[Silverfoxkit]

My husband got a male lop/dutch mix bunny about three months ago, and everything was fine until a few weeks ago. For some reason now he is very possessive of his cage. He gets angry and aggressive if you mess with "his stuff". His cage itself, the food bowl, the water bottle. If he's out of the cage he's fine, unless if he sees you fooling with his home, then he rush's you like a bunnicula. It is making taking care of him rather difficult. There are no other bunnies in the home. Why has hew formed this territorial attachment to his cage? Is there any way to curb his behavior?

[Alty]

Sorry that I didn't respond earlier, I didn't see your question until now.

Bunnies are very territorial creatures, think of it like this, in the wild they burrow their homes underground, they have many predators, they must defend their home. That's what your bunny is doing.

Can it be stopped, not really. There are things you can try that will get him to accept you invading his space, but some rabbits never completely stop their aggressive behaviour when a human hand comes in to their cage.

Here are a few things you can try;

1. If you have a cage with a front door, sit by the cage, open the door, have a carrot or other favorite treat in your hand. Make the bunny come to you in order to get his treat. Try this for a few days, when he has consistently eaten the treat from your hand then start petting him while he's eating. This teaches him that you are not a threat.

2. When cleaning his cage remove him, let him hop around while you tend to the everyday things that need to be done.

3. Never ever lunge at him with your hand. Always approach slowly, try petting on top of the head or back, this is less threatening to your bunny.

That's about it, if none of these tips work then you will probably have to contend yourself with a cage aggressive bunny, it's not so bad though, remember it's instinct, and sometimes instinct can't be changed.

Good luck.