Why do rabbits bite

A human coming in for a cuddle, for example, may look like a predator bearing down for a meal, where a rabbit is concerned. To better understand your rabbits—and to be better understood by them—check out our articles on rabbit behavior and communication. How to Safely Pick Up a Rabbit. How to Play With Your Rabbit. But misunderstandings may still happen from time to time. It can help to respond like a rabbit. If your bunny gets carried away during play, the next time it bites, try letting out a shrill cry, like an injured rabbit would.

Rabbits bite for a variety of reasons, including territoriality, fear, and pain. Although many rabbit bites are defensive, some rabbits may bite aggressively for a variety of reasons. Rabbit bites can be painful and serious. You can reduce the chances of a rabbit bite by watching for signals of fear or aggression.

Understanding rabbit body language can also help to stop an attack before it begins. Have you ever had a bitey rabbit? Do you have any tips for our readers? Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Rabbits are amazing animals that come in an astounding variety of shapes and sizes, from the mighty Flemish Giant to the adorable Columbia Basin Pygmy and the feisty Netherland Dwarf. And how much space it will need for a happy life?

The Rex guinea pig is one of the most loved guinea pig breeds. Neutering is a routine surgery, and most rabbits recover from it quickly and easily. So in this guide, we are covering the basics of caring for your neutered rabbit and what to expect after the op. Rabbits are generally clean, but some bunnies may have problems cleaning themselves due to age, ailment, or physical condition.

This can lead to urine scald and dirty bottom. Those problems left unaddressed, can become quite serious, indeed. Can dogs and rabbits live together? It depends on the dog, and it depends on the rabbit.

Some dog breeds are more likely to get on with a bunny than others. Individual personalities also play a role. There are few more divisive questions in the rabbit keeping community than whether to house pet rabbits indoors or out. Unsurprisingly, there are sound arguments. Do Rabbits Bite? Jess Faraday September 4, No Comments. Why Do Rabbits Bite? Do Bunnies Bite Humans? Image by FeeLoona under Pixabay license via Pixabay.

Image by FinjaM under Pixabay license, via Pixabay. Image by ReganE under Pixabay license, via Pixabay. Image by , under Pixabay license, via Pixabay. Jess Faraday. Jess Faraday is a longtime bunny lover and a mom to a succession of rescue rabbits. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience and hopes that it will make the world a better place for bunnies. Share on facebook. Share on twitter. Share on pinterest. Share on email. Other signs of cage protective behavior include biting you when you try to clean the cage or remove his food or toys.

Reaching into the cage could be seen as a threatening act. Instead of reaching into your rabbit's cage to pull him out, try leaving the gate open and letting him come out when he's ready. Learn the signs of a bored rabbit. Some rabbits resort to biting out of boredom. Much like a nagging child who pulls on your arm and cries until you pay attention, your rabbit's biting may simply be caused by boredom and not getting enough attention.

Consider getting a second rabbit to keep your bunny company. If you do this, however, you should ensure that both rabbits have been desexed to avoid aggressive competition. Make sure your rabbit gets plenty of exercise time outside his cage. Try to play with him, or simply let him romp around and explore a bunny-proof room.

Identify the signs of a rabbit in heat. If your rabbit has reached the age of four or five months old and developed aggressive biting habits, it's possible that he's reached sexual maturity. This can mean that the rabbit is in heat, and may continue to act aggressively until he is desexed. Spraying urine is a common sign of being in heat, as well as the rabbit plucking its own hair though this may be more common in females than males. Grunting, growling, and biting may be related to sexual behavior, though there could be other explanations.

Talk to your vet or a qualified animal specialist if you're unsure of your rabbit's developmental stage. Address nipping behavior. Some rabbits will nip at you when you try to discourage destructive behavior. This usually indicates irritation or a desire to be left alone, especially if it comes as a response to touching or moving your rabbit. Try guessing what your rabbit might need petting, food, water, etc.

Typically, if your rabbit is nipping, it's to give you a warning. The easiest way to deal with a rabbit that wants his space is to leave him alone or put him back in his cage. Know when to see a vet. Any time your rabbit's aggression or biting becomes a problem, you should talk to your veterinarian for advice on how to proceed. If the rabbit has already been desexed it could be a behavioral problem, perhaps related to previous mishandling, mistreatment, or even abuse.

It could also be an underlying health problem that's causing your rabbit to act out. Your vet will be able to give you more concrete advice based on your rabbit's health history, adoption history, and a comprehensive physical examination.

Part 3. Give your rabbit chew toys. If your rabbit is biting objects but not people, he may be acting out of boredom. Unlike human teeth, a rabbit's teeth will keep growing throughout his life, and he'll need objects to chew on to help manage that growth so it does not cause greater health problems.

If your rabbit experiences decreased appetite, nasal discharge, tooth grinding, or easily visible teeth protruding from his mouth, he may have overgrown teeth. See your vet as soon as possible so that your veterinarian can help your rabbit.

Make sure that the wood is safe for rabbits. A chew toy should be untreated and unpainted, and tree branches should be non-toxic and pesticide-free. Safe, nontoxic wood sources include apple, willow, aspen, and pine. You can also give your rabbit other chew toys in addition to wood to keep him busy. Try giving your bunny the cardboard from a toilet paper or paper towel roll, cereal boxes, paper bags, or commercially-bought animal toys. Make prohibited objects undesirable.

One option to keep your rabbit from chewing household items is to use a deterrent spray. These make furniture and other objects undesirable to the rabbit, and will likely deter future efforts at chewing those prohibited objects. You can buy a deterrent spray, or put unpleasant-tasting products on prohibited objects. Try using bitter apple spray which can be bought at many pet stores , or try rubbing a little hot sauce on an object as long as it won't destroy the object.

If your rabbit is determined to chew things, you might have to bunny-proof a room and make that his designated play area. Common household objects that rabbits tend to target include: baseboards wires and electrical cords carpets furniture including the legs, which may be hidden by other fabric corners and enclosed spaces around your home [15] X Research source.

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Talk to your veterinarian if you're worried about your rabbit's behavior. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. Never injure or abandon a rabbit. If you're experiencing biting problems and can't seem to break the habit, consider giving him up to a shelter that specializes in animals with behavioral problems.

You can search online to find rescue shelters in your area, or ask a vet for a recommendation. Helpful 8 Not Helpful 5. Ask your vet to look for dental issues, as well as joint or abdominal pain. This may be worse in unneutered male rabbits; they can become extremely sexually frustrated once they reach adolescence, which adds to their general stress levels — and is one reason why it is always advisable to neuter your pet.

Thankfully, there are ways to help shy or aggressive bunnies get used to your touch. With time, patience and a lot of gentle reinforcement, your bunnies will become more than happy to stop the aggression — and start showing affection.

Why Rabbits Bite?