Aggressive Rabbit

[StoneyCreekRabbits]

Hi, I have a question about my Lionhead doe. She's 4 months old and I've had her since she was about 6 weeks. She's always been on the more skittish side, but I have handled her quite a bit. She was good, up until about two weeks ago. I went to grab her from her cage and she started kicking violently and grunting at me. Every time I go to grab her from her cage she grunts and looks like she's going to bite me. Today, she is even worse. She is lunging at me, boxing, grunting, and biting. I have to wear gloves to even give her food or get near her. I haven't changed anything.
Thanks!

 

[DUSTBUNNY-CLYDE]

maybe you can try luring her in and out with treats. some rabbits dont like being taken out of their cages. probably getting territorial! I was lucky that mine were never aggressive! She's probably hormonal too and until she gets spayed she might be like that! you can try pushing her head to the floor and saying no firmly! best wishes!!!

 

[JBun]

Either she got scared by something or it's most likely the hormones starting up. She's at the right age when they can start causing issues. Hopefully after a few months when she's older, she'll start to settle down. It's good to use gloves if needed so that she won't learn that her behavior makes you take your hand away.

 

[kmaben]

lol! If I had to guess I too would go with the hormones are a bit out of control. Does are very territorial. If she's in season and you dont have any plans to spay her you may have to go with the heavy gloves tactic.

The only reason I laugh is because when I got my first rabbit she was not spayed and territorial and I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Even now that I've had her longer and she's been spayed I'm still slightly afraid of her.

 

[hannaroo]

It's definatly hormonal behaviour but rabbits generally don't like being picked up anyway. The breeder I got mine from handled them well from a very early age and socialised them well. I kept it up when I brought them home but they will do anything to avoid being picked up despite no bad experiances.
I would try and avoid picking her up altogether if you can and use a carrier to transport her from a to be as dustybunny Clyde suggested. From their point of view I guess it's like a mother picking up their teenage daughter or son from their bedroom which will result in a very miffed teenager
If she's not intended for breeding I'd suggest spaying her before winter sets in and watch those hormones calm

Hope this helps x

 

[StoneyCreekRabbits]

Thanks. I don't really pick her up too much or carry her very far. I take her out to brush her and let her run around. I'm just hoping this doesn't lead to her being mean with her babies or not letting me handle them.

 

[ladysown]

she is telling you her space is hers, she wants to keep it safe for her babies, and wants you to get out of her home.

most likely she'll be a good mom.

to fix you need to reclaim that space and move her around a bit to a different cage.

 

[hannaroo]

Yeah it's just hormones and natural rabbit behaviour. Your doing everything right by the sounds of things she just likes to have her own space that's all

 

[StoneyCreekRabbits]

Ok this is all good to hear!