Do Lionhead Rabbits Bite? Does it Hurt?

Do lionhead rabbits bite? Well, sometimes. Although they are extremely sociable and friendly, it can happen that they decide to resolve some of their issues by biting people. Why?

There is always a valid reason behind such odd behavior. The most important thing to do then is to understand why this is happening and to remove such trigger from their environment.

To ease this up, here comes all you need to know about lionhead rabbits which tend to bite and how much does it hurt.

Why do Lionhead Rabbits Bite?

The most common reasons which bring to such aggressive behavior are fear and territorialism. Rabbits which do not feel safe in their home tend to bite because they are scared and this is their best way to protect themselves.

Also, rabbits which are not neutered or spayed can bite whilst trying to protect their territory when hormones kick in. Rarely, these pets can also bite when overly stressed or when suffering great pain.

To some owners, it may seem that their rabbit pet is being especially aggressive for no reason. For instance, if an adult lionhead is adopted, it can happen that it is suffering from post-traumatic-stress due to poor or even cruel maintenance from its previous owners.

In that case, a rabbit can show signs of aggression from the very first day of adoption, and it may take some time and effort for it to gain trust around new people.

Other times, especially when young, rabbits may seem aggressive when in fact they are not. Some bunnies get overly excited when seeing food and simply mistake human fingers for a meal.

The reasons which bring lionhead rabbits to bite can be various, so it is important for owners to understand which are they exactly to start successfully working on them.

How to Prevent Lionhead Rabbits Biting You?

The best prevention is to understand why your rabbit wants to bite you in the first place. If it is nipping your fingers, try to briefly shout, so it can understand this is hurting you.

Another good solution can be showing your rabbit who is the main mammal of the house. Place your hand on your rabbit’s head and gently push it down to show hierocracy. Always avoid making sudden moves so you do not startle your pet.

Additionally, it is highly recommendable to get every pet rabbit neutered or spayed, to avoid hormonal changes and territorial aggression.

Furthermore, make sure your pet has all the necessary requirements available- from fresh food and water to spacious enclosures and exercise areas, but also daily company and a peaceful environment.

Adding to that, it is crucially important to bond with your pet and show enough affection. With them being such timid little creatures, it is essential to make them feel super-safe around you and not having to ask for your attention.

If you are a busy person who has a tight schedule, adopting a second bunny may be a wonderful idea. That way, both of your pets will keep company to each other while you are away.

What to do if Your Rabbit Bites You?

If your rabbit bites you, you will certainly feel some pain. So, feel free to let out a brief pain shout. This will make your rabbit understand that such behavior hurts. After that, you may want to “punish” it by asking your rabbit to retire into its enclosure for a while, where it can calm down.

However angry you may feel in that moment, please never hurt your pet. Not only it is cruel but it will cause additional stress and fear. Your bite wound can be treated with a simple rinse under tap water and some disinfectant.

Does Lionhead Rabbit Bite Hurt?

One could say that such a small animal cannot hurt a strong human adult, but the fact is that rabbit bite does hurt pretty much. Indeed, rabbits have strong jaws and teeth which can often make smaller predators run away.

However, their long teeth will make a deep but clean cut, so it is unlikely the wound will get infected. A rabbit will certainly draw some blood but there is no big danger of getting a disease.

On the other side, when a rabbit bites you without feeling aggressive, it still hurts a little but there is no skin penetration. Nipping comes more as a warning or sometimes even as a grooming attempt.

Do You Need a Tetanus Shot for a Rabbit Bite?

Whenever you happen to cut yourself or get any kind of open wound, there is a risk of getting tetanus if not previously vaccinated. Same goes for rabbit bites, or even scratches.

Tetanus is not transferred by animals only, but by everywhere-present dirt or soil or basically any possible surface. Therefore, it is good to be sure that you are getting your boosters every 10 years.

Do Lionhead Rabbits Bite Each Other?

Although this breed is really not aggressive, two lionheads can bite each other. This happens often when people bring home a second rabbit after already owning the first rabbit for a while. Such instinct is completely natural and normal.

That is why monitored bonding is a must. Alternatively, some rabbits can nip each other. It may look as they were biting but in reality, they are just performing some grooming.

If you own two rabbits or even more, please make sure to always monitor your pets during the first few weeks of their life together. Persistent aggressive biting is something that needs to be stopped.

Wrapping Up

Lionhead bunnies are one of the cutest pets one can ever live with. However, once they grow up, they may start biting their owners from time to time. When this happens, it is necessary to understand why and only then to react.

There can be several reasons hiding behind nipping or real aggressive biting, but rabbits will never ever do that because they stopped loving you. They are still the timid and sensitive little pets, which simply need a bit more effort from their humans.