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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny snuggles then lunges – ?

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    • BettyTheBunny
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        My bunny Betty is super friendly and cuddly – she follows me around, sits in my lap, and really loves being pet.  But sometimes after I’ve been petting her a while, I stand up to walk away and she grunts and lunges at my legs.  Sometimes she’ll nip my pant leg, but it’s never a hard bite.  I’m not sure what she’s trying to say – does she want me to leave her alone, or is she mad I’m going away?  Either way, how can I get her to stop?  Has this ever happened to you?  

        Betty is spayed, about 2 years old, and I’ve had her for 4 months.  Other than these times she doesn’t lunge or bite, and is usually a pretty laid back bun.  


      • Bam
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          I’d say she doesn’t like it that you stop cuddling. My rabbits do that. Bam f ex will nip or even bite my mother’s leg when she stops petting him (my mother is his favourite person). Yohio may growl, box me and nip if cuddling stops before he likes it to.

          It’s rather cute. It says a lot about bunny-personality. They are the bosses of humans. Pet me when I want you to, or be sorry.

          Squeal when she nips, that may help.

          In my limited experience, this gets better with time. There seems to be like an amount of attention that rabbits require, a different amount, of course, in every individual rabbit. If you provide that, they become more content. Kind of like they “know” you’ll be back and give more pets. This is of course just a theory of my own, founded on my observations of my own 2 bunnies. But the “problem” with a bunny become aggressive when you stop petting it is not uncommon.


        • Beka27
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            How is her vision? Do you think you’re moving into a blind spot in front or behind her and startling her? Or are you getting up quickly? Another random question, are you wearing very “flowy” pants (like pj or yoga pants)? It could even be something simple like her catching the movement out of the corner of her eye and feeling threatened.


          • Elrohwen
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              I think Beka has some good ideas.

              One of mine will grunt if you wave something right in her face (like a bit of parsley). She’s not startled, and she doesn’t lunge or bite or anything, but for whatever reason that triggers her to grunt.


            • BettyTheBunny
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                Thanks for the advice and replies! I’m pretty sure she’s not startled by the movement. I’m always pretty careful not to get up fast, and I’m not wearing any kind of “flowy” clothes. Also she doesn’t react that way we get up and haven’t been petting her (or when we move around her in other ways, like walking by her or playing with her toys).


              • Bam
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                  I think they can growl and lunge and nip for several reasons. Yohio uses it for communication – when he want’s a treat, when he want’s to cuddle, when he’s angry or scared or when I’m in his way etc.

                  What you don’t want to do is reinforce it. So if you understand why she’s lunging, don’t obey. If she want’s you to go away, don’t. If she wants pets – don’t pet. But also offer her an opportunity to do sth else that you can reward: the moment she stops acting out, reward her and do it immediately so the coin drops. This is positive reinforcement which is the most effective way to train animals.

                  Yohio biting, clawing and boxing me for pets won’t get him the desired result. But licking my hand or my forehead for pets does. So now he’s less apt to lunge and box and more apt to start licking my arm or hand when he wants pets.

                  I hope I’m making myself somewhat clear. Rule out all pain/fear etc (seems you already have), then try to modify her behaviour to sth that’s acceptable.

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              Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny snuggles then lunges – ?