Natural Rabbit Behavior
While rabbits may look adorable, they're anything but meek. In
the wild they are both curious and resourceful -- and as adept at
getting out of trouble as they are at getting into it. Your
rabbit is no different when brought into the home as a pet.
The myth of the quiet, shy bunny as an ideal child's companion
and low-maintenance pet is just as false. Rabbits are not just
pretty, mellow critters with a fluffy tail but creatures with
specific needs and individual personalities.
Like other animals, they bond to owners and develop habits and
characteristics based on the environment in which they find
themselves. But they will never get away from their natural
characteristics. First and foremost, they are social animals,
living in warrens and large communities. They are also prey
animals that have survived by burrowing, hopping away from danger
and delivering powerful kicks with their hind legs. Their teeth
are strong to allow them to eat -- and to get out of trouble.
Pet Rabbit Behavior
Curious, Intelligent and Sociable
Your rabbit is curious and intelligent, which makes him both fun
and interesting to watch, and his highly social nature allows him
to bond with humans and other animals. Though generally silent,
your rabbit is able to make several distinct noises and can
clearly express himself and his desires when needed. He can also
make fascinating and amusing movements. Your rabbit prefers to
keep his feet on terra firma and, although he likes to roam, he
still needs to know you're there in case of trouble.
Personality Types
Like all animals, each rabbit has his own personality -- and you
can see this clearly by looking carefully at your rabbit's face.
A mellow rabbit has a relaxed face and is happy to stay in your
arms. A worrier looks nervous and rarely wants to be held by you.
An irritable rabbit looks like the harried clerk at the DMV who
acts as though he'd rather be doing anything than serving you.
Mood Changes
Even the best-behaved rabbits have mood changes and there are
times when your normally gentle rabbit wants nothing to do with
you -- or acts aggressively. It is possible, sometimes, to
discover a reason behind that kind of temperament change by
looking at the environment and doing some detective work. Is
there something different in your rabbit's cage or in the house?
Are there people visiting, or other animals nearby? Your rabbit,
being a prey animal in the wild, is more prone to fear and stress
than a predatory animal like your dog or cat. Stress can make him
behave in unpredictable, uncharacteristic ways. Often, by
eliminating the source of the stress, you can solve the problem
-- and get back your well-behaved rabbit.
High Maintenance Animals
Rather than being a low-maintenance animal, your rabbit needs a
lot of care, attention and training -- at least one to two hours
daily. Often, this could simply mean watching your rabbit play or
keeping him out of mischief. Having a rabbit is much like having
a puppy, with all its attendant ups and downs -- including the
fact that the "bunny" will never quite grow up.
Rabbit Behavior
Your rabbit is curious, tenacious and mischievous -- and can
sometimes seem incorrigible. He will tear up carpets and chew up
furniture; he enjoys racing around open spaces and will use your
furniture as a platform for jumping off; he throws objects and
climbs on things to see the view from the top. At the same time,
your rabbit enjoys company very much -- and he's an excellent
communicator.
Sounds and Body Language
Your rabbit makes a number of sounds, but you must pay very close
attention to hear them. He also uses body language as well as
more blatant signals such as the characteristic "thumping" that
signals danger, to express himself.
Maintaining Social Order
Your rabbit prefers the company of other animals, including other
kinds of pets or rabbits of the opposite sex. Beware of placing
two rabbits of the same sex in the same cage. Rabbits establish
social order by a process that often includes a violent struggle.
Two rabbits of the same sex are likely to fight if they are put
into the same cage. If you don't want to have two rabbits, you
might want to consider getting your rabbit a guinea pig companion
to keep him occupied and out of trouble.
Age-Related Behaviors
A playful, impish young rabbit needs to be kept occupied to keep
him out of harm's way, and this is particularly true during
adolescence. As with any teen, your pet seeks constant
excitement, which can lead to destructive and dangerous behavior,
including unbelievably tenacious (and often successful) attempts
to chew his way out of his enclosure. He will also try to tear up
and chew whatever strikes his fancy. Unfortunately, your rabbit
doesn't know what is safe to chew on and what can harm him. It's
up to you to remove potentially dangerous items from your
rabbit's reach.
Rabbits that are accepted and understood are happy rabbits.
Paying attention so you get to know your rabbit and spending time
playing with him leads to a healthy relationship. Your rabbit may
follow you around the house more faithfully than your dog; he may
sit sociably beside you watching television; he may even purr
like a contented cat. And yes, he will play -- with you or with
almost anything that he can find.
Your Rabbit at Play
Rabbits are naturally curious and playful. Chewing is not only
something they do, but also something they enjoy, and chew toys
are always a favorite treat. Your rabbit will also enjoy toys
that he can push or toss around. Toilet paper or paper towel
rolls are easy, inexpensive toys, as are all-natural wood blocks.
(Remember that these will be chewed, so steer clear of
pressure-treated wood, particle board and plywood).
Favorite Pastimes
Your rabbit's behavior will tell you what the best toys are for
him. Watch what he does and what his favorite pastimes are.
Purchase toys based on your knowledge of your rabbit's
personality as well as his age and gender. Rabbits don't care how
much you spend on toys or even that you made them. They just need
the mental stimulation that playing with toys provides. But you
will need to be innovative to keep your rabbit happily occupied.
Rabbits can get bored with their old toys, and a bored rabbit can
become destructive or even vicious.
Opportunity for Exercise
Toys also provide an opportunity for your rabbit to get exercise.
Rabbits need things to crawl under and over, climb on and hop off
of, dig into and chew on. Anything made of wood will eventually
be consumed. Unless you keep your rabbit in a Plexiglas
enclosure, be prepared to provide him with plenty of amusement,
companionship and exercise -- or you might be putting up "Lost
Rabbit" posters.
Even if he doesn't escape, without sufficient opportunity for
play, socialization or exercise, your rabbit will become
depressed and overweight. Allowed out of his cage in your home
without appropriate activities, he will create his own by using
your furniture and carpeting as his personal chewing, jumping,
crawling and digging playground.
Encouraging Good Behavior
The key to a having well-behaved rabbit lies in distraction and
diversion. By remembering and understanding your rabbit's natural
tendencies, you can easily provide for his needs.
Here are some easy ways to encourage your rabbit to behave:
*
Satisfy his desire to dig by providing a box lined with carpet
where he can dig to his heart's content. Distract him and
redirect him to that box as soon as he begins to dig elsewhere,
and he will quickly learn what is his and what is yours.
*
Satisfy his desire to chew by providing non-toxic or untreated
wood chews, or specially designed rabbit "furniture".
*
Satisfy his curiosity and sense of play by giving him toys with
bells and interesting textures.
*
Satisfy his need for exercise by letting him out of the cage for
several hours a day.
*
Satisfy his need for socialization by giving him your company and
attention and by providing a "buddy" -- whether that is another
rabbit or a guinea pig.
*
Satisfy his "prey" instincts by giving him a box or cat home to
run to when he feels stressed or frightened.
By satisfying these needs and natural instincts, you will give
your rabbit the opportunity to become a truly healthy and happy
pet. And by understanding the whole rabbit, you will be able to
appreciate your pet for himself, instead of holding him to
mythical standards of behavior.
So how do you stop your pet from scratching, nipping or biting?
Conventional rabbit training advises that when she nips, you must
respond with a loud shriek. This is supposed to send her a
message that biting is unacceptable. But your shrieking may also
make her more nervous and frightened. You'll need to weigh your
rabbit's temperament before trying this method.
If yours is a nervous rabbit, you may need to turn on the charm
at first. When you approach her, protect yourself with long
sleeves, long pants and gloves. Keep your hands away from her
face. If she bites, gently push her away and murmur some
endearment, such as "Why hello, pumpkin." Try to pet her at the
same time. Eventually, she'll associate your touch with
affection.
Before opening your rabbit's cage to allow her out for play,
greet her cheerfully. Then, throughout playtime, be particularly
gentle, allowing your rabbit to take the lead and decide when she
no longer wants to play. As social as rabbits are, sometimes they
just want to be alone.
Always greet your rabbit's aggression with understanding and
respect; it's simply her way of telling you she's upset. Try to
figure out what agitates her, and when you do figure it out, try
to avoid it. Handling your rabbit's defensive tactics lovingly
and calmly will comfort and encourage her.
See Also:
Index of All Rabbit Care & Bunny
Fun Stuff
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