Help! PLease my rabbit has bitten me!

Cornishlass

Mama Doe

• May 31, 2008

• #1

I have a gorgeous baby rabbit - now about 13 weeks old. He is usually sooo friendly, but makes a noise when I go to lift him from the hutch to the run or garden for some exercise. Today, I noticed he had "rearranged" his bedding tray, so went to tidy it before going to lift him out and he growled and lunged at me and bit me! ((cry)) I was so shocked! Why has he suddenly turned on me? Do htey suddenly get territorial? He was fine once outside his hutch!

 

J

janice

Wise Old Thumper

• May 31, 2008

• #2

This may be his hormones have kicked in, I would investigate getting him neutered and this should settle.

 

E

elve

Banned

• May 31, 2008

• #3

their sight's not great either, so sometimes they will bite if they think you have food in your hand - I always wear gloves when I put the dishes in after being bitten twice by 2 different bunnies who were as sweet as pie normally :shock:

 

*Spider*

Wise Old Thumper

• May 31, 2008

• #4

Toffee is always arranging his bedding.
I think it's a dominance thing.
Is your bun neutured?

 

D

donnamt

Wise Old Thumper

• May 31, 2008

• #5

rabbits dont like people messing in thier space... alvin used to box me when i cleaned his cage... it was pure fear hes deffo nosey now but not angry as he finally trusts im not going to hurt him.. if i was you id only mess with the cage when your bun isnt in it or just get used to the lunging :shock:

 

J

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

• May 31, 2008

• #6

Are you certain that he is a he ?

Janex

 

Cornishlass

Mama Doe

• May 31, 2008

• #7

Thanks for the advice. No, he isn't neutered, but soon will be!!! I don't know how to get him out in of his hutch to get some exercise without going in to pick him up. As soon as I open the hutch door he sits hunched up at the back ready to strike!

 

J

Jack-Bun

Warren Veteran

• May 31, 2008

• #8

If you can't pick him up safely, use a bucket, basket, to move him. Sometimes I use a washing basket to move my two from place to place. You can cover the top, so they feel safe
Jack x

 

Z

ZakuraRabbit

Mama Doe

• May 31, 2008

• #9

Cornishlass said:

? Do htey suddenly get territorial? He was fine once outside his hutch!

Click to expand...

Yes. They do.
And 13 weeks looks like a normal age for that to kick in.
One of my females were like this, she'd attack the moment I stuck my hand into her hutch, but calmed down a lot after neutering.

 

Cornishlass

Mama Doe

• May 31, 2008

• #10

Aww, you guys are great! Feel better now. Thanks.