I accidentally hit my bunny… will she hate me?

[RS18]

I love my 2 bunnies to bits, but I know that one doesn’t like me, no matter what I do to try to bond with her. She has different moods where she likes me and then she doesn’t , and I would never hurt her intentionally. But today she was lounging on my lap (like she normally does) and out of nowhere bites me really hard on my leg, leaving a mark. I went to give her a mini whap on her nose (someone told me you do that, but it never works) but I hit her kind of hard on her head and then burst out crying because I never wanted to hurt her. Will she hate me even more that I hit her? I feel terrible about it and I never want to her her but it just happened.
Also for future reference, what should I do (Obviously not hit her) when she bites me to let her know that it’s not ok?

[Wick & Fable]

Squealing and retreating away from her (as if you were a fellow rabbit she just attacked) is the general method for that.

And unless you caused her traumatic pain, I do not think so. I’ve kicked Wick into walls before (notice that it’s plural – has happened more than once). And sometimes I accidentally swing my foot into him as I’m walking. Now I’m just generally more conscious and I stop immediately when I feel anything fuzzy, but things happen with these animals. It’s good to see if there is anything serious, but it sounds like you don’t think so.

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.

[Taloan7]

I sympathize. I once had a small child bite my inner thigh and I knocked them to the ground just out of reflex because I was so startled by the pain. Sometimes our bodies react to pain before our brain has a chance to process what is happening.
Like Wick’s owner I have accidentally kicked my bun several times because he likes to run into my feet as I’m walking. Luckily he was never particularly hurt by it or seemed to be holding a grudge. And you are more likely to react better if you plan out how you are going to react in advance, so you have a plan of action instead of just letting reflex take over.

[SeeShmemilyPlay]

No, she won’t hate you forever. She might be scared for a little bit, but she’ll be fine. My guy Ollie is a HARD biter. The first week or so I had him I thought we could “love” him out of biting us (nope), and thought I was successful for a second. I got too comfy. He bit me really hard unexpectedly. I instinctually slapped him on the head. He got over it and started trusting me again two days later with lots of treats.

Small little whaps on the nose also doesn’t stop biting, which you’ve already noticed:/ there really are no ways to correct them and prevent them from biting other than preparing yourself and preventing yourself from letting them bite you.

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