Slightly out of my depth with a naughty bunny.

[MrsRajeshKoothrappali]

I sadly lost a house bunny about four years ago (welling up just typing about her) and was so gutted I thought I'd never have another one.

However, I've recently adopted a homeless bunny. She was bought with another bunny for someone's child. The two bunnies fought. The bunny I have has been shoved around and was living in various boxes/hutches because no one wanted her.

She's been mine for about three weeks. She's very sweet. Lives in a cage indoors and comes out for a run during the day (9am when I get back from the school run until about 2.30 pm when I do the second school run). She's adorable. Loves cuddles, very friendly and will happily snuggle up on my shoulder and watch telly.

But I'm having a problem with nibbling. She keeps chewing my clothes, hair, cushions and throws (despite having access to an interesting selection of rabbit nibbly toys) and a few times I've received proper nasty bites (two today which has prompted my post).

What can I about this?

She's also a tad attention seeking. Only seems happy if she's sitting on my shoulder/chest/face which isn't always convenient and thumps her feet unhappily if I stop stroking her.

She's back in her cage now as it was all a bit much.

I thought I was experienced with bunnies. My other one never behaved like this and am feeling very out of my depth.

Any suggestions??

[MimsyBorogroves]

It's been a long time since I had bunnies, but could it be attention seeking behaviour? If she's lacked positive (or any) attention historically, then perhaps she's trying to give herself certainty that she will receive it - even through negative behaviour (sort of upping her ante, hence the nasty bites)

How are her teeth in general? Just wondering if she may need them checked if she hasn't had access to hay and suchlike?

[DoubleMum]

How old is she, and is she spayed?

[MrsRajeshKoothrappali]

I think she's about 6/7 months old.

Not spayed which is worth thinking about.

My phone is charging but once it's done I'll call my vet and ask about that.

[Madratlady]

It's really worth spaying her. Apart from the benefits of her calming down when she's less hormonal, up to 80% of unspayed females get uterine cancer at some point so it has health benefits as well.

[FernieB]

Definitely get her spayed. Also get a clean spray bottle and fill with warmish water. When she chews something she shouldn't give her a spray and then offer her one of her chew toys - she'll learn. Is she allowed out in the evening? Rabbits are at their liveliest at dawn and dusk and so she may appreciate a run at those times to use up her excess energy. The cuddling up is sweet and she clearly just wants to be loved - who can blame her after the start she had! I would just give her loads of fuss and make sure that I approached her first to give her cuddles so she learns that she doesn't need to ask for affection, it's available anyway.

Good luck with her, she sounds lovely - I love a naughty bunny