Why Does My Bunny Bite Me?

If you just finished a meal of tacos or any food that you eat with your hands, wash your hands before handling your bunny. Rabbits' noses are very sensitive, and they can smell the lingering remnants of your last meal. They may have mistaken your finger for some delicious lettuce!

Your Bunny Is Stressed

Rabbits are sensitive to their environments to a greater degree than most companion animals because of their vulnerability. As a result, they can become easily stressed out at things that the owner might not notice, including:

• Introducing other animals into the home
• Their hutch or habitat is not kept clean
• They are in pain from illness, injury, or debilitated from old age
• They are being handled improperly (or too frequently)
• There is too much noise or chaos in their environment
• They haven't been properly socialized
• They are bored
• They are around unpleasant odors

A thorough checkup by their vet can rule out any medical reason for biting. Then, you can work to eliminate any other stressors in the home that could make them bite you or others.

Your Bunny Made an Honest Mistake

This is most common in young buns as they are being socialized. Ideally, your rabbit will already be socialized when you acquire it from a responsible breeder. But if your bunny came from a pet store, it might not have been handled sufficiently or be stressed by people tapping on the glass of its enclosure.

When first handling your new bun, be mindful of these possibilities and keep your fingers out of harm's way. A rabbit may bite just trying to figure out what those moving things are.

There's a "Bun" in the Oven

Some rabbits dislike being handled when they are pregnant. Just like in some pregnant women, the surging hormones can make them cranky or snappish. Give your bun the space she needs to feel comfortable.

You might be thinking, "But my bunny hasn't mated with another rabbit! She can't be pregnant." No, she's not. But her body has convinced her, with the signs and symptoms that mimic real pregnancy, that she is indeed pregnant. False pregnancy syndrome occurs in rabbits and in human women, too.

Usually, it will pass on its own in a couple of weeks and your bun will no longer bite. Check with your vet if it continues to manifest, however. They can share some tips for eliminating the problem of false pregnancy symptoms.

Your Bunny is Trying to Dominate or Establish Territory

If you haven't spayed or neutered your bunny, its natural aggression can make it try to show dominance. If you have more than one rabbit, you have likely noticed that one has established itself as "Top Bun." But even beta buns might bite to help them assert dominance within the household.

Biting, as well as urinating and defecating outside of their designated bathroom spot, can be a bunny's attempt at marking their territory. They perceive you or your child(ren) as "theirs" to bite or chew at will. These behaviors are unfortunately some of the prime reasons some rabbits get resold, or wind up tragically turned loose in the wild. But this behavior can typically be eliminated or greatly deterred by spaying or neutering them, which is why it’s highly recommend to do so when you first get your rabbit.

Your Bunny is "Hangry"

Don't you get a bit "hangry" too when it has been too long between meals? Well, the same is true for your bun! To keep your small pet happy and healthy, order farm-fresh hay shipped straight to your door. Regularly scheduled deliveries will ensure that you will never run out of healthful and delicious hay.

Keep Your Bunny Happy and Healthy

Your bunny is more than just a pet -- they are a valued member of your family. Do all that you can to keep your bunny on a nutritiously balanced diet. That, along with generous doses of love, is just what your bunny needs to live their best life.