suddenly aggresive bunny

[member 102532]

I got a mini rex a couple weeks ago and she was been the sweetest thing just begging for attention, she would even eat out of your hand and let you stick your hand in her bowl (not that i was) never showed any agression. Today when I fed her like always, a litle in my hand then the rest in the bowl, she grunted, growled, lunged and bit my hand! We fed her a little late today so she thew her bowl around the cage and made noise, is she mad at me for making her wait? Was it a temper tantrum? how can I solve this!? i have little kids in the house

 

[member 102532]

she is unaltered btw, is it hormones?

 

[shadow rabbit10]

There are several reasons for this. She could be going through a mean stage if she is 4-6 months old. Rabbits go through that before they mature. Not all do, but some do. Or, something you did could have provoked her. It could have been something simple that you didn't think of. She may not have liked the way you moved your hand, the color of your shirt, or she may be cage aggressive. Some are very protective of their homes. I have a Mini Rex who was nice for a few months, but suddenly turned vicious. We did nothing to cause this, he is just naturally mean. Some rabbits are, and there is nothing you can do. Make sure you scold her with a stern voice when she does it, and do not be scared. They can smell fear. If she does it again, I would pick her up, pin her down, and scold her in a semi-loud, stern voice. It may have been a freak thing, so only time will tell. BTW females are usually not affected by hormones, only males. They are also mean when they are pregnant, but I don't think this is the case.

 

[member 102532]

unless she as impregnated before i jot her i don't think so! She is 2 years old and now she seems okay. maybe i just upset her somehow :/

 

[shadow rabbit10]

You may have startled her or something. I know two of my rabbit's do not like the color red, so it may have been a color thing. One time my brother was wearing a red shirt around my buck and he latched onto his stomach. Sometimes they do not like the angle you approach them either. Or, they may just not like you in their cage. I have a buck whos sweet outside his hutch, but will bite you if you go inside it.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Does seem more prone to developing cage aggression than bucks, and that would be my first guess as to what happened (there are many possibilities, that one is just fairly common for does). Even rabbits who are incredibly snuggly and affectionate outside their cage may be highly aggressive inside of it. I'll stir up some links, but there are ways to train her through it , and just little things like top opening cages versus side opening can often help.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Quote:

BTW females are usually not affected by hormones, only males. They are also mean when they are pregnant, but I don't think this is the case.

In my experience, this is not true AT ALL! Female rabbits are governed by the same basic hormones as all female mammals (including humans). The biggest argument for spaying a pet rabbit is to avoid the 90+% chance of an intact female developing reproductive cancer. But reducing or preventing aggression, including cage aggression, is another big reason that people spend over $100 on "just a rabbit" to have their female spayed. Spaying doesn't eliminate cage/territorial aggression in females, but it does reduce it and if done before the behavior has started the chances of it ever starting in the first place go way down.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

In my experience, this is not true AT ALL!  Female rabbits are governed by the same basic hormones as all female mammals (including humans).  The biggest argument for spaying a pet rabbit is to avoid the 90+% chance of an intact female developing reproductive cancer.  But reducing or preventing aggression, including cage aggression, is another big reason that people spend over $100 on "just a rabbit" to have their female spayed.  Spaying doesn't eliminate cage/territorial aggression in females, but it does reduce it and if done before the behavior has started the chances of it ever starting in the first place go way down.

I was taking about my general experience. I have never had a hormone affected doe. However, thank you for pointing that out. Now, I won't tell that to anyone else. And,I wasn't saying it was impossible for a female not to be affected by this, I just said it was less common in does.

 

[dainerra]

how many does have you owned? Of all the cage aggressive rabbits I've owned or known the owners, all but one have been female.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

how many does have you owned? Of all the cage aggressive rabbits I've owned or known the owners, all but one have been female.

I have three does. And I have three bucks. One of my bucks is cage aggressive,but nice otherwise. One of my bucks is completely evil. None of mine really have hormone aggression.