Rabbit from Hell!?

Question

Ok, I asked a few weeks ago about neutering my Rabbit and I had it done. Well, he seemed to be ok, he was a little freaked after the operation. So, I did everything I could to keep him comfy, while he recovered. Welll, we took him out the other day to run and he seemed fine, just a little skiddish of being picked up. But, THIS MORNING, I take him out to run, and he turned into attack bunny, and was biting my legs and just being viscious. We couldn't catch him to put him back in the cage, he was like a wild bunny. I've looked at Rabbit Society, to see what to do about an aggressive bunny, but being friendly and saying "OH what a strong bunny you are." is a little hard when your getting a chunk taken out of your leg! Or the other thing stop making the move thats angering him, but I MUST walk! And, he's terrible in the cage, I need to wear gloves. So, I don't know, I'm ready to give up here and get rid of him. Any words of comfort here, bunny lovers, because I need some??

Answer 1

Your question kind of proves my point that I've made to people before that getting a rabbit neutered doesn't help their disposition.

The neutering may have actually made it worse. Rabbits take discipline or pain differently than a cat or dog. A rabbit will only get meaner if you try disciplining it by spanking or if it feels pain.

The only way to get them to really calm down is first through petting and attention.

1.) Stop letting your rabbit run around that may be causing part of the problem. I tend to notice that rabbits that are in too big of a cage or that run around more will tend to be more aggressive. A cage that is too big where you can't easily reach to the back corners of it that gives a rabbit a place to hide can cause problems.

2.) Get your rabbit out of the cage and onto a table. The cage is your rabbit's marked off territory. In order to get them to calm down you have to get them into your territory or equal territory, which means pulling them out of the cage and setting them down on a small carpet on a table. You can get a small carpet at any carpeting store. See if they have any extra sample pads they might give you.

3. Pet, pet, and pet some more. After you get the rabbit out of the cage. Pet your rabbit like crazy on the forehead between the eyes. Petting it in that area calms them down. Always pet them from the front so they can see your hand coming towards them and never from behind so as to startle them.

4. Distract them while getting them out of the cage. Use one hand to distract the rabbit while you grab the rabbit with the other hand. First get control of the head while they are distracted with their eyes focused on your one hand. Once you can get on hand on their head, then grab their body. Twenty-five years of raising rabbits has taught me how to grab mean ones out of the cage without getting bitten. You treat them like you are handling a rattlesnake, meaning: distract, be quick, and control the head.

5. Until you get good and can calm the rabbit down, wear an old, thick long sleave coat.

Answer 2

The rabbit may be irritable from the surgery. Other than that people always assume that behavioral issues in their pets are the pets problem. Fact of the matter is there is a reason your rabbit does not "fancy" you too much. Try starting out slow. Take small steps to handle your rabbit. It is obvious that you will not be able to barge right into the cage and pick him up. Start by putting your hand over the cage, then your fingertips in the cage, then your hand, then your hand on the rabbit...and so on until you are able to handle him. It will be a long process and you will not be able to do all the steps in one day.

I hate to say this but you should probably follow the pointers on the website...its not about you having to walk...its more about you not having your rabbit out running around under you feet at this point. Start out with a rabbit playpen.

Answer 3

I've had bunnies for years and fostered many, many bunnies with social problems, so going from experience, I have two thoughts.

1) Is he still hurting from surgery, or is there a complication making him miserable? When you're not trying to pick him up/touch him/walk near him, is he acting okay? Or is he hunched up and looking uncomfortable? If it's the latter, I'd have the vet check on him.

2) Is he a solitary bunny? Lone bunnies can become very aggressive and depressed and angry. Bunnies do enormously better with a second bunny, and they bond to that bunny for life. A bunny at our local humane society had the same sort of aggressive behavior until he found a mate. Contact the local bunny rescue, humane society, or House Rabbit Society chapter and see about introducing your little guy to some eligible females, to see who he finds to love. It will make the world of difference in his life, including adding years to it.

Answer 4

this is why i personally do not think neutering is the best thing for rabbits, my older rabbits after they retire from breeding are very spayed or nuetered and i have never had that kind of an attack problem, tho some have been agressive.

Answer 5

Some of the information here may also be useful for very shy "new" and young rabbits.

Does your bunny seem aggressive? Is she anxious and afraid? Does she nip, growl or paw at you when you approach her? Does she scoot around the cage as if in fear when you try to feed her, clean her house, or simply touch her? Don't fear, and don't give up! Aggressive bunny-human behavior is generally related to either hormones or fear. Time and patience---and a little ingenuity---will almost surely win over even the most tyrannical of rabbits.


THINGS TO RULE OUT BEFORE WE CONTINUE

IS YOUR BUNNY SICK? Make absolutely sure that the behavior is not due to a physical ailment or pain. If you are not sure, take your bunny to the vet.


IS YOUR BUNNY ALTERED? The urge to mate and the hormones that go along with it can be very vexing to your rabbit and can cause him or her to become more aggressive. Rabbits that are altered tend to be calmer, as well as easier to litter box/house train. For more information on spay/neuter click here.


PROBLEM: Bunny growls at and tries to bite when you try to take her out of her cage. She also gets very upset when you feed her or clean her cage.


A bunny's cage is his/her house--her domain, she expects it to be a safe place where she can go to be alone. She may feel the need to defend her home; she may be worried about the large hand 'getting her.'


SOLUTION: Never mess with her at all when she is in her house. Take bunny out for feeding, grooming or cage cleaning. Put her some place where she won't be able to interfere with your maid duties. Leave cage open and let her exit/enter at will during play time.


PROBLEM: Bunny exhibits aggressive behavior outside of her cage. She often nips, paws or growl when you approach her---even for patting.


People are a lot larger than rabbits and often make moves that the rabbit cannot anticipate. As bunnies cannot talk, bark or meow they need to use their teeth and their paws to communicate-often accompanied by surprisingly loud growls."


SOLUTION: Until bunny is in "Cuddle & Play Mode" wear long pants and long sleeves when you are together. Greet ALL advances with positive words and gestures. When Fluffy comes tearing across the room with her teeth bared, greet her with loving words in a happy tone of voice: "Here comes my beautiful/ handsome watch bunny! Look at you, my big tough bunny!" Bend down to her level and talk to her, pat her, give her attention. Do this sort of thing every time she exhibits aggression. Some people say a short, high-pitched yelp "Ow!" may teach a biter to beware, but I have found that more often than not it causes more anxiety and/or fear.


FOR SHY, ANXIOUS, SCARED OR TRULY AGGRESSIVE RABBITS: Try bringing the cage to the bathroom (or other small enclosed area) Grab a book or magazine, open the cage and let your bunny roam in and out at will. Let her do whatever she wants to do: lie by your side, crawl upon you, ignore you, or just sit in her cage. Don't grab at her or touch her at all if she comes to you. Talk to her and let her check you out.

REMEMBER, you are trying to gain her trust and friendship. After a few days or so of doing this (depending upon bunny, of course), start bringing toys in with you, or maybe some healthy bunny munchies. Let her get curious and come to you, yet still refrain from grabbing or holding her. After a bit of time doing this, start reaching out to her, patting her, hold her for a few minutes (whatever she will allow) and put her back down (not in her house). If she pulls sway, growls, grunts or paws, tell her (firmly) she is quite rude and continue to ignore her. NEVER HIT OR SHOUT AT A BUNNY, AND NEVER FORCE THEIR AFFECTIONS. Eventually she will be curious. She may want to nibble on your magazine, sit on you, or simply lie down next to you. If she scratches you or bites you, remove her from your person and put her on the floor. That's it. Simply remove her from the situation.

Watch and listen to your bunny for cues about what she wants and is ready for. some bunnies do not tike to be held, but are happy to 1ie next to you, or even on your lap for patting. Get to know your rabbit's likes and dislikes. All bunnies have their own distinct personalities just like you and me, and they should be allowed to express them.

Answer 6

rabbits are always unpredictable. give him to a shelter or set him free.