"Aggressive" rabbits and abandonment due to natural behaviour

By Marit Emilie Buseth
 

-Help! My rabbit is aggressive!

Lotte was apparently an aggressive rabbit and should therefore be euthanized. She was absolutely impossible and the owner asked for help on a rabbit group online. The rabbit was biting her. What should she do? Several members said that euthanasia was the best solution. "Poor thing, this was not a pleasent rabbit for you to have", a helpful member wrote. "Eutanhize the rabbit and get yourself a new one" was also widespread advice.

I was told about the discussion and saw that no one asked simple questions about the rabbit`s living arrangements, under what circumstances she attacked and how the caretaker handled the rabbit. Nobody found out that the rabbit had lived most of her life in a carrier and was being grabbed when least expected.          

 

Behavioural problems seem to be the most common reason for the abandonment of animals. Behavioural issues, such as aggression, destructiveness and lack of litter training, are the most reported causes for the surrender of animals to shelters. Undesirable manners, most of which represent the animal`s natural behaviours, are usually a result of inadequate living conditions and poor provision for the species`needs. It is therefore important to increase the public`s knowledge about animal behaviour, and make them aware of the need to provide for the individual rabbit, cat or dog.

 

We wanted to help the misunderstood rabbit, and brought her home with us. The scared rabbit could finally be in control over her own body. She decided for herself when it was time to leave the carrier, and she explored at her own pace. We didn`t grab her, but sat on the floor and spoke quietly. She showed no aggressive tendencies, and the next day she was already curious about her new humans. She was less afraid of hands, and we were even allowed to pet her gently on her forehead.

 

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As is the case for many neglected rabbits she was also hormonal, but she was neutered within a few days, and her obvious hormonal behaviour ceased. Being a rabbit, she had just defended her territory, which in this case had been just a tiny carrier, but now she valued her new freedom and large area, and it didn`t take long before she performed her first binky.

She was also longing for company and was delighted when she finally got two rabbit friends in a wonderful home for life.

          

Poor and misleading rabbit information seems to be in abundance, and it is important to know where to obtain reliable knowledge and welfare oriented guidance. Behavioural problems seem to be a recurring reason why rabbits are being handed over to rescues or delivered to euthanasia, which makes this a key area for attention. It is neither challenging nor particular demanding to improve a rabbit`s life, and by following the advice and knoweledge given in Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care, "problem rabbits`" will be happier and more harmonious, as was the case with Lotte. 

There are of course other causes for aggressive behaviour as well, and I will write more about changes in behaviour and other concerns in a later post.    

 Marit Emilie Buseth       Photos: author

         

                      

Captivity often prevents animals from perfoming their natural behaviour. In the case of rabbits, restrictions on the ability to move about have serious consequences, and one should have knowledge on the species`needs and preferences when considering types of living arrangements. Get a thorough understanding of the rabbits`natural habitat, health, social behaviour and all topics vital to offer then suitable living conditions in a domestic setting in Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care.

                       

 

 Lotte   

Mia, one of her two new friends

Selfie with Lotte

Milli, one of her two new friends

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