Rabbits can be affectionate, but fear or aggressive instincts can cause them to bite.If you're raising a rabbit that has behavioral problems, you might be wondering what you can do differently to bring it back to you.It is possible to break a rabbit's biting habit, but it will take some work and patience.The rabbit will be back to his old self with time.
Step 1: The triggering situation should be determined.
Aggressive biting is one of the many reasons why a rabbit might bite someone.If you want to break your bunny's biting behavior, you'll have to observe him and figure out what set him off.Is your rabbit afraid of being picked up?Does your rabbit bite when you reach into his cage?Does your rabbit get aggressive when you feed him or take away his food?Take a look at the most common situations in which your rabbit acts aggressively.Think about why your rabbit might feel threatened.
Step 2: An angry rabbit should be calmed down.
You may be tempted to keep your distance if your rabbit is acting aggressively.To calm your rabbit and show him affection is the best way to deal with this situation.Over time, this will teach your rabbit that you are not a threat and that he does not have to fear you.Look at your own body language.If you put your hand in front of a rabbit's face, it may seem like a good way to introduce yourself, but it could be seen as a threatening gesture.A dominant rabbit will force his face into another rabbit's face as an act of aggression.He might think you're doing the same thing if you shove your hand towards his nose.Keep your hands away from your rabbit's nose.If your rabbit is frightened near you, try stroking his head from above.Make sure to avoid the face and talk to your rabbit in a calm and soothing voice.Some people believe that holding an angry rabbit against your breastbone can calm him down and make him feel secure.Lifting and securing an angry rabbit is not recommended for everyone.Make sure the rabbit's feet and mouth are away from you if you decide to try it.
Step 3: Give your rabbit treats.
It is possible to distract an aggressive rabbit with treats.When he knows he'll be rewarded with treats, a rabbit who acts aggressively will come to react more calmly.Find a treat that your rabbit likes.You should give him a special treat instead of the usual food and vegetables.You can put the treat in a metal bowl or a clean mint/candy tin.If you are going to approach your rabbit, make sure to Rattle the treat in the tin.When he is in a good mood you can use the treat to calm him.Your rabbit will approach you when you shake the tin if you associate the rattling with the treat.This trick will calm your rabbit's aggression when you need to pick him up or clean his cage.
Step 4: Slowly introduce your rabbit to the stimuli.
If your rabbit is aggressive when you try to pick him up, you need to slowly expose him to that situation.This is important, as forcing him to cooperate will only make your rabbit more aggressive.Before your rabbit is left alone, let him determine how much contact he can handle.If you lift your rabbit up, you can offer him treats using a rattling tin.If he behaves, this will serve as a cue for him to get the treat.Limit how much you expose your rabbit to.When picking up your rabbit, only lift him for a moment or two at a time, then immediately put him back down and reward him with treats.
Step 5: Don't force your rabbit to do anything.
Some people think hitting a rabbit with a newspaper or swatting his nose will break his bad habit.This is a very dangerous thing to do.If nothing else, hitting or disciplining your rabbit will make it even more fearful of you, and can cause serious injuries.He will never forget if you discipline your rabbit.He will only fear and resent you after that point.Through petting and caressing, your rabbit should see your hands as a source of affection.While retraining your rabbit, be sure to assure him that you are not a threat.Let him know that his environment is safe.
Step 6: Try other ways to stop biting.
There are other painless ways to teach a rabbit that he has hurt you with his biting that are recommended by some rabbit experts.Any unpleasant physical contact may cause your rabbit to fear you in the future.These or other methods of discipline should be discussed with a vet or animal care expert.Pressing a rabbit's head down to stop him from biting may hurt or even kill him if you use force.Unless you are a skilled rabbit trainer, you should not try this.Rabbits scream to convey fear or pain.If you want to let your rabbit know he's causing you pain, consider watching or listening to an online recording of a rabbit screaming.
Step 7: Desexing your rabbit is a good idea.
Sexual maturity may be the cause of aggressive behavior.Some rabbits in heat will bite or scratch for no apparent reason.A sexually mature rabbit will reduce territorial and aggressive behavior.If you think sexual maturity is the problem, talk to a vet.Make sure your vet knows how to desexe rabbits.
Step 8: Understand cage protective behavior.
Sexual maturity can cause rabbits to become territorial.If you try to remove the rabbit from his environment, he will become aggressive.Other signs of cage protective behavior include biting you when you try to clean the cage or remove his food or toys.The cage is the most likely place for rabbits to feel safe.The act of reaching into the cage could be seen as threatening.If you want to get your rabbit out of his cage, leave the gate open and let him come out when he's ready.
Step 9: There are signs of bored rabbits.
Some rabbits bite out of boredom.Like a nagging child who pulls on your arm and cries until you pay attention, your rabbit's biting may be caused by boredom and not getting enough attention.If he'll let you, spend some time with your rabbit.If you want to keep your bunny company, consider getting a second rabbit.If you do this, you should make sure that both rabbits have been desexed.Make sure your rabbit gets a lot of exercise outside.Try to play with him, or let him explore a bunny-proof room.
Step 10: You can identify the signs of a rabbit.
If your rabbit is four or five months old and develops aggressive biting habits, it's possible that he has reached sexual maturity.The rabbit may act aggressively until he is desexed.A common sign of being in heat is spraying urine, as well as the rabbit plucking its own hair.There could be other explanations for grunting, growling, and biting.If you're unsure of your rabbit's development, talk to your vet or animal specialist.
Step 11: nipping behavior was addressed.
When you try to discourage destructive behavior, some rabbits will nip at you.If it comes as a response to touching or moving your rabbit, this usually indicates irritation or a desire to be left alone.Nipping may be a cry for attention.Try to guess what your rabbit needs.If that stops him from nipping, that's good.It's usually to give you a warning if your rabbit is nipping.If a rabbit wants his space, leave him alone or put him back in his cage.
Step 12: Know when to see your doctor.
If your rabbit's aggression or biting becomes a problem, you should talk to your vet.It could be a behavioral problem if the rabbit has already been desexed.It could be an underlying health problem that's causing your rabbit to act out.Your vet will be able to give you more concrete advice based on your rabbit's health history, adoption history and a comprehensive physical examination.
Step 13: You should give your rabbit chew toys.
It is possible that your rabbit is acting out of boredom.He may be chewing to manage his teeth.Unlike human teeth, a rabbit's teeth will keep growing throughout his life, and he'll need objects to chew on to help manage that growth so it doesn't cause more health problems.Your rabbit may have overgrown teeth if he experiences decreased appetite, nose discharge, tooth grinding, or easily visible teeth jutting from his mouth.If you have a rabbit, you should see your vet as soon as possible.The best chew toy for rabbits is wood.You can buy a wooden product at a pet store, or give your rabbit a fresh tree branch to chew on.It's important to make sure the wood is safe for rabbits.A chew toy and tree branches should be non-toxic and pesticide-free.Apple, willow, aspen, and pine are safe wood sources.You can give your rabbit other chew toys to keep him busy.You can give your bunny the cardboard from toilet paper, towel roll, cereal boxes, paper bags, or commercially-bought animal toys.
Step 14: Allow objects to be undesirable.
A deterrent spray can be used to keep your rabbit from chewing.Furniture and other objects are not good for the rabbit and will likely deter future attempts at chewing them.You can buy deterrent spray or unpleasant-tasting products.Try rubbing a little hot sauce on an object as long as it won't destroy the object, or use bitter apple spray, which can be bought at many pet stores.
Step 15: There are problem areas and objects.
If your rabbit is going to chew, you might have to bunny-proof a room and make a play area for him.Common household objects that rabbits like to target include: baseboards wires and electrical cords carpets furniture and enclosed spaces around your home.