Those Bugs Bunny teeth aren’t so adorable when they’re chomping down on your index finger. Here are a few ways to stop your pet rabbit making a meal of your hands.

Raging hormones

If your sweet little bunny suddenly starts biting you between the ages of four and six months, it’s probably reached sexual maturity. Female rabbits are more likely to develop such behaviour at this stage – not only biting, but also growling, plucking themselves or spraying urine. For rabbits of both sexes, when accompanied by circling and mounting biting can also be a sign of sexual frustration. If you think hormones could be the cause of your rabbit’s new habit, speak to your local Greencross Vets about the benefits of having it desexed.

Territorial dispute

Your rabbit’s cage is its sanctuary, so when you reach in there to clean up or lift it out, its territorial instinct may kick in. Make sure there’s somewhere for your pet to hide when you’re cleaning, or remove it from the enclosure altogether. Instead of lifting your rabbit out, open the door and let it make its own way. If your pet is being stubborn, try bribing it by placing its favourite treat outside the cage.

Fight the fear

If your rabbit tends to bite you when you pick it up, it could be because it’s a ground-dwelling creature and doesn’t like being lifted out of its comfort zone. Rather than trying to cradle it in your arms, stick to petting it on the ground. Once you’ve regained some trust you can try picking it up for just a few moments at a time before rewarding it with a treat.

More handy tips

  • When rewarding your rabbit, start with something it can chew at a safe distance from your fingers – like a carrot – then work your way down to a pellet.
  • Give your pet plenty of exercise outside its cage to ensure it doesn’t become bored or frustrated.
  • Provide something better to nibble at than your ankles. For good pet care, hay should be constantly available as well as fresh vegetables and water. Hay has the added advantage of grinding your rabbit’s teeth down to a safe level.
  • For more handling tips, see our rabbit care guide.