I recently got 2 rabbits. I've noticed that when they're resting, they tend to shake or vibrate. Is that o.k.? And what dos it mean when a rabbit sniffs you then butts your hand away? If it helps, the rabbits are about 4 months old.
2007-02-25 07:56:38 · 7 answers · asked by Amber _rose 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
This is a semi-aggressive, yet very common behavior in rabbits, typically smaller ones, which I'm assuming you have. Netherland dwarves in particular, tend to shake as if they have a case of the shivers/goose bumps quite often, and also have a habit of nudging away human parts after sniffing them.
They don't do the pushing away because of a distasteful smell, or because they don't like you. It is a social behavior with humans that they do as a sort of curiosity. The fact is tho, the smaller the breed is, the more aggressive they typically are... like little napoleon complexes!
It is usually a simple character attribute that you'll learn to look at as cute.
This is also typical for bunnies who do not have enough stuff to appease their "tearing" behaviors. Bunnies love to tear and shred things, and have a natural need to do so because their teeth never stop growing... sort of like a beaver's teeth. More often than not, if the nudging leads to biting (which can often happen), and you wish to discourage the nudging, giving them an old White Pages book or newspaper to tear up can redirect the behavior. Even an old pair of cotton jeans can make them happy, giving them something to tear at and nest with at the same time.
Another solution, is in two months when your rabbits are 6 months old, to spay/neuter them by a veterinarian who specializes in "exotic pets" (bunnies are considered exotic pets in the vet world). Getting them fixed can not only prevent unnecessary offspring (there are so many bunnies that already need loving homes after all!), but is almost a sure thing at lessening aggressive behavior, not to mention adding roughly a year to their lives and significantly decreasing their chances of getting painful forms of cancer.
Congrats on your new pets! You're heading in the right direction by trying to learn all you can about them. I'm sure you'll do great as a bunny parent!
2007-03-01 01:41:43 · answer #1 · answered by sweetnytmare 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are OK. They are normal rabbit actions. You have nothing to be worried about. And the rabbit pushing your hand away is it's way of being nosy or friendly or just saying it wants petted. If it butts your hand away with its head you have a pretty friendly rabbit. Male rabbits tend to do that more than female rabbits. Normally the older male rabbits are the most friendly.
2007-02-28 13:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had two rabbits and one was always shaking well sleeping I asked my vet about it and he said it was normal, and when they butt your hand away they are just scared it may be because they are young and not use to you fully one of my rabbits would always nip at me if I rubbed his chin, you might be just doing something that your rabbit is not use to, or doesnt like
2007-02-25 16:36:04 · answer #3 · answered by smiling.hearts 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a rabbit thing! Similar to the chicken nipple theory!
2007-02-25 15:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When trying to nap, they could shake as just a reaction to their body relaxing. Like, us humans sometimes spasm when we are falling aleep and it wakes us up... Your bunny is just trying to relax, and it's muscles are twitching.
2007-02-25 16:01:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.thebunnyshed.co.uk/TheFAQ.htmits got all you need on here even video clips of bunny behaviours
2007-02-25 16:07:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are matting
2007-02-25 16:20:22 · answer #7 · answered by laceejr97 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋