How to Make a Rabbit Less Aggressive | Pet Rabbits

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So a lot of people contact us to ask us what to do about a bunny who has become aggressive. And most people will tell us that the bunny was not aggressive when they acquired him or her but has progressively become more so while living in their homes. This is a tricky question because the very first you want to do with a rabbit is get him or her spayed or neutered so that whatever behavior you're seen is not just hormonally driven behavior. Once the bunny is spayed or neutered, if you continue to see the same level of aggressiveness, then you want to start working with the bunny because bunnies are not born being aggressive toward human hands.

That's something they learn and they learn it because they're scared of the human hand approaching them. So let's take a look. We've set up this cage not because it's a bunny's regular cage, it's not. This is just a demo cage that we can show a couple of techniques for approaching bunnies that will reduce aggression. So, one thing to remember is when you buy a cage in a store, if that's where you get your bunny cage, if you can, avoid cages that have very small, front opening doors. Rabbits are prey animals and like most prey animals their eyes are placed in the sides of their head, so that they can't see very well directly in front of themselves. And when you have to get a rabbit out of a front opening cage, the rabbit will just see something moving toward its head or its face and may lunge at whatever that object is, and it could be your hand. So, what you want to do s get a cage with a door that's big enough to comfortably fit your hand in without having it centered right at the rabbit every time you open it. On of our volunteers has noticed that if you put your head in, the top of your head in, the rabbit tends to be more comfortable than if you first address the rabbit with your hand. But I'll show you what I do.

I open the cage door here and I always give the rabbit a chance to back off and to move away. I never continue to move toward a rabbit if the rabbit backs off. Without stopping, waiting and trying again. And that respect of the rabbit's space pays huge dividends because the rabbit learns very quickly that it doesn't have to get away from you. Well, this is great, how do you get a rabbit out of the cage? Open the door, right? So when you're working with a rabbit who is aggressive, and I'm told by the adopter that this rabbit used to be very aggressive and she's been working with her for a while now and the rabbit is less aggressive. But what you want to do now with a rabbit who will lunge at you, is use your hand carefully on the side of the rabbit's face rather than directly in front. So you bring your hand in, let's see, how will we arrange this? Loretta, may I have you? There you go. You bring your hand into the cage without moving directly toward the rabbit. Without reaching your hand in and grasping the rabbit. You bring your hand in and pause about six inches from the rabbit's eye. Pause your hand so that the rabbit doesn't see continued motion towards its head. So that it has a choice about what to do. I move my hand and I pause. the rabbit's exploring my hand now. I bring it in again on the side rather than directly in front and I pause. And then what I do is I start touching the rabbit's head very briefly. There, I touch her head and I remove my hand. I touch it and I remove my hand. Touch remove my hand.

Touch remove my hand. Touch remove my hand. Why am I doing this? Because I am removing my hand to keep under the rabbit's threshold of tolerance. The rabbit may or may not want you to touch her head and you're giving her an opportunity to react and let you know what she wants. If I touch and remove my hand and touch and remove my hand and then I bring it in and the rabbit turns toward it, she may be asking me to move it out or she may be asking me for more grooming. In this instance, she's asking me

[TheGameGuy]

I like how she's trying to teach how to deal with aggressive rabbits but all the rabbit wants is love

[CherryzB]

"You're not doing something to the rabbit, you're doing something with the rabbit." 👍

[busyllee]

I remember watching these videos 8 years ago to prepare for getting a rabbit. My rabbit is now nearly 8 years old and he's the most gentle rabbit ever I love him.

[ofunicorns]

This lady knows what she's talking about

[socialdef]

Rabbits may not speak english or any other language, but they certainly understand.  I think all animals have that sixth sense, they can feel your energy and what you're trying to convey.  If you are scared or angry, they can and will sense and understand it.

[sanderp]

If that's aggressive then my rabbit is first class jerk.

[happyvocal]

I don't even own a rabbit why do I like watching these videos lol

[sarak.]

Actually, this is pretty helpful. My bunny was already aggressive because of it's past owners. So now he's 6-7 months old, and I am trying to make him feel safe and happy. Thanks for the instructions!

[matilda]

Not all rabbits bite out of fear. Sometimes it's territorial.

[bethalissexy]

do a video on rabbit body language!!! they're so hard to read!

[samanthaelvish]

i saw all of this, and to think i don't even have a bunny!!

[JensUniqueNibblesandMore]

Great tips! My daughter recently rescued a domestic bunny from a public park, so we have been scrambling to learn lots, and quickly. This morning I tried the tip of poking my face into her cage, she hopped up and sniffed me and then allowed my hand to come in without lunging or growling this time. We will be taking her to the vet this afternoon, and saving money for a rabbit run area and spay / neuter.

[kelseyh]

My rabbit is just scared sometimes but she's sweet other than that (:

[lilsnavelz]

These videos are so amazing. I question my actions with my bunny and his behaviors and when I'm unsure I watch these videos and I practice the examples and you have been spot on!

Thank you!

[celtydullah]

I keep rewatching this videos whenever I can. I love them.

[ashleighwright]

Thank you so much for this video, I foster rabbits for my local shelter and I currently have a female who was showing some aggression. In just one day following your advice I have already see a difference. This video may have just saved her life.

[anonymityismyname]

I feel like reacting to and treating a rabbit right is a lot like how to treat a person.

Give them space, give them options ect... maybe I'm overthinking it....

[allaboutcee]

I have a New Zealand baby rabbit and I really needed help with her she was soo jumpy.But ever since I watched this video it seems like she knows me and she isn’t less jumpy when I touch her anymore.Thank you❤️

[MissSladousek]

I used to have a bunny and she had such a personality.. very temperamental, but never bite me or hurt me. She hated being picked up, but she would jump on me when I stroke her a bit. She would then never want to leave and used to fall asleep while being stroked on her head. Her head would become so flat and she would close her eyes all the way... so cute! Every morning I used to call her name and she would quickly hop towards her cage door waiting for me to open it. I would then put my hand in front of her and she would lie her head on it, with my second hand I would stroke her head until she closes her eyes :) That was our good morning thing.. I miss her a lot! My little Fluffminster   

[delainarmen]

my rabbit is very submissive, every time i try to pick her up she lays on her stomach, how do i stop this