Growling and lunging

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This topic has 4sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 10 months ago by Nara mk.

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- 06/22/2017 at 8:03 PM
  Hannasue
  Participant
  36 posts
  Hi i have a 15 week old female lionhead bunny. She is not fixed she has an appointment schedualed though for her to be. Right now she is being the sassiest animal i have ever witnessed. She is growling and lunging at me when i put my hand in her cage. If im correct she is defending her territoy. Unsuprisingly she magically becomes a sweet little girl when i rip out the treats. Any help? I just wanna make sure it is a territory thing and not an “im scared of you please die” thing.
  Thank you!
- 06/23/2017 at 11:40 AM
  Luna
  Participant
  2219 posts
  I agree that it sounds like it’s just a territorial response. It’s not uncommon for buns to disapprove when you put your hand in their cage (ie. when you are trying to clean it).
- 06/23/2017 at 11:44 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  I’m with you both on this, I think it’s territorial. Best thing to do (for your own safety!) is try not to do anything to her cage whilst she’s in it. Easier said than done tho!
- 06/23/2017 at 4:23 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16878 posts
  I agree this sounds like classic cage aggression, and it’s about territory. It is probably to an extent related to her starting to hit puberty. Spaying can help a against territorial aggression, but that needs to wait until she’s 6 months or thereabouts.
  
  Try to clean her cage when she’s having playtime, and don’t try to pet her when she’s in her cage. It’s not that she doesn’t like you, she’s just a girl bun with a strong indtinct to protect her warren. In nature, that’s the females’ job, so cage aggression is more common in girls than in boys.
- 06/23/2017 at 5:40 PM
  Nara mk
  Participant
  51 posts
  Yep I believe it’s territorial as well, my Hazel does this but she has a pen not a cage. (she is not spayed still u.u) but I find being patient and letting her control the situation is best, I don’t force her out or chase her in, I open the pen’s door and sit outside until she graces me with her presence and allows me to pet her. if I do something she doesn’t like? she’ll push my hand away and runs inside and I’d be left with my dignity on the floor lol Also I don’t trespass unless she needs medication. but even then if I sit still until she calms down she won’t lunge and growl.
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