The Truth About Aggressive Rabbits

Many people are very surprised the first time they see a pet rabbit behaving aggressively. They usually think of bunnies as cute, cuddly, peaceful and even timid pets. But rabbits, like most animals, can behave aggressively. That behavior can be very inconvenient and sometimes even painful for a rabbit owner. This article will briefly go over the various reasons your rabbit may be behaving aggressively and share a few tips that may help to remedy the situation.

One of the most common reasons a rabbit behaves aggressively is that it has not been spayed or neutered. During mating season, a male rabbit who hasn't been neutered can often be seen quickly leaping around a person's feet and nipping at them. A female who hasn't been spayed will typically be much more defensive of her nest area. These problems can be remedied by having your rabbits fixed.

Another common reason for your rabbit to behave aggressively is that it is scared and is trying to defend itself. A way to solve this problem is to make sure your rabbit feels safe and secure in its environment. Refrain from yelling at or hitting your bunny in an attempt to discipline them for biting. This will only worsen the bunny's behavior. Instead, use positive reinforcement.

Very often rabbits bite or growl when they are pestered in their hutches. This is because they view the hutches as their private space and they wish to be left alone. The best way to deal with this issue is to not bother the rabbit while he is in his hutch. Let him come out on his own. If you must move the rabbit, wear gloves and refrain from using quick movements that will frighten your bunny.

These are some of the more common causes of rabbit aggression; there are many others. If your rabbit has chronic, severe problems with aggression and you don't know what to do, don't give up on him! There are professionals and many online sources that can help you with your training.