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Help with rabbit's behavior? Please!

tormenza

New Kit
I'm just about at my wits end with my lovely rabbit, Zola. I got her in September from a good friend of mine who couldn't find time to keep her any longer. She's a female dwarf mix of some kind.

My major problem with her is that she is good aggressive. If I try to put my hand in the cage while she's eating to either fill her bowl up with some more food (which doesn't happen often since I usually take it out to fill it to avoid it and to hopefully & successfully show who's boss of food) or to clean up something gross in her cage that I realize is there after I feed her. She gets fed twice a day, once at night and in morning. She has plenty of hay ALL the time, and always has fresh water. She barely really bites, mostly lunges and claws with her front legs, and growls a whole bunch. I read a lot about this, and I have a couple ideas how to solve the problems- but if you have any suggestions, I would LOVE to hear them.

Secondly, I guess this goes along with the first. I seem to have a very insecure rabbit. She'll nibble or nip at your arm if you pick her up, mostly if you're standing or go into a different room. is there any way I can help her become more confident and hopefully stop this behavior?

And lastly. Zola just ADORES to bite on the side or bottom of her cage. Less so on the bars than she does on the plastic pan on the bottom. Which is extremely loud and hard for me to sleep through. I tried everything. I also taught her a 'no bite' command which she fully understands, and sometimes I can see her thinking about doing it again and watching me until she does it again. Either way- she has a bajillion toys and a hut made from thin sticks that she could chew on. She just chooses not to. Could it be it's something that she likes to do? Either way.. I so want it to stop.


Sorry that was so long. I really feel like I need help. I trained my rat out of aggression, but I can't seem to get a handle out of this one. I think the main difference is that my rat was just plain old grouchy and in pain since he was sick most of his life. I think my rabbit is insecure or thinks she's the queen. Help?
 
Is she spayed ?

Does are by nature very territorial and if she's entire this will make things worse.
tbh she is behaving perfectly normally to someone invading her space !!

How big is her cage and how much time is she out of it to exercise ?

I would suggest the following

1-A general health check by a Vet to ensure that she has no health issues making her territorial aggression worse.

2- If she is healthy get her spayed if she is not already.

3- Do not attempt to clean her cage whilst she is still in it. Take her out first.

4- Feed her concentrate (pellets etc) from a treat ball rather than a bowl.

5-Ensure her environment is large enough , a Rabbit should never be shut in a small cage IMO. A large dog crate with several levels attatched would be much better.

6- Provide toys such as wood chews etc to prevent boredom.

You may find these links useful :

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

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=52032

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/48-Dog-Puppy-...QQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs?hash=item35a52d5e4b

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/catalog/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=137&reviews_id=9
 
Thank you. :) I'll check out the links. She's still young too, less than a year. She's going to the vets after the holiday season and I'll ask about it and such. She's got plenty of room and I let her run everyday for plenty of time.
 
Most vets will spay a Doe around 6 months old so I'd definately enquire at your next visit as I agree she sounds pretty hormonal.
 
Secondly, I guess this goes along with the first. I seem to have a very insecure rabbit. She'll nibble or nip at your arm if you pick her up, mostly if you're standing or go into a different room. is there any way I can help her become more confident and hopefully stop this behavior?

Probably not :? Most rabbits dont like being picked up, being held or carried. If you need to move her from place to place, I suggest you put her in a carrier to do it, it'll be much less stressful for you both.
 
my Alvin is very Anti human even tho he has been done... but at 2 years old hes finally starting to mellow.

if you bear with her she will get better once the hormones start to die down :love::love::love::love:
 
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