Help! Biting!

This is my first post. My rabbit is male and is about 1 and 1/2 years old. I bought him from a breeder at a county fair. He is a netherland dwarf. I keep him in a cage with a litter box and a small box that he can crawl in and jump ontop of. In the mornings (before school starts), I put him in a pen outside so he can hop around and eat grass. During the day, I give him lettuce and grapes and any other fruit like, plums and bananas. He has bitten about six people (drawing blood) for no reason! Sometimes when they put their hands in his cage, or sometimes he just lunges at them as soon as his door is opened. Help me! My rabbit has never bitten me before, he likes me the best out of everyone. Sometimes he even comes to me when I sit in his pen outside. But, I rarly get to pick him up because he runs away so fast as soon as I try to pick him up. At night, My family helps me catch him and bring in the cage and the bunny so he isn't out at night (I'm afraid of the temp. and of predators.) Please! Someone help me before my sweet rabbit ends up in the pound!!!!!

Hi there :wave:

I think you and your parents need toread all the leaflets on the RWAF this will give you a good starting place:
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/index.php?section=leaflets.html

A useful leaflet for the younger bunny owner:
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/you_and_your_bun_aug_05.pdf

Leaflets here with regards to your biting bunny:
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/biting_hand_may_05.pdf

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/viciousbun.htm

Right firstly it sounds like your bunny needs to be neutured, please read here:

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/neutering28.8.07.pdf

Also it sounds like your bunny is bored and lonely, normally they need a neutured bunny female friend, do a search for a bunny rescue centre in your area, some will do bonding for you.

Bunnies need lots of toys, they don't have to be expensive, they look cardboard boxes, tunnels, willow toys, rattle boys etc etc.

Please do not give bunnies lettuce, this is not good for them. Also they should only have a tiny amount of fruit a day, for example a little bit of banana as a treat. 90% of their diet should be GOOD quality hay and grass, green veg and a tiny amount of pellet food. Do not make changes to his diet suddenly though it will make him very ill. Feeding advice below:

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/Feeding130807.pdf

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/going_green_oct_06.pdf

I think you must decide whether bunny is an outdoor or indoor bunny, it sounds like he is stressed and frigtened when you catch him, and he sounds confused with his surroundings.

If outdoor, make his hutch secure with fox proof mesh, and padlocks on the doors etc.

I don't know how big your hutch is but it does sound to be a little small.

Right I will leave it for now, as I have attached a lot to read.

Good luck, sure others will add some things I have forgotten.

Clare x

I think if you get him neutered it will calm him down

Thanks. I really want to neuter my bunny. I hope his behavior gets better. He is outside on a leash now, very cute!!!!

minirex said:

I think if you get him neutered it will calm him down

Click to expand...

I second that. Esp nethies they are less calm than the bigger breeds. Also another tip rabbits love company maybe once he's neutered (about eight weeks after) get him a lady friend? Check up some tips of how to bond them

Sounds like a hormonal boy defending his mum and territory.
A routine neutur should calm this frustration and most probably stop it all together :wave:

Fantastic Post Biscuit Bunny! :wave:

Yes, thanks for the links, i found the neutering leaflet reassuring (i'm dreading N Day in a month or so)

If your bunny is 18 months old I would suggest getting him neutered ASAP before this behaviour becomes learned.

*Spider* said:

Fantastic Post Biscuit Bunny! :wave:

Click to expand...

Thanks Spider :wave:

thanks. my bunny is sitting with m right now. i want 2 know somthing, is it wrong 2 corner my bunny and catch him?