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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 Rabbit Is Becoming Aggressive

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    • Chris72
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        Hi, my name is Chris. I’ve been the owner of a male dwarf rabbit for just over a year now and since I’ve moved to my new bedroom upstairs, he’s become very aggressive. I believe he is about 3 years old but I don’t know for sure as my ex-girlfriend got him off a friend and we ended up breaking up while I was looking after him and she left him with me. I’ve been trying very hard to make it work with him. He get’s 12 hours out of his cage and 12 hours in every day and as much time as I can give him. His cage is the biggest cage I could find (About 4’X2′). I currently work 2 jobs and am in a band so it’s rare that I am home other than to sleep. He has plenty of toys and things to do and is never without food, hay or water. The space he gets to run around in is about 300 square feet (my bedroom).
        He has now become very territorial and charges at my feet as soon as they come down off the bed. He’s been chewing on all the legs of my dresser and night table which makes it really hard to sleep. My room mate downstairs has also been complaining because he chews on his cage the entire 12 hours he is in it, and it literally rattles the floor. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I thought maybe if I got him neutered, it would settle him down a little bit, but after talking to the lady at the vet, she said that the procedure may not change anything due to his age. It’s also a pretty pricey situation considering working 2 jobs is barely cutting it.
        I really do like him and I’ve been doing everything I can to make him happy but I’m just currently at a loss. He deserves a good place that will let him run around all day and a family that will spend lots of time with him and I feel like I can’t give that to him. I don’t know if this behaviour is from the past owner(s) or just from being stressed about the move and new environment. I’m constantly on my computer looking up things to do to fix this and nothing seems to be working. When I do get the chance to spend time with him, you can tell he’s just lonely and wants someone to hang out with. I apologize for the lengthy message, I just figured the more detail I could give, the better.
        Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


      • Sarita
        Participant
        18851 posts Send Private Message

          I think it sounds like he has it pretty good at your place to tell you the truth. I know it doesn’t sound ideal to you, but he’s safe, he’s fed, and you take care of him – that is better than many many situations that he could be in.

          I think charging at your feet isn’t necessarily territorial related – many rabbits do this – it just may be a reaction once he see’s your feet. Maybe he see’s the feet come down, it’s time to get up so out he runs.

          Is it possible to make him free roam in your room when you are gone or perhaps get him a larger space like a puppy exercise pen to stay in (usually 4×4 feet) while you are gone to protect your furniture.


        • Chris72
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          3 posts Send Private Message

            I would love to be able to make him free roam, I just don’t trust him as he literally get’s in to everything and it’s a rental house. If he decides to start chewing the carpet for 12 hours while I’m gone, I’m going to get in a lot of trouble. And I barely have room for his cage on its own, a bigger one would be really tough to fit.

            I’ve just literally been having troubles staying awake during the day as he is always trying to get somewhere he shouldn’t be or chewing on something and I can’t sleep. I know if I lock him up at night he’s going to chew on his cage until the sun comes up, so that’s not really an option. I feed him spinach, lettuce and a small treat (usually apple) every morning before I go to work in hopes that will keep him happy while I’m gone but my room mate can hear him chewing all day.

            This is also all new to him as we did just move upstairs on April 28th. Do you think he will start getting used to the new 12 in, 12 out system? or is just always going to want to out? I’m trying really hard not to get angry with him but it’s really tough. Is there anything you could recommend me doing to help him get used to this?


          • Sarita
            Participant
            18851 posts Send Private Message

              I think he will start getting used to the new schedule.

              I wonder if you try covering his cage with a sheet if that might calm him down during the day. Generally rabbits are crepsecular and are most active at dusk and dawn and usually sleep all day and all night.

              I do totally feel your frustration too. I hear this alot from people who keep their rabbits in their room – it’s really not ideal because of the hay and the noise but I know sometimes it’s the only option – I know other members will have some ideas as well for those who must keep their rabbits in their rooms and they will respond soon.


            • Chris72
              Participant
              3 posts Send Private Message

                I already do keep a towel over his cage during the day while I’m at work.

                Thanks so much for all you help and suggestions so far. I’m starting to feel like there may be some hope.


              • Gracie
                Participant
                32 posts Send Private Message

                  Hi Chris! I know exactly how you feel. I lived in NYC with my very aggressive, bite-y bunny. It was even worse then what you’re talking about. My room was more like 80 square feet. George’s cage was 2′ 4′. He was only allowed out from 10 when I got home until midnight/1am when I went to sleep. He chewed everything. It’s a miracle he didn’t get electrocuted. He chewed so many wires.

                  These are the ideas I’ve got, hopefully there were more people who have had to deal with this as well,

                  -I don’t know what you have in his cage, but toys that will help with his frustration like paper to shred, cardboard to chew and anything he can throw are cheap and will make him feel like he has control over the situation.

                  -Try not to clean his cage unless you have to. The litterbox has to be cleaned, but try to leave all his stuff alone as much as possible.

                  -You can look into vertical expansion if you don’t have the option of horizontal space. Bunny condos are relatively easy to build and cheap. This will also give your little guy an outlet for excess energy.

                  -Leave the radio on for him at a low volume. I always did NPR because there are always people having conversations and it’s super mellow.

                  -Try not to feel guilty. It’s easy to feel like you’re not giving your rabbit the best life they could possibly have (I think we all feel that way sometimes). If you like having him around and you feed him/trim his nails/take him to the vet then you two are a good match. Find an in cage/out of cage schedule you can stick to and maintain your sanity. The HRN recommended minimum is 3hrs. Whatever works for you do it and give him time to adjust. I guarantee you’re providing a happy life for him. It’s really impressive that you kept him after breaking up with your girlfriend. Rabbits think of their people as part of their burrow. Even if he’s grumpy about the move the stability of being with you is reassuring.

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              Forum BEHAVIOR Rabbit Is Becoming Aggressive