Agressive bunny

Question
Hi,
Last year i found a baby bunny in my backyard. The bunny was old enough to fend for himself, but still very young. Well I caught him and kept him as a pet. When i first got him he was very shy and scared. He would let my 3 year old neice hold him and play with him. Well since a few months ago he has become aggressive. If i try to feed, pet, pick him up or anything like that he grunts and attacks. I 've tried talking to him and i let him out to play. But now when i let him out to play i have to force him into his cage because he refuses. I just want a nice bunny and i don't know how to help him. Please help

Answer
Hi Stephanie

Is this a wild bunny or a domestic bunny?  I am going to assume it is a domestic bunny that was abandoned because wild bunnies just don't survive in captivity.  If it is a wild bunny then you need to call a wild life rehabilitator for help or contact Ms. Dana Krempels PhD.  She is another expert here and she does work with wild rabbits.  I do not deal with wild rabbits so if it is wild I just don't know how to help you.

Ok if your bunny is domestic then the very best thing you can do for him is to get him neutered.  When rabbits reach sexual maturity they become aggressive and territorial.  They will often times bite, scratch, kick, fight, refuse to use their litter box, basically just be downright bad.  There are some things you can do to alter his behavior but her really does need to be neutered.

The other thing you need to consider is that he may be in pain.  If you found him in the yard and he has never had a good health check-up then you don't know if he had sustained any injuries while he was out there.  I know you have had him for a year but even if he had as much as a broken toe he could have a bit of arthritis in the area.  He really needs a good health check-up by a rabbit savvy vet.  If you need help finding a vet in your area please go to this site:
http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

The next thing you want to do is when you let him out to play is sit on the floor and play with him.  Let him come to you.  Whatever you give him for a snack try feeding it to him from your hand.  Once he associates your hands with good things he may let you come to him with your hands.  When you approach him with your hands make sure you do it at eye level so he can see you.  Rabbits can't see above their heads so things that come from above them will scare them.  This is something that will take a great deal of time.  It certainly won't happen over night but he is not hopeless.  

You can also contact an HRS chapter near you.  They will come to your home and help you with behavior issues.  They are awesome people and they just want what is best for the rabbits.  They will insist that the bunnies get neutered and should be able to help you find a vet too.  

It was a great thing that you did taking in this rabbit.  If it is indeed a domestic rabbit it would have never survived in the wild.  Some people foolishly let their rabbits go thinking that they can survive in the wild.  Sadly these rabbits have no instincts to survive in the wild and they are easy prey to dogs, cats, raccoons etc.  They don't know the difference between poisonous plants and non-poisonous plants.  Unlike their wild cousins they usually won't make it a day in the wild.  Bless your heart for taking this rabbit in.  

I hope you can get him to be a better bunny.  Please don't give up on him.  If you work with him and get down on his level he will get better.  I know once he gets neutered you will be amazed at how much nicer he is.

Good luck Stephanie

Sincerely,

Pam