Being bitten is all part and parcel of owning a pet, however, it can be scary when a pet bites you for the first time, especially if the pet is usually very mild-mannered. Rabbit bites can be particularly nasty. Their teeth are sharp and serrated and can cause a lot of damage. Even small rabbit breeds like the Netherland Dwarf are capable of breaking the skin and causing a lot of bleeding. So why do rabbits bite, and are rabbit bites dangerous?
Although they can be painful, rabbit bites are not dangerous to humans, however, they may break the skin and cause bleeding. Younger children with smaller hands and fingers may need medical attention and a tetanus shot (to prevent infection) if a bite occurs.
So, if you’ve recently been bitten by your own rabbit, rest assured that you’ll be fine. That said, we understand rabbit bites can be a shock for an owner, especially if your rabbit is acting completely out of character. With this in mind, If you decide to read on, we’re going to go over the reasons a rabbit may bite, what you should do if you do get bitten, and how you as an owner can prevent it from happening again.
Is a rabbit bite dangerous?
Rabbit bites are not dangerous to adults in the way that a snake or spider bite might be however they can be very painful and can break skin. For smaller hands and fingers belonging to children, there is a greater risk of an injury that requires some form of medical attention.
When biting, a rabbit may choose to nip as a warning or may bite down while kicking out with its powerful back legs which can cause damage, through scratches in addition to the bite.
While the bite itself is not dangerous and resulting damage will probably not leave a lasting scar, there is a danger of lasting psychological damage.
Once bitten by a rabbit there can be a natural fear and a reluctance to continue to handle or approach the rabbit. Young children in particular may be fearful of a rabbit that bites. All too often this can lead to a pet being that is neglected or given up to a shelter.
Does my rabbit hate me?
There are a number of reasons that a rabbit may bite but it’s not usually the case that the rabbit dislikes or hates you (at least not without good reason).
For the most part, rabbits are easy-going, good-hearted, and gentle pets, but like any animal (including humans) they are capable of acting completely out of character on occasion.
That said, a rabbit is an intelligent animal, and continued cruel behavior will not be quickly forgotten as is sometimes the case with a pet dog.
Why did my rabbit bite me?
Most of the reasons that a rabbit bites are born out of a perceived threat to its life, however, there are a couple of other things you should look out for if your own rabbit is biting out of character. We’ve listed common reasons for and a short summary of each below
Cruelty
Sadly, there are people in this World who are cruel to animals including rabbits. Physical cruelty is of course evil and may result in a (well-deserved) rabbit bite.
Psychological cruelty is also a possibility with some owners and is just as bad if not worse than physical cruelty in that an owner may not realize they are committing it.
Rabbits are animals that need love and social interaction so actions such as leaving them alone for days on end in a small inadequately sized hutch are tantamount to a form of torture.
If you are an owner that rarely gives your rabbit any real attention you should not be surprised if your unexpected appearance at the rabbit hutch door occasionally results in a violent response.
Perceived Threat
Rabbits are prey animals with a lot to fear. They sit at the bottom of the food chain alongside sheep (and grass!) and have multiple land predators and birds looking to make a meal out of them. Although domesticated, our pet rabbits retain their wild instincts and an ingrained fear.
New owners often expect rabbits to be easy to handle pets and while this can be true of very young rabbits, adult rabbits are often averse to being picked up as they relate the sensation of having their feet off the ground as liken to being scooped up by a hungry predator.
As such, a rabbit you have not built up a level of trust with may react by lunging or biting when you approach.
A level of trust must first be built up, this means spending time with the rabbit, treating it as a member of the family, and always acting with kindness towards it.
Once a good bond has been established, you should have no problem handling or approaching the pet without fear.
If you are currently experiencing these kinds of issues with your own rabbit, why not read our post detailing how to bond with a rabbit (link to post: How to Bond with a Rabbit).
Territorial behavior
Rabbits are extremely territorial animals and even our domesticated breeds will exhibit these behaviors. If you have a house rabbit of your own, expect to see ‘chinning’ (the rabbit rubbing its scent glands against objects in your home), chasing and mounting (establishing dominance if you have more than one), and spraying in unneutered males.
For owners, encroaching on this territory can again result in a grunt, a lunge, or at worst a bite. Speaking from my own experience of adopting a 4-year-old female previously kept for breeding, rabbits that have spent significant time in smaller-sized hutches seem to be fiercely territorial even when moved to a much larger territorial space (as was the case with my 5-year-old female ‘Pixie’).
Sickness or injury
The last possible reason for rabbit biting that we’re covering here is sickness or injury. This is the most important for an owner to be aware of as recognizing that there is a problem can be the difference between life and death for your pet.
The main problem is again down to instincts. Predators will often go for the weakest members of a group and will single out the easiest prey. For this reason, a rabbit that is unwell or injured will often try to hide its disability so as not to appear weak in the eyes of a potential predator.
Our domesticated rabbits exhibit this behavior which is why certain illnesses are difficult to spot and appear to come on very quickly when in fact they have been developing over several hours.
Gastrointestinal stasis is one such example and it is often the case that by the time you realize it is a problem, it may be already too late.
Alternatively, a rabbit that is acting out of character may have injured itself in some way while exploring its environment. While you may not always be able to see this injury through fur, you should consider taking the pet to a vet if you suspect this may be a possibility.
Different types of bite
Rabbits bites can vary depending on the reason for the bite and the rabbit’s frame of mind, a rabbit that perceives a threat or is injured will likely bite harder than a rabbit that is mildly annoyed because you’ve put your hand a bit too close (giving you a small ‘nip’ as a warning!).
On a personal note, I have experienced sustained bites lasting up to ten seconds.
What should I do if a rabbit bites?
As difficult as it may sound, it’s important to avoid reacting with anger if bitten by a rabbit. While a bite may be painful, the potential damage that you could do to your relationship with the animal by lashing out far outweighs the relatively minor injury you’ll receive from the bite.
Remember, rabbits are fragile and sensitive animals, please NEVER hit a rabbit.
How do I treat a rabbit bite?
If bitten by a rabbit, running the wound under cold running water and then applying an antiseptic (Savlon or similar) along with a sticking plaster will likely be sufficient.
The Risk of Infection
Rabbit bites are not usually serious, but they can cause infections due to bacteria in the rabbit’s mouth. If a rabbit bite breaks the skin, it is important to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic, and cover with a sterile bandage to protect against dirt and bacteria.
If the wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus, seek medical attention. In rare cases, rabbit bites can cause serious infections such as Pasteurella, which can spread to the bloodstream and lead to sepsis.
This is more likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
To minimize the risk of infection from rabbit bites, it’s important to handle rabbits gently and avoid situations that may cause them to feel threatened or stressed.
If you are unsure how to handle a rabbit safely, seek advice from a veterinarian or experienced rabbit owner.
How to avoid being bitten by a rabbit?
Domestic rabbits are descended from wild animals so it’s impossible to completely remove the risk of being bitten altogether. However, here are some things to consider to minimize the risk of ever getting bitten by a rabbit. Starting even before you pick up your new little buddy.
Make sure a rabbit is right for your family
Often overlooked is the fact that rabbits are not a good fit for every family. Rabbits are far from easy pets, their cautious nature and long lifespan make them particularly unsuitable for younger children.
A rabbit bought on a whim for a child will probably fall out of favor very quickly.
Rabbits ideally need a companion however, human company is also important. A neglected rabbit, perhaps left outside in a hutch and not treated as part of a family will be more likely to exhibit antisocial behaviors including biting.
If you are thinking about getting a rabbit here are some other posts on our site that you may want to read first.
Is a rabbit a good pet for a child?
Start handling the rabbit from an early age
Baby rabbits are easily handled and show little objection to it, however, once adulthood is reached those natural instincts kick in which can make catching and handling a lot more difficult.
Despite difficulties associated with handling, it’s important to persist with it at least until a trusting bond has been built up.
Although rabbits are happier with all four feet on the ground, knowing how to pick them up the right way is an essential part of rabbit ownership and can make things like nail clipping and veterinary visits a lot easier.
The more used to handling your rabbit becomes, the less chance it will see you as a threat (and possibly bite).
If you would like to know more about how to handle your rabbit correctly and build a bond, here are a couple of posts we wrote.
How to train a rabbit to be held
How to build a bond with a rabbit
Provide sufficient space
Rabbits are energetic animals and while wild rabbits have vast areas to explore and play, our domestic rabbits are rarely afforded a lot of space. Countless rabbits are kept in an inadequate hutch for large parts of the day.
Sadly, some are confined to these hutches for 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As mentioned previously, this is a form of psychological torture for a rabbit and usually results in premature death.
Aim to keep your rabbit in good physical and mental shape by providing an exercise space of around 32 square feet (8ft X 4ft) in addition to a clean dry sleeping/eating area.
If this is not achievable due to having a small size yard/garden, consider giving your rabbit free roam of your house (or a room of its own).
A rabbit afforded a large amount of freedom (in a secure run/yard or garden) will be less likely to suffer from ‘anger issues’ and less likely to bite without very good reason.
Respect territory
Leading on from providing a large exercise space, it’s also important to consider the aforementioned territorial nature of a rabbit and respect its territory.
This doesn’t mean of course that you have to avoid being in a room at the same time as a rabbit but it does mean that the rabbit should have a quiet place it can go for privacy away from you and any other house pets or children that may cause it stress.
Maintain Health
Sometimes rabbits bite because they are ill or suffering an injury. Although it’s impossible to guarantee a rabbit will never suffer from an illness providing a nutritious diet will go a long way to keeping them healthy, in particular, providing an unlimited amount of good quality hay is essential for both digestive and dental health.
You can find our complete feeding guide here (link to What Can Rabbits Eat? Complete Guide). Remember, a healthy rabbit is a happy rabbit (and a happy rabbit rarely bites!)
Furthermore, remember to ensure your rabbit has regular health checks at a veterinary practice, and immediate attention if you notice signs of illness or sudden change in character.
Be kind
Finally, always treat a rabbit with kindness. Head strokes, the occasional treat, and plenty of playful interaction will help foster a good relationship whereby a rabbit will be very unlikely to bite you.
Again, never hit out at a rabbit, even if it has bitten you. Instead, follow a process of elimination (refer to this post if it helps) establish the cause and take steps to sort out the problem.
Conclusion
Rabbits are intelligent animals and bites usually only occur from a perceived threat or an aggravation of some sort.
Although their usual reaction will be to run, when backed into a corner they will often fight back, however, a rabbit is unlikely to act with malice unless they have been intentionally provoked.
Keeping your rabbit mentally and physically fulfilled through a good diet, exercise and regular gentle interactions is the best way to avoid a rabbit bite.
Sources
Further Reading
How to Treat a Rabbit Bite cuteness.com
What to Do if A Rabbit Bites You (Treatment Steps) petkeen.com
Why Do Rabbits Bite Humans? animalwised.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rabbits vicious?
A rabbit is a herbivore and is not vicious by nature, however, a rabbit can become vicious over time, usually as a result of mistreatment or failure to provide basic care requirements, namely, a good diet, exercise, and regular interaction.
Does a rabbit bite hurt?
Some rabbit bites do hurt, rabbits have powerful jaws and serrated teeth which means that their bite can break the skin and cause bleeding. Rabbits can also nibble or nip, however, this is usually painless.
How can you prevent rabbits from biting?
Give your rabbit plenty of attention and socialization, provide them with enough space and toys, and learn their body language to avoid situations that make them feel threatened.
Can you train a rabbit not to bite?
Yes, you can train rabbits not to bite by socializing them from a young age, rewarding good behavior, and using positive reinforcement techniques.
Are some rabbit breeds more prone to biting?
Some rabbit breeds may have a higher tendency to bite, but it mainly depends on their individual personality and upbringing. Always approach any rabbit with caution and respect.