Friday, May 14, 2010

What is the best way to handle a grouchy rabbit?

He ';honks'; all the time. He's just really unpleasant no matter what we do or don't do. My daughter's great grandmother left it to her so I really want it to work. But, jeez, he's grouchy!What is the best way to handle a grouchy rabbit?
I've raised a whole lot of rabbits in my time and I don't think your rabbit is grouchy. He, she, or it, is not use to being handled. It's in self-defense mode. Rabbits do bite, and man, can they claw the heck out of you. Not to mention the kicking thing. Still want the rabbit? Silly as it sounds, he needs to be handled more. NOT PICKED UP! Put him on a table or the ground, keep your hand on him and gently pet him. Don't pull his ears. Not good!When you have to pick him up do it with a firm but gentle grip. Like everything else, it takes a bit of time and trust. Be grateful great grandmother didn't leave her a mule. Now they can be grouchy!What is the best way to handle a grouchy rabbit?
Maybe the rabbit misses his former owner? Can you try putting a blanket or scarf or something that she used near him, so he can have the scent. Try to keep his cage (or where ever he stays) as clean as possible, and give him time to adjust to his new home.





Good luck.
Grouchy rabbits often are lacking something in their environment. Check to make sure your cage is large enough and the rabbit has all he needs for room, running around, and the like. Most commercial rabbit cages are too small unless you let him out for a majority of the evening.





Male rabbits honk/wuffle for a variety of reasons, some of it is related to mating behavior. I'd spend the money and have him neutered as it will reduce aggressive behavior and spraying, as well as a honk reduction. Males also like to stomp (think Thumper from Bambie) for territorial and mating purposes. Neutering will eliminate that as well.





Go slowly, wear gloves if he's biting. Sometimes your reactions will encourage grumpy behavior without your being aware of it. Wear protective clothing if he's at all aggressive so your jumping and yelping isn't making him think 'this is fun!'





All in all, he might just need more time to acclimate. Don't rush the rabbit, and take your time getting to know and trust one another.
I prefer stewing over roasting
get a long stick with a red ribbon tied to the end of it and gently stroke their nose!!
He's only honking? He's not by any chance chasing you and running around you, is he? This isn't grouchiness - this is how bunns express their affection! If he's honking and rather clingy, he's flirting with you!





Have a read of these articles about aggression - hope they're helpful too -


http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-3/age-re鈥?/a>


http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggre鈥?/a>


http://www.rabbit.org/behavior/index.htm鈥?/a> (under ';agression';)


http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittal鈥?/a>
I'm sure that the Rabbit misses his ';Mommy'; (yours %26amp; your Daughter's Grandmother %26amp; Great-Grandmother). You should probably try to first make friends with the Rabbit. In his or her cage, if you happen to have something that belonged to his first ';Mommy';, put in in the cage so the Rabbit will be reminded that ';Mommy'; is still somehow around. Within a couple of days, place a blouse or something that your Daughter has worn into the cage so the Rabbit will get the scent of his ';new Mommy';. Gently talk to the Rabbit calling his or her name when you are near the Rabbit and try giving small treats. Eventually the Rabbit will come around, but for right now he or she is probably in mourning. Once the mourning period is over, the Rabbit will come to welcome yours and your Daughter's advances. Good Luck.
  • baby sunscreen
  • No comments:

    Post a Comment