will bite hard enough to break the skin. So I have learned to work fast when I do nail trims and monthly maintenance stuff.

Sounds your bunny is just communicating with you.

[Emmie]

Haha, I am not looking forward to our first nail clipping session alright! I might have the vet do it and show me the best proceadure when I take her in.

Yeah, I think she was just saying hi! I was playing my xbox and she jumped up and into my arms inbetween the controller and was nipping my arm for attention I think! It’s so cute!

[mplsbunlove]

Our little bun nips too. I’m glad it sounds like for some it is an outgrown behavior ( i am realistic that it may stick around). He usually nips when we are holding him and he wants to be exploring. We give him a little time out – so that he knows that is not the way to get what he wants.

[JoeyThumper]

so, my boy, thumper is 7 and he still nips if I stand in one place for too long as though to say go away or when I’m doing his food its not harsh but does anyone have any way to stop him? he’s only been doing it in the last couple of months and I’m getting fed up with it it’s only me that he does it to!

[sarahthegemini]

Bunnies nip to communicate. You can’t really stop it, it’s their way of speaking.

[joea64]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 12/08/2017 5:39 AM

Bunnies nip to communicate. You can’t really stop it, it’s their way of speaking.

Fernando gave me a good nip last evening to communicate his disapproval of my interrupting his escape-artist fun (again).

[Cloversmom]

Clover nipped me last night on the toes in disapproval of me herding her back to her pen for bed time. It wasn’t hard but she definitely made sure I got the point haha. I did give a little squeal and she stopped.

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