She bites me (only gently) but I dont want her getting into bad habits! I am the one who feeds and cares for her and gets her out of her hutch and brings her in the house but she is nicer to my boyfriend! Does she hate me?? She does get on back of sofa and sniff my hair and lick my face- surely she wouldnt do that if she didnt like me!??!
She sniffs my trousers the digs at them with her front feet- what does that mean??
How can i stop her jumping around in my arms? I can pick her up fine but once she has been in my arm for a couple of mins she starts jumping round and at times is hard to keep hold of her!!
All and any advice welcome! This is my first rabbit so anything at all!
Thanks!!
2007-06-20 02:49:48 · 8 answers · asked by Blush 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
well, i really think she likes you but maybe at times you disturb her, or hold her more than she wants to be held, or, better yet, you don't hold her tight enough so she doesn-'t feel safe and bites or wants to jump off.they say they bite gently when they want more caresses. they dig just for fun or because you annoyed her somehow. don't worry, she won't get any bad habbits! when she does these things hold her tight, caress her, don't yell at her or she'll get even more nervous.
2007-06-20 02:58:27 · answer #1 · answered by inblues19 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bites are very common in rabbits almost as a sign of affection if they are gentle bites. A scared bunny will bite for real, but she likes you not the other way around. Most rabbits don't like to be picked up. They get scared they may fall and start jumping to get back to the ground. Just give her plenty of love and she will respond. When she licks you, she's telling you she loves you.
2007-06-20 12:02:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A lot of rabbits, especially females, will become cage aggressive. Cage aggression is mostly a sign of boredom and being left in the cage for too long. Also, think of this: If you were lying in bed trying to rest, and someone just walked into your home and started to move your furniture, wouldn't that aggravate you? This is exactly how your rabbit feels when you reach in and grab her food dish. Open the door and let her out of her cage for a bit, then change her food while she's out.
Keep your dirty clothes out of her reach. She's just trying to tear your clothes up out of boredom.
Rabbits are prey animals. Most absolutely hate to be picked up and constantly held. If she doesn't like it, she doesn't like it, and she probably never will.
2007-06-20 11:19:47 · answer #3 · answered by Stephanie V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have a friendly rabbit.
It just sounds like you are doing maybe two things wrong:
First, don't stick your fingers under her nose that long. You leave them there long enough and she'll think it's food. One of these days if you aren't careful you could get severely bitten.
Secondly, when you pick her up make sure you keep her balanced. If he doesn't feel balanced she will start kicking and fighting. Ask a person that shows rabbits to show you how to pick a rabbit up by lifting it up from underneath it's chest then tucking the head into your armpit to give it a place to hide.
If you need to calm you rabbit, just pet it on the head between the eyes. That puts the rabbit in kind of a trance. Doesn't matter how mean the rabbit is...when you pet them there, they calm down.
As one person mentioned, rabbit's don't like to be held for long periods of time. If you are going to be petting her for a long period of time, set her on a carpet pad on a table and pet her.
Feel free to email me if you have questions.
2007-06-22 13:59:12 · answer #4 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My Dwarf used to paw at my pants, because she wanted to jump up into my lap. Many times a bunny will only want attention when they are ready for it. So if she wriggles around when your holding her she may just be wanting to explore instead of being held. Try little treats made just for bunnies. My Dwarf loved Popcorn and use to lye in my lap while I watched movies and fed her some.
2007-06-22 03:09:46 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gentle nips are affection, and a ploy for attention. As is the digging. Few bunnies like to be held for long periods of time.
This site is VERY helpful:
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk_intro.html
2007-06-20 10:35:58 · answer #6 · answered by tiny Valkyrie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She probably does like you, but rabbits in general are jumpy. First of all, they usually hate being held; with my old bunny if I held her, my arms would be all scratched up. 2nd, how old is she? If she's young, the nibbling is just taste testing; seeing if you taste good or not. She should grow out of it. That's all I can answer. Hope I helped!
2007-06-20 10:26:48 · answer #7 · answered by Shiny_Stone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you need to learn about rabbits I suggest going to these websites. Then read the book The House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman. Don't pick her up anymore. It only takes one drop to break a bone or her back.
2007-06-20 15:36:32 · answer #8 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋