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Small pets

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Original poster

Rabbit help please

19 replies

OsMalleytheCat · 20/11/2014 20:22

Hi,
We have a 6 month old house rabbit who whilst stealing some toast from DS bit his finger - deep enough to require a trip to a&e, butterfly stitches and a course of antibiotics.
Because of this we've decided to rename the rabbit, but how? It's not fair to sell to another family with young children in case a similar situation occurs, but if I take him to the RSPCA to I have to disclose he's bitten someone? Will they destroy him? (Not something I want to happen because I don't believe the bite was malicious or done with intent).
Is there someone I can take him?
Not looking for a flaming!
Thanks

OP posts:

tiggydiggydee · 21/11/2014 20:19

I'm sorry he bit your DS fingers but firstly he should not be feeding him toast! Secondly has the rabbit been neutered? Thirdly rabbits do not make the best pets for children. How old is your DS?

A rabbit may nip by accident if it was trying to get some food so you can't suddenly rehome due to one bite. However if the rabbit is generally aggressive then take it to the vet to be checked over. Are its teeth overgrown, is the animal in pain etc. There are so many things you should do before giving up after one incident and dumping it at the RCPSA where there are already a million other poor rabbits also looking for a new home.
Honestly I think I've heard it all now......................

CleaninQueen · 21/11/2014 20:28

The rabbit didn't mean to bite your son by the sounds of it.
But some family will probably want the rabbit and rehome it because it bites

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 21:38

He's only 14 months so wasn't feeding the rabbit.
As I've explained in my post I'm aware the rabbit didn't bite him intentionally or maliciously but I can't trust the rabbit nor do I want him around my DS as irrational as it may be. I feel DS should be able to walk around with a snack safely in his own home.
However thank you for great advice

OP posts:

tiggydiggydee · 21/11/2014 21:54

Please re read your posts! If you honestly think you are being reasonable regarding your question then there is no hope!
Your son is 14 months old yet you purchased a rabbit and wanted him as a house rabbit therefore that rabbit WOULD be running around your house!!!!
For a start your baby could fall on the rabbit and hurt it while toddling about, the rabbit is going to bite if it gets hurt!!!
Good heavens above I have never read anything so ridiculous! Its a RABBIT, they do nip sometimes so why on earth did you ever buy it...what research had you done before purchasing him? You should be ashamed of yourself!

If there is any advice I could give it is get the poor thing neutered get a friend from a rescue for it and buy a very very large hutch and run for them. Then buy a shed and keep them warm inside that during the winter. Read up on rabbit care, get them vaccinated, teeth checked etc and look after them properly. The rabbit is YOUR responsibility! Or if you can't give this poor animal the care it needs contact a rescue center and let someone else take care of him. And NEVER get a rabbit AGAIN!

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 22:18

You need to read my post I very clearly said I was being irrational and I'm aware of it but can't help how I feel.
We didn't purchase the rabbit we rescued it from a neighbour who was planning to abandon the litter we were trying to do a good deed.
And again your advice is unhelpful. We no longer want the rabbit, let alone getting another, and was asking for sensible advice on rehoming him responsibly.

OP posts:

tiggydiggydee · 21/11/2014 22:25

Yes I'm afraid you are being terribly irrational! Just take the poor thing to a rescue centre then. Find your local rabbit rescue centre by researching on the web! It isn't difficult to do a little research to find one! Shocking really shocking! Poor rabbit Please don't get or rescue another rabbit again.

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 22:33

Thank you, I had no idea that there were specific rescue centres for rabbits, that was the kind of advice I was looking for...

OP posts:

HumblePieMonster · 21/11/2014 22:38

Refer to Rabbits United forum and Rabbit Rehome. Check local rabbit rescues, most are full.

A house rabbit is not a good pet (I have four, I've had them eight and a half years, I know what I'm talking about) for people who aren't totally committed - I include myself in that group. And I wouldn't have a rabbit roaming free where there are young children - I've been bitten often enough to know the potential for harm. They can give a nasty scratch, too.

Your rabbit will be happier in a rabbit-friendly environment. Good luck.

tiggydiggydee · 21/11/2014 22:38

really? Just Google!

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 22:39

Thank you Humble

OP posts:

tiggydiggydee · 21/11/2014 22:41

and I agree with HumblePieMonster sadly most will already be full

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 23:06

If they are all full then what? Do I tell the rescues that he's bitten? Will they understand the circumstances or will they destroy him?
What can I do to ensure he's rehomed properly?
What kind of questions shall I ask potential owners?
I appreciate what you're saying tiggy we were irresponsible and I want to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again, despite what you think I want him to find and have a happy forever home.

OP posts:

tiggydiggydee · 21/11/2014 23:24

Personally I wouldn't bother saying he'd bitten. Bunnies do sometime nip I'm afraid. Was it a one off or has he bitten lots?
As far as rescue's go all you can do is call around and see if they have space for him. A rabbit only rescue would be best as they will be more equipped in finding the best possible home for him. They will probably neuter him and bond him with a neutered female. You may have to widen your search a bit and be prepared to travel to one a little distance away because sadly many will already be full.
In the meantime can you put some kind of barrier up so he can't run all around your house? Keep him away from your baby...for the bunny and the baby's sake..buns have very sharp teeth as you've unfortunately found out.
I'm sorry I got cross but if you could see how many unwanted rabbits there are out there you would be shocked...its heartbreaking.
I hope you find the right rescue...if you can keep him till you find the best possible place then at least you've done everything you could for him. You'd be leaving him there knowing they'd (hopefully) find a lovely forever home for him or if not they'd keep him at the rescue for as long as needed.

Expedititition · 21/11/2014 23:34

Just tell them that he bit your toddler. It's not a rabid pitbull, it's a rabbit. They will take him, neuter him and only give him to someone who will have another rabbit for a companion. He'll be fine.

DorisIsALittleBitPartial · 21/11/2014 23:37

Again, I second that bunnies do nip, and I'm sorry that your DS has been hurt.
If you want to keep your rabbit then please have him neutered as at 6 months he will be entering puberty and likely to be a bit of a brat - neutering will settle his hormones.
Yes there are rescues for rabbits, plenty of them. And yes do tell them your reasons for rehoming - it is only fair they have the full information so they can find the best home for him in future. I say this as a volunteer for a rabbit rescue. Rabbit Rehome is a good place to start to find local rescues.

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 23:53

It was the only time he's bitten and I do believe he was after the food rather than the baby (we do feed the rabbit!) but it's a deep and nasty cut and as we haven't had him long it's hard to say whether or not it could happen again although he's quite mild for the most part.
They are always separated now and were for the most part before.
Don't mind travelling at all.
I'm sorry I got cross as well but the circumstances in which we took the rabbit in were so rushed (neighbour was moving in a matter of days and was literally going to leave him in the garden) so we didn't have time to do our research properly we were just trying to do what we thought was best at the time.

OP posts:

Original poster

OsMalleytheCat · 21/11/2014 23:55

Doris can I ask what area of the uk you're in? PM if you don't want to post it, but if you're local and have space for one more....? Thanks for all the advice

OP posts:

HumblePieMonster · 22/11/2014 00:27

Rabbits do bite.

They'll give a little nip to get their own way, but if they want to do real damage, they can. They go for soft tissue areas, the throat of smallish creatures (or people if they can get there), lips, or between the thumb and forefinger - very painful. I don't keep killer rabbits (!) they are all capable of this and don't trust anyone who says 'Oh my rabbit never bites' - he just hasn't yet.

Tell anyone you like that your rabbit has bitten - if they know rabbits, they won't be at all surprised!

FernieB · 22/11/2014 13:38

Rehome him via a rescue. I wouldn't bother revealing he bit your DS. My DDs have both been nipped by a previous bun and our current guinea pigs (as have I). It's all part of having a small pet as they nip if scared or surprised. They also nip as
Part of grooming - it pulls out loose fur from their family group - so we have had the odd grooming nip. Sometimes they draw blood but it's not intentional.

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