WelshBunny
Young Bun
Hi! I've just made an account to post this.
I've got a rabbit that I've had since May (2 years old) and have had him fully vaccinated and (as of last week) neutered too as he is a buck. I bought a soft brush a while back with a wooden handle and have used it to lightly brush him. However, this wasn't getting the hair out so I bought a small slicker to use gently after watching some rabbit advice videos on youtube (some say they are great for rabbits, some say they are too harsh - I figured to use gently and see what happens). It seemed okay for a while, brushed him a little every couple of days or longer depending on what was going on.
Well, a few days after neutering, he chomped my hand and refused to let go, which was an experience in itself, shall we say... He did bite me in the early days but that was my fault as I moved my hand around him in the cage, his territory (he then chilled out about that as he grew more confident and me a little more savvy about reading his body language, knowing what's his space, protective behaviour). I've since realised that he's actually chasing and attacking the brush as it moves around him. I brush him on the floor with me kneeling, now keeping hands carefully out of the way, so he is free to move. This happens with both the super soft brush and the slicker after about 3-4 strokes. I don't honestly feel comfortable at this time putting him on my lap to brush, although I have been picking him up occasionally (considering I was transferring him in/out of his pen daily before, he was okay if concerned by being picked up, no biting or more than temporary stress), putting him on my lap, feeding a few treats then returning to pen to build up some positive associations with being handled. He runs up to the edge of the pen whenever he's awake (as he's in my office) for treats and I feed him by hand - this has produced no nipping. He's happy to climb all over me if I'm sitting on the floor and flops quite often throughout the day, likes to be on his "perch" and will stretch out across it close to me. He doesn't seem to be running away to hide but if he does pop into his hiding box I give him space and peace.
I'm assuming this is a combination in brushing of "don't touch me, I don't like this" and possibly a little of the hormones after neutering - but I could very well be wrong and would appreciate other thoughts. Are there any books on rabbit behaviour in domestic rabbits that you could recommend so I can read up a little, please? I did a good bit on rabbit care beforehand but a lot of books seem geared towards young children and too simplistic. I do need to brush him as there is fur coming out and I would like to do my best to make sure he does not ingest it. He was sent with nail clippers (clipped them once, due another) and I was told that he hated that but they did not mention brushing. I would say that he internalises his stress/fear and reacts by fighting rather than fleeing to hide in the places he can go to.
My idea currently is:
- Buy a new, soft and gentle brush, less negative associations with smell etc
- Leave brush with him for a couple of days, see what happens
- If all good, no destroyed brush, start brushing lightly and feed treats (meadow mix) every few strokes
- Keep sessions short with plenty of positive reinforcement
Does anyone have any insight on the brushing stress/fear? How can I alleviate this stress/fear for him? Does anyone have any ideas or experiences that I could learn from, please? Links to any good brushes that I can get in the UK would be amazing too if at all possible or available!
Apologies if I've given too much information surrounding the issue, just trying to show what's happening so people can get a better idea of his environment prior. Plus, rabbit bites blooming hurt, that Monty Python scene was dead spot on!
I've got a rabbit that I've had since May (2 years old) and have had him fully vaccinated and (as of last week) neutered too as he is a buck. I bought a soft brush a while back with a wooden handle and have used it to lightly brush him. However, this wasn't getting the hair out so I bought a small slicker to use gently after watching some rabbit advice videos on youtube (some say they are great for rabbits, some say they are too harsh - I figured to use gently and see what happens). It seemed okay for a while, brushed him a little every couple of days or longer depending on what was going on.
Well, a few days after neutering, he chomped my hand and refused to let go, which was an experience in itself, shall we say... He did bite me in the early days but that was my fault as I moved my hand around him in the cage, his territory (he then chilled out about that as he grew more confident and me a little more savvy about reading his body language, knowing what's his space, protective behaviour). I've since realised that he's actually chasing and attacking the brush as it moves around him. I brush him on the floor with me kneeling, now keeping hands carefully out of the way, so he is free to move. This happens with both the super soft brush and the slicker after about 3-4 strokes. I don't honestly feel comfortable at this time putting him on my lap to brush, although I have been picking him up occasionally (considering I was transferring him in/out of his pen daily before, he was okay if concerned by being picked up, no biting or more than temporary stress), putting him on my lap, feeding a few treats then returning to pen to build up some positive associations with being handled. He runs up to the edge of the pen whenever he's awake (as he's in my office) for treats and I feed him by hand - this has produced no nipping. He's happy to climb all over me if I'm sitting on the floor and flops quite often throughout the day, likes to be on his "perch" and will stretch out across it close to me. He doesn't seem to be running away to hide but if he does pop into his hiding box I give him space and peace.
I'm assuming this is a combination in brushing of "don't touch me, I don't like this" and possibly a little of the hormones after neutering - but I could very well be wrong and would appreciate other thoughts. Are there any books on rabbit behaviour in domestic rabbits that you could recommend so I can read up a little, please? I did a good bit on rabbit care beforehand but a lot of books seem geared towards young children and too simplistic. I do need to brush him as there is fur coming out and I would like to do my best to make sure he does not ingest it. He was sent with nail clippers (clipped them once, due another) and I was told that he hated that but they did not mention brushing. I would say that he internalises his stress/fear and reacts by fighting rather than fleeing to hide in the places he can go to.
My idea currently is:
- Buy a new, soft and gentle brush, less negative associations with smell etc
- Leave brush with him for a couple of days, see what happens
- If all good, no destroyed brush, start brushing lightly and feed treats (meadow mix) every few strokes
- Keep sessions short with plenty of positive reinforcement
Does anyone have any insight on the brushing stress/fear? How can I alleviate this stress/fear for him? Does anyone have any ideas or experiences that I could learn from, please? Links to any good brushes that I can get in the UK would be amazing too if at all possible or available!
Apologies if I've given too much information surrounding the issue, just trying to show what's happening so people can get a better idea of his environment prior. Plus, rabbit bites blooming hurt, that Monty Python scene was dead spot on!