my rabbits bite HARD

[thedudewiththefish]

Hi, I've got three rabbits and they seem fine, health wise. But 2 of them bight HARD, i handle them everyday and keep there hutches clean, i exercise them aswell. But whenever my hand comes anywhere near there teeth, they bight, enough to make me bleed for about ten minutes. Is there anyway to stop them biting?

 

[mm_simb]

I think first you'd have to rule out if they have pain by the mouth area so taking them to a vet and asking him/her wouldn't hurt. Does he eat well? Because if he does I think you could rule out the pain issue. Other than that I would say, try to handle them for short periods of time and often. Also, give them treats by hand...or try at least, and praise them when they take the treat.

 

[thedudewiththefish]

well my rabbits eat plenty so i dont think they've got any pain in the mouth, but i'll try giving them treats and praising them!Thanks for the advice

 

[Stagette]

Another tip might be to make sure your hands are really clean as they could be biting you because they can smell some kind of food or something on your fingers so i'd try that for a start. Animals mainly bite through a lack of trust so the treat idea is a good one, also try getting them out one at a time and give them the treats seperately and try to build their trust up and show them your no threat to them and won't hurt them. Sometimes it just takes time and patience for an animal to come round and trust you completely but once your there its totally worth it

 

[RandomWiktor]

Just out of curiosity, when you remove the rabbits from the hutch, do you have to reach in and are they in a tight, confined space? They may be territorial, or may feel trapped when you reach in after them, and are thus defending their space. This problem is compounded when the door opens inwards from the side instead of outwards from the top, as they're percieve it as crowding them more and more.

I would suggest that you very carefully read the rabbit's body language before handling. An agressive stance might include leaning fowards in a crouched position with the ears back and muzzle tilted upwards. Stomping, grunting, and lunging are, of course, also agressive behaviors.

Perhaps open the door and give the rabbits some time to calm down prior to handling?

 

[pnyklr3]

I know that this is a little off topic, but I had a sugar glider that would bite. He bit because he realized at the pet store that people would leave him alone. He bit because it got the reaction he wanted. I know a sugar glider's teeth are much smaller than a rabbit's, but I endured many bites to train the glider to know that I wasn't going to leave because of that. It worked after awhile, and I would carry him around in my pocket!

 

[snowyangel]

What sex are your rabbits? In our resuce we had male rabbit that would bite and the vet said its' due to them not being sterilized/neutered. It's also the same reason why it's marking his territory more often.
I noticed the same behaviour in a male guiena pig we recieved. We got him neuetered and after he's became the most docile and cleanest thing ever! He now poops all in one corner and not everywhere in his cage.

 

[MsDad]

Rabbits are just like any other animal - they all have different personalities. I used to raise Mini Rex, Mini Lop, Holland Lop and Jersey Wooly rabbits. At one time I had over 150 rabbits! Almost every single rabbit had a good disposition. But there was one, a chocolate brown Mini Rex doe, that would lunge and try to bite anyone who put their hand in her cage. She had done the same thing with her previous owner as well. No amount of praise, affection, treats or anything ever changed that. That was just her personality. It seems to me that you may just have "lucked out" and gotten two bunnies with lousy personalities. You definitely want to stay clear of their mouths. Rabbits are fast critters, but as they're vegetarians, they don't usually have to chase down their food. So unless you're practically sticking your fingers in their mouths or have dreadfully slow reflexes, you should be able to avoid getting bitten. Hopefully, the more you handle them and earn their trust, the less they'll display this behavior. Good luck!

 

[houndour]

Hi,

I've just rehomed a pair of rabbits and I was told by the home that rabbits don't generally bite but if they do it's usually for a reason.

Everyone else here has outlined most of the cases...

They may not like you entering their territory.
A lot of rabbits don't like to be picked up. But most will be fine once you have picked them up and hold them close and securely so they feel safe.
They might be in pain.

But like MsDad says it may just be their personality.

Here's a couple of links that may help:
http/www.houserabbit.co.uk/rwf/articles/viciousbun.htm
http/www.houserabbit.co.uk/rwf/articles/biting_hand.htm

Sam

 

[chris_1127]

we had a rabbit that was a real nasty biter when i was young, it used to growl and snort when you tried to pick it up, and as you say they can inflict a really nasty bite! this one was female, and although my mum and sister used to try and handle it a lot, it never seemed to get much better. it used to bully the guinea pig it lived with a lot too.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

yeah they really do bite hard!

 

[thedudewiththefish]

Thanks for all the info everyone! She is starting to calm down now so the treat method is working!

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

that's good to hear

but may i add if they bite you when your hands go near their teeth that maybe you shouldn't put your hands near their teeth?

my rabbit only shows signs of agression if you try to touch his towel or food bowl

 

[cheekeyarab]

Most animals have sensitive areas, parts of their bodies where they find contact threatening. Every rabbit I have had has disliked contact around their chin. Ears are fine but not the chin!

I would continue trying to gain their trust but you should always listen to your pet if they try to tell you something. My guess is that they are saying "I don't like that, please stop doing it!"

 

[OrkyBetta]

I used to have a dwarf hamster that bit, I just got a handy pair of thick gardening gloves and would use them to handle the animal. I was always very gentle with the animal, and it bit and bit, but I couldn't feel it. I would give it a treat whenever I held it, and after a while he stopped, and it was no longer a problem, I didnt even need the gloves.