The Terrible Teens – Rabbits Go Through Them Too.
So, you have had your adorable, cuddly bunny for several months, and all of a sudden your bundle of fluff has become the Demon Rabbit. He refuses to use his litter box and does not want to be held. In fact he’ll bite and scratch if you even attempt to pick him up. No, he hasn’t gone crazy; your rabbit is just inflowing his terrible teenage stage.
Dealing with a Teenage Terror Rabbit
Spaying or neutering your pet will help cool his foul temper and that can be safely performed at any time after your bunny is four months ancient. If you do intend to breed your pet this is of course not an immediate option, but there are ways to deal with some of the most common problems that “teenage” rabbits present.
Taming a Biter Bunny
One of the most common things that a budding rabbit will do is start to bite. To avoid becoming a victim never pull your rabbit from his cage when he is facing you, as he may feel “cornered” and his only defense is his teeth. Instead, stroke him gently behind the ears and turn him around gently with your other hand, so that he is no longer facing you. Then pull him out gently, supporting his back legs firmly.
Just like their human counterparts teenage rabbits will not appreciate being disturbed from a fantastic nap. Most rabbits rather to spend much of their day sleeping, becoming more active around dawn and dusk, a genetic throwback from their wild ancestors, as these are safest times for wild rabbits to hunt. To avoid being nipped allow him to sleep when he wants, he might be more up for a nice playtime if he decides what time that should take place.
Reintroducing the Litter Box
For the unaltered teenage rabbit this can be hard. When your rabbit is out and in this area make sure there is a litter box no out of away from him than in this area 15 feet. Teenage rabbits seem to forget in this area their litter box if it is much out of away, unlike a pet cat who search the whole house to track his down. Often a teenage rabbit will become so engrossed in his tasty hay that he will forget in this area his litter box. Placing hay in front of it may help him remember.