Is your rabbit scary?  It happens.  Perhaps your rabbit has been in shelter for a while, and has developed some bad habits.  Or maybe his previous home wasn't so great.  Maybe he is just bored, or very shy...but no worries, this behavior can be changed.  

Aggressive rabbits typically escalate their behavior: they give warnings, and those warnings keep getting more and more serious, until ultimately the rabbit will attack with teeth and claw. Let’s take a look at the typical warning signs, more or less in the order they might appear.

Ears

Watch that ear position! Happy ears are forward and relaxed. As a rabbit tenses, the ears move back, and the open part tucks under and back as well. If you are putting food down in your rabbit’s area and notice those ears go back and flat, you are being warned. A thump or even a charge may ensue, as your hand invades their space.

Thumping

Whatever you are doing is suspicious or annoying. Stop and take inventory. This is a terrific opportunity to avoid more aggressive behavior! It is a gift!

Nipping

Your rabbit is annoyed and has developed a bad habit because nobody has listened to her less aggressive signals. Your rabbit can learn to nudge your hand instead, and you can learn to listen more carefully to more gentle signals.

Boxing

photo credit: inotternews.com

“Get off me get off me get off me don’t touch me” Your rabbit’s personal space is being invaded. Your rabbit needs confidence that you will do no harm.  Just spend lots of time and patience being soft and quiet and slow, and pay attention to where your hand and feet are, how your rabbit may be interpreting all that.

Growling

See “Thumping” above.

Chasing

This can be a real problem, when coupled with ankle-biting. Your rabbit has been frightened or hurt by a human in the past, and has learned that chasing and biting are effective methods to get rid of the menace. Put your boots on and wade in. Your rabbit has to learn that you cannot be chased away.

Charging

Your rabbit feels he is in direct and serious danger. This is an attempt to protect himself. Put on the gloves and boots, and respond with affection, patience, and kindness.

Attack

Your rabbit is attempting to bite fully and deeply, and may hang on with those teeth embedded. If she can, she will use both front and back claws as well.

Your rabbit is, in her mind, fighting for her life. This is a rabbit in survival mode. Wearing boots and gloves, and learning proper methods of holding and petting this rabbit, can turn this behavior around and relieve the stress of your poor rabbit living in such fear. If you are an inexperienced rabbit owner, you may want to find some support in learning how to use positive reinforcement training. You can do it! (And we think it will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do!)

Next up: identifying triggers.