my lopp-eared rabbit always scratches when i put him back into the cage and sometimes even bites. But, when outside of the cage, he is really nice. How do i stop his from biting and scratching when i put him back?
2006-07-10 04:26:14 · 10 answers · asked by corbin909 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It's sometimes funny reading the answers. I've gotten a good laugh out of a few of them people have written. I've been raising and showing rabbits for over 20 years and can give you a little bit of advice on handling them. I've also won a number of rabbit showmanship/royalty competitions and have trained people in rabbit showmanship/royalty.
The reason your rabbit scratches you when you put it back is because it feels that it is not being supported properly. Think of it this way. What do we do as humans when we start to fall or lose our balance? We put our hands out to catch ourself. Your rabbit is doing the same thing, but when it does it, it scratches you. First, put on a long sleeve shirt or coat so you don't get scratched or pull some old cut out socks over your arms. Second, when you pick the rabbit up. Pick it up by putting one hand under its chest and the other on it's rump. You need to support it by both hands. Put the rabbit in rear-end first. It is usually easier this way due to the way you are holding it and secondly the rabbit doesn't see the pen and want to jump for it. When you hold the rabbit, put the rabbit's head up into the armpit of whichever hand is holding the rump. This gives the rabbit a place to hide so it doesn't feel insecure. If the rabbit tries biting your side, hold it's head firmly against your side with your arm so it can't turn it's head.
Rabbits are more territorial inside of their cage. When you take them out of their cage, they are out of their normal element and they lose their territorialness. This is why they tend to be nicer outside of their cage than inside it. That's why I recommend to people that have mean rabbits to remove the rabbit from the cage, then pet it.
2006-07-10 07:30:22 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Uhhmm....don't put him back? Just kidding. I had a Lo pear named "Belle". She was sooooo beautiful and had these big "thumper" feet, it was so cute. I taught her to use the litter box and she did pretty well for the most part. The problem is the chewing. They chew freaking EVERYTHING. You might want to get a very thick pair of carpenter gloves and just wear them while you're putting him back. I don't think there's a way to make a rabbit stop biting when he doesn't want to be put back in a cage.
2006-07-10 05:02:55 · answer #2 · answered by 4815162342 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a lop-eared rabbit that did the same thing. She was really sweet out of the cage, but I almost had to fight her to get her out. First trim the nails on your rabbit, the best way is to use toe nail clippers, you just want to clip the tip of the nail off so it's not sharp. Rabbits don't like to feel unbalanced and suspended in air, so sometimes the transaction of going back into the cage makes them very nervous and prone to kick and bite. You need to make sure you are supporting his back feet, try putting him in the cage rump first instead of head first, hold him steady and try covering his eyes, it seemed to help calm my doe. When he does bite you flick him on the tip of the nose, when rabbits fight they usually bit on the nose, so it is showing him that you are in charge. Also you may want to try petting him in the cage, and maybe he won't feel threatened with your hand in his cage.
Hope this helps.
2006-07-10 04:49:38 · answer #3 · answered by nikkisolo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rabbits do not liked to be picked up. Because they are prey animals when they are lifted they think thy are in danger. To get him to stop biting. Try making an high pitched EEEEE noise. Rabbits make that same noise when they are in pain and the rabbit should get the idea. Please check out these websites.
2006-07-10 04:42:58 · answer #4 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's that he doesn't want to go back in his cage, He's just being territorial and he sees you as an intruder when your hand's in there.when you want to take him out just open his cage and coax him out with his favorite treat..that way you won't have to put your hands in there to take him out and you'll avoid getting bit or scratched.
2006-07-10 04:33:53 · answer #5 · answered by Courtney L 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
put a treat inside his cage every time you go to put him back. he'll learn that going back to his cage is actually a good thing!
2006-07-10 04:30:06 · answer #6 · answered by rishathra7 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
take it out daily and spend alot of attention and then all will be good with u and ur furry friend lol 13/f paulinaanna@yahoo.com
2006-07-10 06:27:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
trim its nails and keep it inside more often and feed it by hand inside your house it works for me
2006-07-10 04:35:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hold him more often..itll make him more friendly
and trim his nails..itll stop the scratching..
we have lots of bunnies over here :)
2006-07-10 04:30:09 · answer #9 · answered by mommy2savannah51405 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
getting it declawed might help
2006-07-10 05:29:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋