RABBIT TROUBLE.Please help!?

Question

Heyaa,
Last year my step-dad bought us a rabbit,
hes beautiful and cuddly.
But hes always biting now and scratches me whenever, i want to hold him.
So no1 seems to hold him anymore as he nips or scratches you, and they really hurt.
I really want t start looking after him, like holding and cuddlign him but i dont know how to stop him biting and scratching?
Any ideas appreciated.
Thank you .

Answer 1

go to the nearest farm supply store,and by some gloves that are really good.For a while,you can try wrapping the rabbit's paws up in a blanket,leaving only his head exposed and just pet his head.Treats are a great way to gain the rabbit's trust.Also,check with your vet about trimming the nails.And if you have a Petco or Pet Smart in your town,they may be able to help. Good luck,rabbits do make great indoor pets,but like any other pet,they need training.

Answer 2

The first thing to understand here is that rabbits have a unique behavioral process. Rabbit society is all about politics. You have to prove that the rabbit can trust you before he'll relax around you. He has undoubtedly started the painful behavior because he knows that it will prevent him from being picked up or cuddled. You'll have to start slowly by simply petting him while he's in the cage. Make sure he can see your hand near him so it doesn't spook him. If he looks ready to be aggressive, then just stop moving your hand until he relaxes. Wear sturdy gloves if you have to. For a few days, simply rub his back and scratch behind his ears. Different rabbits like different kinds of petting.

When you do eventually try to pick him up, there's a certain method you should use to prevent him from harming you or himself. Taking your right hand, gently rub his back and massage the big fold of loose skin on the back of his neck (the "scruff"). Grasping the scruff firmly in your hand, slide your left hand between his front legs and along his stomach until you can craddle his rear legs in your hand. Then lift him. This way, his body is supported by your left arm while you still have a firm grasp with your right hand. If he get's a little spooked, try tucking his head into the crook of your left elbow. Eventually, you may be able to just pick him up by grasping his back end and front end and not using the scruff of his neck. When you go to put him back in the cage, be sure to put him in backwards so that he doesn't get too excited and push himself forward using your arm as a spring board. Be sure that his rear legs and bottom are supported at all times, as rabbits will become panicky if they don't feel some thing solid underneath them.

If he does bite, then never physically punish him. This is could be disastrous. Instead, gasp or shriek loud enough to startle him into stopping. Squealing is how rabbits communicate pain to one another.

Answer 3

Hi

Many rabbits do not like to be held, they are a prey animal and instinct says "holding equals being eaten". If you force it he will never learn to trust you. Although you may not get to hold him as you would like you can still have lots of fun with him. Rabbits are very social and love to play games.

Is he neutered? This will help because without it he is a ball of hormones and these have quite an impact on his behavior, he could be very frustrated. For neutering you MUST see a rabbit-savvy vet.

Do not put your hand in to his cage to pet him, many get cage aggressive and your more likely to get bit that way. Later on when you have built your relationship with him things might be different but till then it would not be a good idea for you to do this.

To have a happy bunny and a good relationship you need trust and proper care this includes a good amount of exercise.
The following links should help you.
Good luck

Answer 4

I LOL at George. a lot. I don't point though, cause it's rude. thumper is adorable..the rabbit from alice in wonderland is creepier than the rabbit from donnie darko Ill go with thumper :)

Answer 5

Just keep trying. The problem is that you haven't held or played with him enough in the past year. He isn't used to it, so he gets excited and anxious when you do. It may be irreversible but the best thing to do is to keep trying and hopefully he'll start getting used to it. Make sure you're consistent or any progress you make may be lost. Try to take him out every day. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Is he neutered? That would help. Baby rabbits are more handlable then older rabbits. In fact most rabbits don't like to be held. It's because they are prey animals and they feel like they are in danger when they are picked up.

Answer 7

Definately never never NEVER verbally or physically scold a rabbit for biting or scratching as someone suggested.

Its like when someone rubs a dog's nose in his urine if they pee on the carpet. that does nothing except scare the dog... once the deed is already done, they don't understand what you're trying to say by yelling at him and rubbing his nose in something he's already forgotten about. you have to catch them in the act, and PROPERLY handle the situation or you could impare their training process. So just like a dog, yelling at a rabbit is not going to do anything except make him more nervous around you.

And Rabbits are already very skiddish compared to other animals.

1. like someone else said- he's new... he doesn't know you from a preditor, so he's just reacting naturally. You need to move slowly with him. it first starts with putting your hand where he can just sniff around it and realize your not a threat. You continue to do this till you know he's comfortable with you. then you can upgrade to petting him without picking him up or taking him out of his territory. The next move would be to give him limited space (like a play pen) both you and he can sit in together and let him climb on you at HIS leisure. let him sniff you and explore you, slowly try to pet him now and again, but don't pick him up. let him make the first move... when you know he's comfortable with you you can move on to the next step. the next step is that you can slowly work into picking him up.

My rabbit liked to be scooped from the bottom with one hand and held securely on top with the other, then brought close to the chest when she was a baby. It made her feel more secure. Never leave their feet dangling. Make sure their feet and butt are firmly in your hand or against your body so they know you're not going to drop them.

Its also best to sit on the floor the first few times you hold him... not stand. one, it will make him more secure and two, if he gets squirmy and tries to jump out of your arms he won't have far to fall.

This process usually takes about a week. once you are able to hold him, and he's not afraid of you being in such close proximity to him, try giving him more space. within a few weeks my rabbit had the run of the living room. I put up a baby gate so she couldn't go into other rooms, and let her play. Eventually she came to prefer playing with the family than running around the room on her own.

2. like someone else said... if he's not going to be a breeding rabbit (which is usually recommended not to be unless you are a professional breeder), then neutering is a good idea. for various reasons. -behavior- -territorial marking- -aggression- -health- (non-neutered and spayed rabbits who are not breeders can develop certian cancers down the line and are more prone to various infections such as urinary tract infections. I say this from experience.)

It always helps to seek advice from both internet, books, and your veterinarian. (What people don't understand is that Rabbits do need to see a vet for yearly checkups AND when they are sick.) just to make sure they're healthy, their teeth are growing normally and are not overgrown, and so on.

hope this helps somewhat.

Answer 8

The pet store sells this biter spray stuff for ferrets not to bite. It will work with bunnies to.Also, Maybe something is wrong. if he use to be fine check to see if his teeth are to long or if anything maybe hurting him. Any other changes around the house maybe upseting him too. if he grins his teeth he is in pain. get him checked out!

Answer 9

i juz bought 2 rabbits too...
but they r rili good when v hold him...
they will even sleep in ur hands..

i think tat your rabbit needs a partner or a companion desperately...
rabbits hv feeling too...

Answer 10

smack his butt just like a dog . i had a rabbit but it was eatting it's cage and got lose and escaped.i think it is dead cause it has been about 5 years now ..im sad!thanks alot~
j/k
~! BUT 4REAL SPAnk that rabbit