My rabbit bites and scratches when I pick her up. How do I stop it?

Hello, and thank you for your question. Did you just get Fluffy recently? Most rabbits are not accustomed to being picked up if they haven't been handled from a young age. I suspect she wags her tail in an attempt to squirm away. I would take it very slow, and not attempt to pick her up if she is uncomfortable. Start by gently petting her, offering her treats and speaking to her softly. Eventually, you may be able to put her in your lap. The last step is to get her used to being picked up. Always support her bum with one hand, and support her back by putting it against your chest. Rabbits have very strong legs, and can injure their back or legs if they kick out in a panic. Taking your time to get Fluffy used to you will help get her comfortable with you and avoid any injuries. I hope this helps! Good luck with Fluffy!

It sounds as though you are described territorial behavior. Female rabbits that have been spayed usually don't develop this type of behavior once they get to be several years old. She may be becoming defensive or fearful if she has an illness she is trying to hide and therefore protect herself. Some illnesses to consider in this case are dental diseases, urinary tract diseases or sometimes skin issues. If she has not had a recent (3-4 months or less) veterinary examination, I recommend starting with an examination to ensure there are no health issues involved. Beyond that, you could consider placing her in a new cage or hutch, feeding her directly from your hands (if possible to do safely) and giving more social interaction time outside of the cage.

Wounded Warrior is a very cute rabbit! I am not sure if it is because of the angle of the picture, but the litter box looks like it may be a bit small for your rabbit. Ideally the box should be big enough so that two rabbits of Wounded Warrior's size could fit inside of it. That may help provide some extra weight to discourage your rabbit from trying to pick up the box, and will also give her enough space to hop into the box and turn around. Also, some brands will also have a way to secure the litter box to the side of the cage, which may also help. One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes rabbits will decide to lay/relax in their litter box - for these rabbits, we often will recommend having two available. One for bathroom use, and one for relaxation. I hope that helps, and gives you a place to start!

Hello. I would definitely consider neutering Bun Bun in case this is testosterone/sexually based aggression. If so, his attitude should improve over the next 4 weeks. This could also be aggression based on resource protection. Some rabbits become a bit aggressive when an owner is changing food or even putting out fresh hay or treats. A rabbit can perceive this as a threat to his "stash". But the easiest thing to do is neuter him, & of course, never reinforce his aggressive behavior ( some people will see this as cute & funny & inadvertently cheer the behavior on ). Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Something may have recently startled Alice that she's feeling a bit jumpier than usual. Give her some quiet time alone (30 minutes or so), and try again, being careful to approach slowly and quietly, talking softly to her. She may just need some time to settle down. Good luck! Hope this helps :-)

Thanks for reaching out about Theo. Intact males often become less handleable. , especially at an age where their testosterone levels are on the rise. When a rabbit feels safe when restrained, they will often fight less. Well supported underneath the body and gently grasping the rear legs should do fine. Lifting them high off the ground is pretty scary so only lifting several inches, while your sitting on the ground might help. Litter training should occur at this time also. If he has selected a potty area, try placing the litter pan there, with some veggies or hay inside to encourage him to enter. Once he starts using it as a toilet, you can gradually move the pan to the area you want. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Thumper and including a photo. Rabbits are meticulous groomers but mites are often microscopic. If scabs are observed, a veterinary visit is recommended for diagnostics. Good luck.