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.
Lights, shiny aluminum pie tins, and motion scare devices can be enough to ward off rabbits, at least for a time. Dogs and cats running free in the yard are a great deterrent, too.
Rabbits have been known to die of fright, being scared to death in their cages by dogs, raccoons, even raptors overhead. Rabbits can easily go into shock, so any introductions of the predator animals must be done with extreme caution or not even considered.
Smells. Rabbits don't like the smell of predators or death. That's why many gardeners swear by everything from sprinklings of human or animal hair (get it from your hairdresser or animal groomer) to human urine (easier to for men and gardeners with fences to apply).
You can also try turning your back on your rabbit and/or stamping your foot as they do. These are powerful indicators of disdain in the rabbit world, and should your rabbit care what you think, they may be quite effective.
Cats, dogs, and ferrets are hunting animals and can easily catch and kill a domestic rabbit.
Rabbits are sensitive creatures and that includes their sense of smell. There are irritants that are common within homes that owners can try to change or eliminate. They include: Cigarette smoke.
Most rabbits absolutely hate being held. The experience of having all four feet off the ground and being trapped in someone's arms can make a rabbit really scared. If your primary way of interacting with a rabbit is to pick them up, then they will start to run away from you whenever you come near, to avoid being held.
Common environmental allergens include the dust in certain litters or in the rabbit's hay, as well as laundry softeners and detergents used on blankets. Rabbits can also be allergic to parasites such as fur mites and fleas. This will make an infestation of these pests even more irritating to your pet.
In fact, certain plants can do the trick. Plants like nasturtiums, garlic, onion, rhubarb, oregano, basil and geranium are effective at keeping rabbits out of garden beds. Also, sprinkling cayenne pepper around the garden (or even on the plants) will send rabbits packing.
Rabbits are naturally skittish creatures. It's normal for them to be afraid of people until they get to know you. Even after you've befriended a rabbit, something can be a little bit off and cause your rabbit to be afraid again.
Mice are small prey animals. Anything larger than a mouse is likely going to elicit a flee response. Rabbits are hardly aggressive animals though, and will likely be unbothered by a mouse sharing its enclosure on occasion.
Baiting is one of the most effective ways to reduce rabbit population over large areas and should be considered as a precursor to further rabbit control based around warren destruction. Significantly reducing rabbit populations immediately before ripping will provide better long term management.
The best way to gain your rabbits' trust is by simply spending lots of time being near them, while allowing your bunnies to approach you in their own time. By sitting quietly with them in a safe enclosure, you'll show your rabbits that you aren't to be feared and that you can be trusted.
Rabbits are not afraid of the dark in and of itself. If they cannot see and things are happening around them, though, they'll naturally become skittish. An outdoor bunny will smell and hear wild animals. These could be foxes patrolling your yard, neighborhood cats, or owls and bats.
Growling/hissing/grunting
Your rabbit is angry, feels threatened and is showing disapproval. Your rabbit may, for example, be saying 'Leave me alone' if he doesn't want to be handled, or if he wants to protect his territory – such as his cage or food – from a human hand or another rabbit.
When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin).
Rabbits communicate using body language, and apologizing is one example of this behavior. Rabbits apologize by touching heads.
Rabbits generally have a few sensitive spots where they dislike being touched - their dewlap (under the chin), whiskers and feet. Some rabbits are also extremely sensitive about their ears or tail.
They can get mad or frustrated, and they're not afraid to show it! Rabbits can get aggressive if they want to, swiping at you with their claws, or even trying to bite. They might even growl or grunt at you, to vocalize how upset they are.
The researchers found that the most common causes of death recorded by veterinary surgeons were flystrike (10.9% of pet rabbits), anorexia (4.9%), collapse (4.9%) and gut stasis (4.3%). The average lifespan of pet rabbits was 4.3 years, although survival up to 14.4 years had been recorded.
It is recommended that you give your remaining rabbit at least an hour with its partners body. This may seem very morbid to us but it really is the best thing for your rabbit. Stay with your rabbit and monitor its behaviour; it will find your presence comforting and will understand that you are grieving too.