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Forum BEHAVIOR Rabbit is attacking my cat and dog

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    • Rosie316
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        Please help! My rabbit keeps attacking my cat until he meows. She even hurt my dog yesterday, he yelped. I don’t know what to do! It’s making me furious, because if anyone here has had a cat or dog, you know you don’t like to see them in pain. My rabbit is a mean little thing! It’s frustrating! I keep her in her cage when she does this, because I can’t trust her, but I need this to stop! Why is she such an evil brat? Please help!


      • joea64
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          My initial thought is, I wonder if your rabbit is trying to establish herself as dominant over the dog and cat?

          Female rabbits, especially unspayed ones – is your bun spayed yet? – tend to be very territorial and dominant when they attain sexual maturity. That’s why it’s dangerous to introduce a buck, whether neutered or not, into the habitat of a doe that hasn’t been spayed, because the doe WILL attack the buck. Spayed does aren’t usually as aggressive, so I understand, but they can still be quite territorial and dominant. I’m observing some interesting behavior myself from my own (spayed) doe Panda, who is exhibiting dominance behavior (mounting) with her bondmate and (neutered) son, Fernando, in what seems to be an effort to emphasize her status as the dominant half of the pair.


        • sarahthegemini
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            Perhaps your bun is terrified and thus ‘fighting’ for her safety. Putting her in a cage as punishment isn’t going to work and it is cruel. Instead, keep your cat and dog separate from your rabbit.


          • Deleted User
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              I’m not sure if rabbits recognize dominance outside of their species. They might, I just am not sure, and so that may not be the case here. If I am not mistaken, don’t you have another rabbit? Or maybe that was another member… but if you have a second rabbit in the house, it could just be that she is defending her territory aggressively. My female did that when I first brought my male home. She had never shown me any aggression but suddenly she would run across the room and attack my legs or hands if they moved. As sarah suggested, you should keep your other animals separate from your rabbit.


            • Deleted User
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                I just looked back to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Yes, it was you who had gotten another rabbit that she had attacked and drawn blood on. If you still have that rabbit in the same vicinity, that would explain her aggression. As I said, my female had also gotten very wild but since then I have gotten them each acclimated to each other by letting them spend the past month separated by a baby gate so they can see and smell, but not touch, each other.

                So, do you still have the other rabbit?


              • joea64
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                  Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/24/2017 1:35 PM

                  I just looked back to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Yes, it was you who had gotten another rabbit that she had attacked and drawn blood on. If you still have that rabbit in the same vicinity, that would explain her aggression. As I said, my female had also gotten very wild but since then I have gotten them each acclimated to each other by letting them spend the past month separated by a baby gate so they can see and smell, but not touch, each other.

                  So, do you still have the other rabbit?

                  I think you’re right – it’s territoriality. (Which does raise an interesting question; everything I’d researched had given me to understand that it could be hazardous to put your hand into a cage to remove and replace food dishes, litterboxes, etc. while a bunny, especially a female, is in the cage, because they see it as intrusion into their territory. So far, though, Panda hasn’t exhibited such territoriality, which perplexes me. Then again, maybe it just takes longer than I thought.)


                • sarahthegemini
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                    Posted By joea64 on 8/24/2017 1:40 PM

                    Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/24/2017 1:35 PM

                    I just looked back to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Yes, it was you who had gotten another rabbit that she had attacked and drawn blood on. If you still have that rabbit in the same vicinity, that would explain her aggression. As I said, my female had also gotten very wild but since then I have gotten them each acclimated to each other by letting them spend the past month separated by a baby gate so they can see and smell, but not touch, each other.

                    So, do you still have the other rabbit?

                    I think you’re right – it’s territoriality. (Which does raise an interesting question; everything I’d researched had given me to understand that it could be hazardous to put your hand into a cage to remove and replace food dishes, litterboxes, etc. while a bunny, especially a female, is in the cage, because they see it as intrusion into their territory. So far, though, Panda hasn’t exhibited such territoriality, which perplexes me. Then again, maybe it just takes longer than I thought.)

                    She might never be particularly territorial. I know that’s rare but my Buttercup has never *touch wood* been territorial towards anything or anyone. Neither has Peanut. Bonding was a breeze 


                  • Rosie316
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                      First, my rabbit is spayed. This anger has started very recently. Update on my baby bunny: I still have him and he’s better. I’ve been working on prebonding. I volunteer at a rabbit rescue and the lady there said she’d help with bonding. I brought them in one day and we had a bonding session which went fantastic! Except after 10-15 minutes my baby MALE rabbit started humping my female and she finally got annoyed and growled/lunged at him. So, I am keeping separated until he is neutered. My baby rabbit has a pen and the two of them share a room. My bunny is NOT terrified of my cat or dog. They’ve been friends for a long time, so attacking them is a new thing. I can NOT keep my dog or cat out of my room, because they love me and always want to be with me. Now, locking them out would be cruel and I’m not doing that so no it is not happening. My rabbit used to love my cat and dog so I just want to know what is happening and how I can fix this?


                    • Rosie316
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                        Oh and they’ve been in the same room for a month with no problem so it wouldn’t make sense for her to be angry all of a sudden? Plus they know, smell, and have even laid next to each other from inside pen and outside pen. I don’t think this would suddenly make her angry that he’s in the same room.


                      • Rosie316
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                          I have to keep her in a cage when I’m not around or she will probably kill my cat. It’s not cruel.


                        • jerseygirl
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                            Cages and other enclosures needn’t  be seen as a “prison”. Sometimes they’re a sanctuary, especially for a prey species.

                            Hopefully you can resolve this and allow them interaction again.

                            Bunlo, do you have a good rabbit vet? A sudden change in behaviour like this makes me wonder if she has something going on. How has she been towards you, when the other pets aren’t around?


                          • Rosie316
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                              Jerseygirl,
                              She’s fine around me, occasionally she has outbursts at the dog, but more the cat.


                            • sarahthegemini
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                                Posted By Bunlo12 on 8/24/2017 7:01 PM

                                First, my rabbit is spayed. This anger has started very recently. Update on my baby bunny: I still have him and he’s better. I’ve been working on prebonding. I volunteer at a rabbit rescue and the lady there said she’d help with bonding. I brought them in one day and we had a bonding session which went fantastic! Except after 10-15 minutes my baby MALE rabbit started humping my female and she finally got annoyed and growled/lunged at him. So, I am keeping separated until he is neutered. My baby rabbit has a pen and the two of them share a room. My bunny is NOT terrified of my cat or dog. They’ve been friends for a long time, so attacking them is a new thing. I can NOT keep my dog or cat out of my room, because they love me and always want to be with me. Now, locking them out would be cruel and I’m not doing that so no it is not happening. My rabbit used to love my cat and dog so I just want to know what is happening and how I can fix this?

                                Then what do you expect? 


                              • sarahthegemini
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                                  Posted By Bunlo12 on 8/24/2017 7:05 PM

                                  I have to keep her in a cage when I’m not around or she will probably kill my cat. It’s not cruel.

                                  You said “I put her in her cage when she does this” which to me reads as “I put her in to punish her” Apologies if that’s not what you meant. 

                                  But still, now you’re saying your rabbit wants to kill your cat. Do the responsible thing and keep them separate. 


                                • joea64
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                                    Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/24/2017 1:43 PM

                                    Posted By joea64 on 8/24/2017 1:40 PM

                                    Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/24/2017 1:35 PM

                                    I just looked back to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Yes, it was you who had gotten another rabbit that she had attacked and drawn blood on. If you still have that rabbit in the same vicinity, that would explain her aggression. As I said, my female had also gotten very wild but since then I have gotten them each acclimated to each other by letting them spend the past month separated by a baby gate so they can see and smell, but not touch, each other.

                                    So, do you still have the other rabbit?

                                    I think you’re right – it’s territoriality. (Which does raise an interesting question; everything I’d researched had given me to understand that it could be hazardous to put your hand into a cage to remove and replace food dishes, litterboxes, etc. while a bunny, especially a female, is in the cage, because they see it as intrusion into their territory. So far, though, Panda hasn’t exhibited such territoriality, which perplexes me. Then again, maybe it just takes longer than I thought.)

                                    She might never be particularly territorial. I know that’s rare but my Buttercup has never *touch wood* been territorial towards anything or anyone. Neither has Peanut. Bonding was a breeze 

                                    No sooner did you say that than Panda up and threw a hay-stuffed cardboard roll at me while I was taking out the litterbox for cleaning last evening.


                                  • Mikey
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                                      If your animals cannot comfortably cohabit, they should not be cohabiting. Your dog and cat should not be allowed around your rabbit any more. This means keep them in separate areas/rooms. It doesnt matter how much you love each animal and how much each animal loves you. If they cannot live together, they should not be together. Your rabbit has shows aggression towards all of your animals at this point, so you know your rabbit should not be around other animals. If you refuse to keep them separated, you should only expect fighting and (in your own words) possible death of one of your animals.


                                    • Deleted User
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                                        Your rabbit probably won’t kill your cat… if your rabbit attacks your cat viciously, it’s likely that your cat will attack back and end up killing your rabbit… rabbits are prey, so I don’t see a scenario where the rabbit takes down the cat and not vice versa. It’s dangerous. Please separate them. You don’t have to lock either away and not interact with them yourself, just don’t let them interact togeher


                                      • Rosie316
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                                          I can’t keep them separate. My rabbit lives in my bedroom, and my cat likes to lay on my bed in the day and sleep with me at night. My cat won’t kill my rabbit. He’s not like that. He’s a sweet cat, I know my cat so don’t tell me I’m wrong. My rabbit is much more vicious.


                                        • Rosie316
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                                            What do you mean, “what can I expect”? This just started up, I just want to know why on earth this is happening.


                                          • Deleted User
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                                              Umm. So how about you don’t come to a forum seeking advice and reply with “so don’t tell me I’m wrong” ….. just a suggestion, it doesn’t make people want to help you when you justify/ignore everything they suggest…do whatever you want, I just hope for your rabbits sake that your ignorance doesn’t result in harm.

                                              Yes you know your cat, but it’s just like humans-you never know what someone/something is capable of….. I still think it’s best not to let them interact.


                                            • Deleted User
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                                                We’ve tried to tell you why we think this is happening. You are just denying everything. Figure it out on your own if you’re not open to advice/suggestions.

                                                It’s not rude of me to say this. It’s rude to ask for advice and criticize everything suggested, wasting our time.


                                              • jerseygirl
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                                                  I think there could be some misunderstandings happening in this thread. 

                                                  If anyone contributing is becoming frustrated, it’s time to step away. 

                                                  If a member is not open to suggestions made to them about their rabbit, it is best to move on to other threads. 

                                                  Bunlo, I have a bunch of questions and will attempt to summarise the situation as I’m interpreting it. Correct me if Ive misunderstood anything.

                                                  So you’ve mentioned your rabbit (Daisy?) used to love your cat and dog. So they could all be free roam in the same room without an issue, is that right?  How long did they co-habit well?

                                                  Now she is lashing out them, mostly your cat.  And you’re interested in getting them back to being a happy family, understandably!

                                                  So is she doing this when they venture into the room?  Or have they been there a while, then she seems to randomly attack? 

                                                  Have you come into the room to find them in a tiff or is it always when you’ve been in there a while, all hanging out? 

                                                  Has it only been happening since you’ve put your other rabbit into the room?

                                                  What is his relationship with the cat and dog like? 

                                                  Has there been aggression between Daisy and the other bun, through the bars? Some unbonded rabbits will act all chilled when separated by bars but it’s a different story when the barrier is gone. And some spend a good deal of time hopping along the perimeter letting the other rabbit know they’re not too happy about them being there.  

                                                  Final qu, she is acting normally otherwise? No odd eating habits, postures, other frustrating behaviours? 


                                                • LBJ10
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                                                    I agree with Jersey. I think we need more information to try and help you. I can understand it’s frustrating to have a happy bunch start having problems seemingly out of the blue.

                                                    To answer your question about reaction time. You would be surprised by some of the delayed reactions I have witnessed with my rabbits. As Jersey pointed out, rabbits can seem perfectly fine when a barrier separates them and then fight viciously when the barrier is removed. Just by reading through everything, I do wonder if perhaps it is related to the second rabbit. Perhaps her anxiety has been building for a month and that “intruder” is still there. Perhaps she can’t take her frustrations out on him, so she attacks the cat and dog instead. I’m not saying this is absolutely what is going on, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised. Maybe you could do an experiment by moving the second rabbit to a different room for awhile. If she calms down after a few days, it might mean he is what she is reacting to after all.


                                                  • jerseygirl
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                                                      Posted By Bunlo12 on 8/24/2017 7:04 PM

                                                      Oh and they’ve been in the same room for a month with no problem so it wouldn’t make sense for her to be angry all of a sudden? Plus they know, smell, and have even laid next to each other from inside pen and outside pen. I don’t think this would suddenly make her angry that he’s in the same room.

                                                      Oh, I missed this. So during this month, while the 2nd rabbit has been in the same room, Daisy and the cat had still been getting along fine? It’s just the past few days that things changed? 

                                                      ETA: If that is the case, I wonder if it is changes in him (hormonal) that is triggering the changes in her??


                                                    • jerseygirl
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                                                        Posted By LBJ10 on 8/25/2017 10:44 PM

                                                        I agree with Jersey. I think we need more information to try and help you. I can understand it’s frustrating to have a happy bunch start having problems seemingly out of the blue.

                                                        To answer your question about reaction time. You would be surprised by some of the delayed reactions I have witnessed with my rabbits. As Jersey pointed out, rabbits can seem perfectly fine when a barrier separates them and then fight viciously when the barrier is removed. Just by reading through everything, I do wonder if perhaps it is related to the second rabbit. Perhaps her anxiety has been building for a month and that “intruder” is still there. Perhaps she can’t take her frustrations out on him, so she attacks the cat and dog instead. I’m not saying this is absolutely what is going on, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised. Maybe you could do an experiment by moving the second rabbit to a different room for awhile. If she calms down after a few days, it might mean he is what she is reacting to after all.

                                                        Really like this idea!   Do you have another area in the house you could set him up temporarily? Well away from the current room. Rabbits have a keen sense of smell, so if he has had some hormonal changes and she can detect those, it could still have an impact if he’s in a room next door. The further away, the better. Just to see if it is the trigger for her current behaviour change. 


                                                      • BB Administrator
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                                                          Stepping in here as well  to help calm things down.  Thank you Jersey and LBJ10.  

                                                          I am dittoing Jersey, that if you are frustrated by any members responses, either through misunderstanding or direct conflict, move on to another post.   If you gave advice that you felt was helpful, and it was ignored and you’re upset about that, again move on, otherwise it will just be a back and forth snarkfest which isn’t helpful, except for venting purposes.  

                                                          Also, remember that just because you gave advice, doesn’t mean that advice is the only one that should be followed. There may be other options to consider. Once you have offered your suggestions, let others chime in to help and possibly offer other options if your suggestion isn’t working for the OP.   Other advice may end up working better for different situations…or not.   An OP is not automatically wrong for not following your suggestion. Set yourself free from feeling like you have to solve the problem.  Just offer what you know, then let it be. That’s good enough. 

                                                          This back and forth of right and wrong tone causes tension for everyone, which just makes a thread spiral downhill. 

                                                          And for any OP that doesn’t think that suggestions may work, it is better to appreciate the advice at least offered, even if you don’t think it’s right for your situation.  People have offered their suggestions to help, and so a good way is to just say, “Thank you and I appreciate your concern, here are some things I am still struggling with…etc etc.”   This way you have at least shown respect to the time and care that someone has given to your post.  

                                                          Helloworld!!


                                                        • BinkyBunny
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                                                            I think that Jersey and LBJ10 make very good points. This is definitely the time that your male bunny is reaching his hormonal stage and his scent is more potent.   He could be even spraying and you don’t know it. Even if he is not spraying, his scent can be on you, and other animals just because they are near him. 

                                                             Jersey is right that rabbits have a very keen sense of smell. I was rabbit sitting for a friend. Her rabbit was all the way to the front of the house, and my bunnies knew within 24 hours something was up. They were marking more and “searching” for whomever was responsible.

                                                            And even though your female bunny is spayed, his scent can set things in motion. Especially if she showed him aggression before, this would make sense that his scent is then causing that same aggression for anything else that gets into her space. I’m surprised she hasn’t tried to bite you.

                                                            I also agree trying to set him up further away if possible is a best solution for now.   Be sure to wash your hands, and make sure his scent has less chance of transferring to her area. IF that is not possible or doesn’t work, then you may have to have her get used to his scent as a “non-threat”. So how to do this may cause more issues at first. So temporarily, you may have to separate your other animals while you go through this, if they are in harms way. 

                                                            You can get a toy bunny or any stuffed animal, and make sure it gets “his” scent all all over it, by rubbing it on him, take some of his fur from brushing and put it on the toy. You can even stick the toy bunny in his litter box for a second. And then just put it in her area. She may completely attack it…but it doesn’t move, and poses no threat, so she may get used to it and stop feeling threatened. You can also put some treats by it so she may associate something positive with it. This may take a couple of weeks.

                                                            Important Note: This could make it all worse! (It will for sure in the beginning). But it sounds like she is pretty feisty right now as is. So if trying to make sure his scent is undetected doesn’t work, and she doesn’t just get used to it and settle down on her own, then it may be worth giving it a try.

                                                            Also, note that if she tries to chew or digest any of the stuffed toy material, then you may just have to stick with something like a small throw blanket.. She may put little chew holes in the toy bunny, but that’s different than actually eating it.


                                                          • Deleted User
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                                                              I could explain myself but I don’t feel it’s necessary and it won’t accomplish anything so I’ll just leave it at that. I will say that I do totally understand and agree with what all the admins have said-truly! It’s definitely best to just move on when you’re frustrated, and being snappy isn’t going to do anything. My hot headed impulsiveness gets the better of me sometimes, but frankly I meant what I said and I’ll leave it at that. I’m just going to stay away from responding to this OPs future posts. Save myself and you guys the frustration.

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                                                          Forum BEHAVIOR Rabbit is attacking my cat and dog