i dont know what to do with my rabbit?

Question
Dear Lee Meyer,
          I have a white rabbit with black rings around her eyes.I don't know whats wrong with her.One day i was putting more feed in her cage and i put my hand in and she bit me.i dont know why i love her so much and i dont want to get rid of her.I hold her everyday,she always has food, and water. i just dont get it? and today my mom was doing the same thing and she bit her too.

please say u can help!!

from,
gabby

Answer
Hi Gabby,

I'm glad you wrote.  There are several things it could be.  My mom has a Hotot rabbit as well, and they appear to be a very energetic breed of rabbit.  

First, late February into Spring, rabbits are a little more feisty than usual.  It's the whole season thing, they feel it, and they're just more energized.  Females become a little more cage aggressive than they may usually be.

Second, depending how old your rabbit is and whether they are fixed or not, this could be part of it.  If your rabbit is 6 months or older and not been spayed, she has hit sexual maturity and until she is fixed, she will exhibit more cage aggression that you are experiencing now.

Third, would be if something was on your hands (a scent or smell) that she did not like or scared her, and she was defending her territory and herself.  Often smells of other animals or perfumes can irritate them and cause them to do this.

The only other thing would be if she had had physical abuse in the past and was believing it was going to happen again.  But I don't think that is what it is in this case.

My guess is that it's possibility 1, or both 1 and 2 together.

If you need a good rabbit vet for a spay procedure and don't have one (a good dog and cat vet is not the same thing!!!), go to:

www.rabbit.org/care/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet in your area.  

In the meantime, I would recommend taking a slower approach to her and doing chores in her house (cage) when she is in the cage.  Move more slowly, talk soothingly to her and if you are moving towards her, move your hands to her more slowly and let her sniff the back of your hand first and then slowly pet her.  It might be better altogether to clean her house or change litterpans, etc, when she is out of the cage exercising.  At least for now.

I'd also recommend visiting the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) and search for articles on the terms "behavior" and "cage aggression".

Feel free to write back anytime.

Lee