Biting me when i try to pick him up, hormones?

[CoolBeans]

Zeus will be 5 months old in 3 weeks.
I have only picked him up a few times, (when he jumps into a tub where i keep his things, at the vet to put him onto a scale, once to put him on a washing machine to attempt clipping his nails-unsuccessful)

I tried to pick him up for 3 consecutive days, trying to clip his nails because he needs it badly (i forgot to ask my vet if they will do it, but they are an hour away). First day he bit me, i say “no” for unwanted behavior, left him alone, 2nd day he attempted to bite, 3rd day he bit me & genuinely scared me. Im scared of a 1.5lb bunny that i love dearly

He usually runs away if i try to pick him up, and this sudden aggression has me really worried.
Hes never let me pick him up, hes also in his teenage.
Idk what ill do if i can never pick him up to clip his nails at home.

His neuter is scheduled for 2 weeks from today, im beginning to worry that he will bite me while we are at the vets, it doesnt hurt very bad but i get startled easy and panic.

Is it possible his biting tendancies will go away after the neuter?

[sarahthegemini]

Bunnies don’t like being picked up. It’s scary for them. Being neutered won’t change that.

[Wick & Fable]

It’s a struggle a lot of rabbit owners go through because a large majority of rabbits fear being picked up. While trying to get your rabbit used to it is useful, some rabbits will just never tolerate it. Continue to build a close relationship to him through other means (some rabbits really like being pet, but not held), and the trust may make being picked up seem more tolerable. You can also do baby steps, but very very very small steps with time in between. So first get him used to you putting your hands under him. Pet him after every instance. Then lift him a centimeter above the ground and put him down…. Very slow progress, but associating it with positivity and security. Don’t overdo it with reps though (don’t go harass your rabbit constantly to pick him up 1cm and put him down).

But as STG says, it’s a pretty engrained behavior. For nail trimmings, try and find a method that may work for you. I don’t pick Wick up because I have small arms and can’t manage clipping and carrying, so I clip his nails while he’s lounged on the floor.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

A suggestion for nail trimming! Ophelia doesn’t like to be picked up at all, and honestly I haven’t ever tried to unless she had gotten herself into a sticky situation trying to “explore” every crevice lol.

I’ve been giving her snacks like lettuce or bell pepper up on the couch and while she is eating and distracted I pick up a paw and can cut like 2 or 3 nails before she munches up the snack and runs off. I just do it in several sessions a day (why I used veggies instead of pellets or treats) and I think this way works good for us both because she tolerates it very well and I am not stressed about making her stressed lol. The last thing you want to do is cause them stress, especially during something routine like nail clipping that has to be done often. But this way, she really doesn’t seem to notice. Just make sure that if your bun is putting up a fuss to just give up and let them be for the moment and try again later. Try not to lift the paw up too far off the surface you set them on as I have noticed that it makes her uncomfortable and squirmy if you pick the paw up too high.

For right now, ask the vet if they can do a nail trim while bun is under for the surgery. Mine did it free of charge.

[TheAngora]

My rabbit did that too, when I picked him up he would bite, scratch, and dig on my shirt so I started holding him on his back. Rabbits are naturally calmer when on their backs, but if your rabbit isn’t used to it, it might get scared because it’s stomach is unprotected, so make sure your rabbit knows he’s safe. It’s also easier I find, to clip nails when I’m holding the rabbit on its back so it can’t squirm or bite me. Or you could get help, one person holds the rabbit, the other one clips the nails. My rabbit stopped biting when I held him after a few years, but I would suggest just picking him up as little as you can, because rabbits are scared when people hold them generally.

[Wick & Fable]

When someone puts a rabbit on its back, the rabbit will actually go into a trance state at times, which is one of the highest defensive-mechanism states a rabbit has. In a survival situation, the rabbit becomes tonic and “plays dead” in hope the predator will assume it’s dead and not resume any further. While a rabbit will look calm and serene, it’s actually quite riled up with stress hormones. Generally, it’s advised not to trance your rabbit at all costs.

If a rabbit willingly rolls on its back from a flop or something, that’s a different story though.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

Just distract him while you’re clipping. If all else fails, the vet will do it for like $15. Never put him on his back though. That’s incredibly dangerous, and as Wick said, it’s called trancing. It’s a defensive mechanism and should never be used,

[Sr. Melangell]

Hormones have nothing to do with it, my Olly is a 3 year old neutered male, he does not like being picked up, he will press himself onto the floor, its like he’s glued to it, if bunny doesn’t want to be picked up its his decision and one of his rules,so you might find that in a few years he still won’t let you pick him up, but you will be able to stroke him and give him treats, I can (And I don’t advise you to do this if bunny bites you.) go up to Olly and stroke him under his chin like you do with a cat, I can give him commands, for example if I need to check his bottom is clean, I say. “Bottom” and he jumps onto a table to let me have a quick look, also I can say. “Teeth” and he will let me look at his teeth, not all bunnies like being picked up, don’t be scared of him, he can sense that, if he runs away let him run, don’t chase him because he will see you as a predator, if you sit near bunny and stroke him and don’t force him he’ll be fine, there are things that bunnies that don’t like being picked up enjoy, like having a short children’s story read to them, Olly likes Horrid Henry stories. (I get them because I can see the text because I’m visually impaired.) He likes a bunny massage while he’s laid on the floor, but no tummy and no picking up, I do wish these pet shops would stop putting pictures of people stranding holding a bunny and smiling, not all bunnies like to be hugged and held, like children, some don’t want to be picked up and that’s that, if he does grow up to be a no you don’t pick me up boy accept it, he will eventually show you love and thanks in his own little special way, Olly has and is now my assistant pet and he was a rescue, he even gives me kisses, we always play a game we call ‘Little Animals’ I get on my hands and knees and crawl about with him, you’ll find super fun games you and your bunny like playing together if he doesn’t like being picked up in the future, just like children, some bunnies grow up and no longer want hugs, we have to follow that rule and accept it, it very hard, but trust me if he’s a none handling bunny just don’t worry.
If you want to know about fun games to play for a bunny that doesn’t like being handled feel free to message me, but I’m only going by experience and I’m not a vet.
Good luck, .

[CoolBeans]

Hello everyone! Thought id check back in. I havent been able to trim his nails, he backs away and i let him be.

As for being held, i lay a blanket down that is an indication of positive reinforcements and treats. This is where we practice tricks, and also build his tolerance for being held a few seconds at a time. Its going well! If he doesnt want to be held he will just back away. I find that if i dont pull away as he backs up he wont attempt to bite.
Im going to try to clip his nails on the blanket tomorrow, or atleast see if he will let me lift one paw. Im going to use his pellets to make it a positive experience.
His neuter is next week if im unable to clip his nails. Fingers crossed that everything goes well with his neuter!! Im nervous because the vet mentioned that they have a harder time finding the veins on dwarf rabbits

[Wick & Fable]

I thought it was just Wick, but my experience has been the veins are difficult to find on the black claws of Wick, light included. Something about the density of the nail and it’s shading.

Have confidence that when you clip nails, you don’t need to wait until they’re obnoxiously long and clip off a lot– I clip Wick’s nails frequently, in small bursts, but only a tiny bit off. I use his one paw with white nails as a gauge for how long the rest of his nails are.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[joea64]

I’m going to have to think about this particular issue myself. One of the bunnies I’m considering adopting, the rabbit rescue’s description warns in exactly so many words that she isn’t fond of being picked up. I will have to ask them how they manage to get her nails trimmed. I will also need to find out what color her nails are. It’s possible I might end up just accepting the extra expense and taking them both for nail-trimming every so often – I think this is the one thing about rabbit care that I’m the most nervous about, mainly because I don’t want to risk hurting them while trying to help them.

[CoolBeans]

How exciting Joea! I would love to get Zeus a companion, but shelters within an hour from me rarely have rabbits up for adoption. Would love to see pictures when you get your bun!

[joea64]

Posted By CoolBeans on 8/03/2017 11:48 AM

How exciting Joea! I would love to get Zeus a companion, but shelters within an hour from me rarely have rabbits up for adoption. Would love to see pictures when you get your bun!

Check my thread in the Lounge (introduce yourself section). I posted Petfinder links to them in my latest post there, I’m planning to meet their foster on Sunday at a local Petco so I can have a get-acquainted session. They’re identified as being dwarf mixes, I think they’re a mix of Polish and maybe another breed – the mommy bun looks like she might have some Netherland Dwarf in her, the son looks more classically Polish with a longer face.  Is there a rabbit rescue in your area? If so you might have better luck finding a friend for Zeus there.

Anyway, I’m going to forego trying to pick them up when I meet them, I think that was a mistake I made with other bunnies at previous encounters. I remember that when I met another pair suggested to me last month, one of them was perfectly placid about it, but his/her sibling was so vigorous about resisting that I gave up on the idea; I hope that didn’t sour them on me because I still plan to see about scheduling a longer get-acquainted session with them too.

I did have a thought just now, though; did you ever try gently wrapping Zeus in a towel (what some people call a “bunny burrito”)? Some folks report that this helps settle skittish buns long enough for their nails to be properly clipped. This forum thread is real old, but it discusses the technique:

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

[CoolBeans]

I looked at the links to the buns. Love the name panda haha. Ive tried the bunny burrito, but as soon as the towel gets on his back he hops away lol.

I actually found an adoptable rabbit at my local spca via pet finder.
I have yet to go see her, her name is Sophie. I plan to take zeus to kindof figure out if hes into having a buddy.

https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/38945350
She is listed as an american rabbit, according to google they can get up to 10lbs! Id need to find a larger litterbox, i hope all goes well with both of our bunny adoption plans!

[CoolBeans]

I looked at the links to the buns. Love the name panda haha. Ive tried the bunny burrito, but as soon as the towel gets on his back he hops away lol.

I actually found an adoptable rabbit at my local spca via pet finder.
I have yet to go see her, her name is Sophie. I plan to take zeus to kindof figure out if hes into having a buddy.

https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/38945350
She is listed as an american rabbit, according to google they can get up to 10lbs! Id need to find a larger litterbox, i hope all goes well with both of our bunny adoption plans!

[joea64]

Posted By CoolBeans on 8/03/2017 11:52 PM

I looked at the links to the buns. Love the name panda haha. Ive tried the bunny burrito, but as soon as the towel gets on his back he hops away lol.

I actually found an adoptable rabbit at my local spca via pet finder.
I have yet to go see her, her name is Sophie. I plan to take zeus to kindof figure out if hes into having a buddy.

https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/38945350
She is listed as an american rabbit, according to google they can get up to 10lbs! Id need to find a larger litterbox, i hope all goes well with both of our bunny adoption plans!

I like the name Sophie, and she’s VERY pretty – from looking at her picture, I think she’s actually a Dutch rabbit (and if so, you won’t need to worry about her getting really big – Dutch buns top out at 5-6 lbs. IIRC), she’s got a perfect classic Dutch fur pattern with the white blaze and elegant white front/black rear. Has she been spayed yet?

EDIT: If the SPCA people will agree to wait, you probably will want to wait until Zeus has had his neuter and been given a month or so for his hormones to fade and to stop being fertile before you introduce him and Sophie. That, or if you adopt Sophie before then, make sure to keep them in separate quarters until he’s settled down and they’re ready to try being bonded.

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