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Photo by mohamad hajizade
Most people always misunderstand rabbits because of the thought that most bunnies are aggressive. There is a reason behind every bunny's reaction toward other people. It is about reciprocity. If you love bunnies, they will love you too. But the question is, how to know your rabbit hates you?
In some cases, some rabbits didn't experience a good life, so the next owners who will adopt them also suffer from the bunnies' attitude. Please understand these bunnies were neglected and not taken care of properly; that's why they became more defensive and aggressive.
One more reason a bunny hates you is that you're not giving it the freedom to explore and free roam. If rabbits are kept in cages, instead of feeling secure, they will feel like you're taking something from them—their freedom. That can result in hatred.
7 Signs Your Rabbit Hates You
1. Your rabbit lunges at you.
If your bunny feels threatened by your presence, it lunges at you. Your bunny is territorial even if you're the owner. Be careful because it's preparing to fight you if you don't quickly step back or move to another spot.
2. Your rabbit thumps its feet.
Your bunny thumps its feet because of danger. When it senses danger, a wild rabbit's instinct is to thump its feet to warn other bunnies in their area. You are considered a threat if your bunny does this when you're close. A bunny hates threats–but loves treats; it sounds almost the same.
3. Your rabbit ignores you.
All pet lovers are sad if their pets ignore them. If your bunny doesn't even look at you, it hates you. It is worse when you have a treat in your hand, but still, your bunny ignores you. That's on another level of hatred—what a strong word!
4. Your rabbit hides from you.
Bunnies only hide when they're scared or not comfortable in their environment. If your rabbit often hides when you're around, there is probably a reason why. It might've experienced something bad from other people or the previous owner. Do not force your bunny to warm up to you if this happens. It takes time to gain its trust.
5. Your rabbit doesn't like your hand close to it.
When you already observed that there were subtle signs your rabbit hated you, do not pet it. Let it warm up to you first because it will bite your hand if you don't.
6. Your rabbit doesn't want to be held or picked up.
In connection to biting your hand, picking your bunny is another wrong move. It might run or bite you when you try to pick it up. You don't have to pick it up as long as your bunny is eating, playing, and has a clean enclosure. Be patient.
7. Your rabbit's ears are slanted backward.
We have a blog on Rabbit Ear Positions. We discussed that when the ears are slanted forward, it is a sign of aggression. When you're close to your bunny and its ears have this position, it's preparing to attack you.
Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits, volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, extensive pet product research, and experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.
Final Thoughts on Signs a Rabbit Hates You
Rabbits are one of the most loving pets but often misinterpret by some people. If only they knew how fun and exciting it is to care for bunnies, they would be surprised.
Bunnies have unique ways of communicating. If their body language is disregarded because of a lack of research, bunnies will feel unwanted, unloved, and hateful towards their owners.
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