sophieanne
New Kit
Hi,
I am looking for some advice and help with my rabbit - it's my first time having a rabbit and I want to make sure I am providing the best care possible.
I bought my rabbit Alfie on Saturday - he's a 6 month old Netherland Dwarf Rabbit. I thought as a first time rabbit owner I should go for one a little older, rather than one a couple of weeks old. The breeder I got him from said he had been raised being handled daily by adults and kids and had been raised around dogs so he was friendly and relaxed. When I took him home he seemed understandably nervous, so I put him in his cage and let him get adjusted. It's a big cage, with everything he needs and we let him just relax in there. I tried to take him out so that he could run around and play and get some exercise but he totally freaked out when I went near him. Not wanting to scare him, I left him in the cage and let him smell my hands and then stroked him a little.
I figure it's normal for a rabbit to be nervous to begin with, but he seems to be getting more and more aggressive..... to begin with he would let me stroke him, but now if I try he lunges at my aggressively and tries to bite. Last night he got me and bit hard - it bled quite a bit and is still throbbing this morning. I'm now really apprehensive about putting my hand near him but I don't want us not to bond just because of this.....
He does need to be neutered, and I have an appointment for him in 2 weeks, but is there anything I am doing wrong? or anything I should be doing that I am not? I want to take him out so he can run around and get exercise but I don't want to traumatise him by pulling him out of the cage if he doesn't want me to..... is it better to hold off until he lets me pick him up, or do I just do it? Is it my fault? - Have I done something wrong to upset him and make him aggressive?
Really welcome any help and advice!!
I am looking for some advice and help with my rabbit - it's my first time having a rabbit and I want to make sure I am providing the best care possible.
I bought my rabbit Alfie on Saturday - he's a 6 month old Netherland Dwarf Rabbit. I thought as a first time rabbit owner I should go for one a little older, rather than one a couple of weeks old. The breeder I got him from said he had been raised being handled daily by adults and kids and had been raised around dogs so he was friendly and relaxed. When I took him home he seemed understandably nervous, so I put him in his cage and let him get adjusted. It's a big cage, with everything he needs and we let him just relax in there. I tried to take him out so that he could run around and play and get some exercise but he totally freaked out when I went near him. Not wanting to scare him, I left him in the cage and let him smell my hands and then stroked him a little.
I figure it's normal for a rabbit to be nervous to begin with, but he seems to be getting more and more aggressive..... to begin with he would let me stroke him, but now if I try he lunges at my aggressively and tries to bite. Last night he got me and bit hard - it bled quite a bit and is still throbbing this morning. I'm now really apprehensive about putting my hand near him but I don't want us not to bond just because of this.....
He does need to be neutered, and I have an appointment for him in 2 weeks, but is there anything I am doing wrong? or anything I should be doing that I am not? I want to take him out so he can run around and get exercise but I don't want to traumatise him by pulling him out of the cage if he doesn't want me to..... is it better to hold off until he lets me pick him up, or do I just do it? Is it my fault? - Have I done something wrong to upset him and make him aggressive?
Really welcome any help and advice!!