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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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 bites and doesn’t like being held.

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    • Abby
      Participant
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        Hello there! I have a question regarding my rabbit. I will start off by saying that i got her around end of April ( she was 6 months at that time) she is a white lionhead with pink eyes. I noticed when I got her, she wouldn’t let me hold her.. I figured, maybe she’s just scared or nervous because she’s not use to me. It’s been a month by now of having her, she still hasn’t improved. She gets mean too.. Like for an example, when I try to take her food bowl so I can fill it up, she’ll end up biting me. She does well when I hand her a treat, though. I just don’t understand why she is grumpy most the time and doesn’t like being held? I never had this issue with other rabbits before. I hope someone here can help me out.


      • Bam
        Moderator
        16836 posts Send Private Message

          Hormones perhaps? Getting into sexual maturity makes the bunny a moody teenager. Not all teenagers are moody and difficult, but many certainly are. Are you planning on having her spayed? It is wise to have female bunnies spayed due to the very high risk (like 80%) of uterine cancer in unspayed females. De-sexing more often than not improves the bunny’s behavior.

          One month is a short time for a bunny to get to know you properly. They are by nature suspicious and prone to fleeing or defending themselves. It’s because they are at the bottom of the food-chain in the wild and so many other animals wants to eat them.

          Most bunnies hate being lifted and held. They sometimes like to hop into your lap though and sit there for pets, but it’s their choice, so to speak.

          What were your other bunnies like?


        • Little Lion Head
          Participant
          1706 posts Send Private Message

            Abby I concur with what bam said about hormones. And some bunnies just don’t like being held and may never like it! There are some members here who’s bunnies don’t really like to interact with their humans at all. I say just sit on the floor near your bun and let her come to you for pets without holding her.


          • Kyrkogrimr
            Participant
            120 posts Send Private Message

              It’s probably also worth mentioning that some bunnies really don’t like having their stuff messed with, especially when they’re still settling in. Both of my boys improved as they got used to us, but Harry still doesn’t like us going in his crate and moving things about. Is it possible for you to deal with food/water bowls and litter trays when she’s not around to see it?
              Also, if she doesn’t like being picked up, I would say stop doing it (emergencies aside obviously) at all for a while until she seems more relaxed around you – the two issues could be linked – then work slowly on getting her comfortable with being picked up. I would also check that you’re lifting her correctly as if she doesn’t feel supported she’s more likely to resist now and any future attempts.
              I’m pretty sure there’s an article somewhere online about how to desensitise your bunny to being picked up, I’ll try to remember to have a look for it when I’m on my laptop if you like?


            • ALMNS
              Participant
              11 posts Send Private Message

                I agree with everything that has been mentioned, I would also add the environment she was in prior may play a part, Did her previous owner spend time with her so she was accustomed to human interaction? Was she caged with other rabbits or free roam? A month is a short amount of time in terms of bonding, it took my rabbit about 2 weeks just to feel comfortable hopping around my house without fear.

                Although my rabbit has never bitten, I have had him for 2.5 months and he only lets me pick him up from his cage or litter box. When I clean his litterbox or cage, he will investigate everything i do and occasionally thump at me . He used to thump his back foot and/or growl when I took his food bowl from the cage. He doesn’t do that any longer, now he comes to my hand for an ear stroke or a treat.

                Best of luck!

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            Forum BEHAVIOR Rabbit bites and doesn’t like being held.