Increased food aggression

[Zigzag]

My rabbit Winnie has become a lot more grabby and food aggressive. She’s a rex lop and has always been extremely greedy, but over the last month it’s gone up a level.

She’s always trying to get ahead of Zigzag, but has now started boxing and growling when I give her food. Yesterday I gave her an oxbow biscuit and she grabbed my thumb instead- I have the worst bite, as she sliced my thumb open. I’m now slightly concerned about feeding her food, but only because of yesterday.

She does have underlying issues- a rare inflammatory eye issue, which is under control. She’s also under the care of the RVS; she had loads of tests and they found that she had an enlarged liver, which can make her uncomfortable. Biopsies failed to find anything, and the next option is a true cut biopsy which we’ve agreed to do if I can see she’s in pain more days of the week than not. But this isn’t the case atm.

I’m wondering if the food aggression is linked to pain. Nothing has changed in her environment.

Does anyone have experience of this? X

 

[InspectorMorse]

It could be pain induced aggression

Does Zigzag compete with her over food ? What is his hormonal behaviour like toward her now ? If he is still humping her a lot it would be understandable that she is feeling off.

Eyesight deterioration can present as aggression, especially over food.

 

[Zigzag]

No Zigzag isn’t competitive- she snatches all the food from his mouth!!!

He is normal now, thankfully. But I constantly worry he will go back to his mad ways!

Thanks also for letting me know about the eyesight too- it hasn’t deteriorated but she will see the ophthalmologist at some point this year.

She’s extremely moody, so perhaps it’s just part of her nature….

 

[InspectorMorse]

Check her ears too. As she’s a Lop ear issues could be a source of pain so I’d check in her canals and feel around the ear bases for any lumps

 

[Zigzag]

Thank you, I’ve given her a once over- and clean her ears often. You’ve reminded me to do it today!

I am not quite sure what’s going on, and I can’t use my thumb!!!

 

[InspectorMorse]

Are you up to date with your tetanus ? Animal bites can be nasty.

 

[bunny momma]

I am sorry you got a nasty bite. That seems more like she missed the target rather than an intentional attack. Sending vibes you solve the reason for her food aggression.