Many rabbit caretakers struggle with behavior problems that include destructive digging and chewing behaviors. Some rabbits also develop bad litter box habits. Other rabbit behavioral problems include fear and aggression toward humans and other animals.
Rabbits are not the kind of pet that you can ignore and keep out of sight all day. If they are not given enough attention, rabbits can exhibit destructive behaviors or become severely depressed. They are social animals that need the company of others in order to be happy.
Spritz water
Fill up a spray bottle with cool (not icy) water, and then gently spritz the fleshy parts of your rabbits' ears – making sure not to get water into the ear canal itself. As the mist evaporates your rabbits should feel immediate relief.
Their fur usually protects them very well, but they lose that shield when they are wet. For this reason, rabbits will often have severe skin irritation that could even lead to an infection. Rabbit skin is also delicate enough when wet that it can tear more easily. A small cut can turn into a large wound very quickly.
Bathing them can even be harmful, since they tend to panic in water and may fracture a limb or their spine if they thrash around. Wet rabbits can also catch a chill and suffer from pneumonia, respiratory infections, hypothermia, and other life-threatening conditions.
Hold rabbits gently but firmly - ensure one hand supports their back and hindquarters at all times. Help them feel secure by holding all four feet against your body. Never pick rabbits up by their ears - this would be extremely stressful and is highly likely to injure them.
Offer a treat
The easiest way to apologize to a rabbit is to offer them the treat.
Many rabbits hate being held and will actually freeze with fear. Our advise would be that it is always better to get down to your bunnies level and have a cuddle. You can get just as much enjoyment out of cuddling your bunny by getting down to their level. Lay or sit next to them and interact with them that way.
If your rabbits look tucked up and quiet with their chins tucked in and noses not twitching this can be a sure sign of them feeling unhappy or stressed, as this is not a normal position for a rabbit. Moving or running away. Your rabbits may turn and move away from you (or each other) if they're unhappy.
Keep in mind that there is no need to punish your rabbit, but help steer him in the right direction with discipline. Most of the time when a rabbit is being 'naughty', it's because he is doing what is natural to him. This is where training and discipline come in!
Signs of stress may include: appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body) being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes) being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.
The only effective way to train a rabbit away from undesirable behaviors is with positive reinforcement and very gentle negative reinforcement, such as a squirt with a water bottle and a firm "No!" when the bunny is being naughty.
Many rabbits can be taught to trust you enough to pick them up, however. Rabbits also have other ways to show affection. If your pet rabbit trusts you, it may flop down next to you. It may lean against you, and it may even sit in your lap.
Does your rabbit miss you? Many people wonder if their rabbit will miss them when they're gone. You may worry that your rabbit will be lonely. If you spend a lot of time with your rabbit, they will undoubtedly miss you when you're away, the same way you miss them.
If you rabbit attacks, just ignore it, this will help your rabbit learn that attacking your ankles doesn't make you go away, but also that nothing bad will happen because you are there. Offer food to your rabbit, if you don't want to get your fingers close, tape a clothes peg to a stick and hold the food in that.
Onions, garlic, marigolds, lavender, catnip-many plants are credited with being deterrents to rabbits. What they all have in common is a strong scent. Garden blogger and author Shawna Coronado swears by a combination of 'Taishon' marigolds and spicy globe basil.
What are rabbits afraid of? 'Rabbits are naturally fearful of anything coming from above, like their predators would. If we bend down to pick them up, that action is scary,' says Rosie. 'They also dislike being lifted up, as that's what happens when they're in a predator's mouth.
You should avoid leaving a rabbit alone for more than 24 hours. This is because rabbits can get sick suddenly and require immediate medical attention. Conditions such as GI Stasis are very common, so you should always have someone checking in on your rabbit daily even if you are only away for the weekend.
Rabbits make great pets. In general rabbits need appropriate housing, exercise, socialisation and a specific diet for good welfare. Some breeds of rabbits, particularly the longer haired rabbits, may require daily grooming.
Dampen your rabbit's ears
Since rabbits lose heat through their ears, you can lightly dampen them to speed up the cooling process. If your rabbit is comfortable with it, you can use a spray bottle to mist their skin, or simply use a wet cloth or your hands to dab their ears.