Wet Weather Aggression in Rabbits

Hey there, Vortex Voyagers!

Dr. Irtwange here, your resident vet and storyteller, with a drizzly little mystery for this Wellness Wednesday:

Have you ever noticed your usually sweet bunny become a grumpy gremlin when it rains?

You’re not imagining things. Let’s hop into the world of rabbit moods, weather shifts and what’s really behind those sudden tantrums.

What Is Wet Weather Aggression in Rabbits?

Wet weather aggression refers to sudden changes in rabbit behaviour - usually increased irritability, defensiveness, or outright aggression, during periods of rainfall, high humidity or damp conditions.

Your sweet, docile fluffball might:

Growl, grunt or lunge at you
Bite or nip unexpectedly
Stomp their feet repeatedly
Refuse handling or grooming

This isn’t just moodiness. It signals discomfort, stress or confusion triggered by environmental changes.

It’s like your polite English gentleman bunny suddenly turns into a soggy barbarian.

How Does It Happen?

Here’s what goes on:

Barometric Pressure Drops - Ever felt a headache coming on just before it rains? Rabbits can relate. Drops in barometric pressure mess with their inner ear balance and can even cause mild headaches or a general sense of “bleh,” making them cranky and more prone to lashing out.
Humidity Stress - Humidity is a nightmare for rabbits. Their dense fur traps moisture against their skin, making them itchy, irritable, and prone to overgrooming or biting themselves. Plus, since bunnies cool off mainly through their ears and breathing, damp air makes heat dissipation inefficient. Imagine wearing a soggy wool sweater indoors - yep, that’s how they feel.
Territory Anxiety - Rain doesn’t just wash the streets; it alters all the smells your rabbit uses to map their world. The damp scents can make your bunny feel like their territory has been invaded by strange, muddy intruders. Result? Defensive or aggressive behaviour to “protect” their space.
Reduced Outdoor Time - If your rabbit usually enjoys patio adventures or garden zoomies, wet weather can keep them cooped up. The lack of physical movement and mental enrichment often turns into cage frustration - cue the grumpy mood and sudden lunges.
Noise & Vibrations - Heavy rain pounding on the roof, rolling thunder or even dripping water can frighten rabbits, especially if they’re naturally nervous. Fear-based aggression kicks in when they feel there’s danger they can’t escape.

Why Does It Happen?

1. Physical Discomfort - Feeling Like a Soggy Mop

Rabbits are designed for dry burrows, not damp hutches. When their fur gets wet from humidity or water-leaks, it clings to their skin, making them feel clammy and gross. This constant skin discomfort makes them irritable and more likely to snap at anything that comes close, including you. Imagine wearing a soaked fur coat indoors while being unable to leave the room and someone pokes you in the ribs. You’d snap too.

Fun Fact: Unlike dogs, rabbit fur takes ages to fully dry out, trapping moisture against their sensitive skin and risking fungal infections or skin irritation.

2. Hormonal or Behavioural Stress - The Stormy Hormone Surge

Intact males (unneutered bucks) and territorial females are especially prone to aggression under stress. Why? Because hormones amplify everything. That damp discomfort, those strange rainy smells and noisy thunderclaps can combine into an emotional cocktail that triggers defensive or dominance behaviours.

For males, it’s like “This is MY space. Back off!”

For territorial females, it’s “My nest and kingdom are under threat. I must protect it… with teeth.”

Even neutered rabbits may show milder versions of these behaviours if their environment feels unsafe or stressful.

3. Environmental Changes - Nerve-Rattling Nature

Rain isn’t just water falling from the sky. It’s:

The constant drumming on the roof
Sudden flashes of lightning
Low rumbles or ear-splitting thunder

Rabbits have incredibly sensitive hearing and vibration perception (remember, they’re prey animals). Loud or sudden noises feel like looming danger they can’t understand or escape. This sends their stress levels skyrocketing and fear often transforms into aggression when they feel cornered.

Imagine: If you’re stuck indoors during a storm with no way to plug your ears, no explanation of what thunder is and no safe burrow to hide in, you’d be on edge too.

That’s the trio of trouble behind wet weather aggression in rabbits

Story Time - Dr. Irtwange’s Bunny Tantrum Tale

I’ll never forget fluffy Cocoa, a lionhead rabbit I cared for. On sunny days, Cocoa would flop over for belly rubs like a miniature dog. But the moment clouds gathered, he’d stomp, grunt and snap at fingers daring to enter his pen.

His owner called me one rainy morning, panicking:

“He’s attacking the broom! He tried to bite my toe through my slipper!”

When I visited, the mystery unravelled quickly. Cocoa’s cage sat right beside an open window. The humid winds were blowing directly into his pen, making everything slightly damp and chilly. His bedding felt clammy, his feet were cold and even though his fur looked dry on the outside, it was damp underneath - irritating his skin like a wet sweater.

To make matters worse, the musty smell rising from his litter tray was mixing with the damp air, turning Cocoa’s cosy corner into a swamp-scented stress zone. And let’s be honest, none of us are our best selves when we feel wet, cold and surrounded by bad smells.

Here’s what we did:

Shifted his pen away from the drafty window
Replaced his bedding with fresh, thick absorbent hay
Gave him extra chew toys and a cardboard box hideout to beat the rainy blues

Within hours, Cocoa calmed down, resuming his proud bunny loaf pose, glaring at the broom with royal disdain instead of murderous intent.

What Can Pet Parents Do?

1. Keep Their Environment Dry & Warm

Move cages away from windows or damp walls.
Elevate hutches off ground level
Ensure roofing is fully waterproof and there are no leaks.
Provide a thick dry mat or extra hay bedding (avoid cedar/pine shavings - they irritate respiratory systems).

2. Reduce Boredom

Offer chew toys, treat balls, tunnels and cardboard boxes - boredom breakers on rainy days.
Rotate toys daily to prevent boredom.

3. Maintain Routine

Stick to feeding and cleaning schedules despite weather changes.

4. Maintain a Calm Atmosphere

Play soft music to mask thunder sounds.
Avoid sudden loud noises or unfamiliar scents near their hutch.

5. Check Their Coat & Feet

Gently feel for damp areas near the skin.
Dry damp fur gently, but seek vet care if skin irritation is present.
Check for early signs of skin irritation or sore hocks.

6. Observe Behaviour Patterns

Note whether aggression occurs only during rain or persists in dry weather too.

7. Monitor for Underlying Illness

If aggression is severe or persists beyond wet days, consult your vet to rule out pain or infection.

What Will Your Vet Do?

So, your bunny has turned into a little storm gremlin every time it rains. What’s the vet’s role in calming the thunder within?

Here’s what to expect at your rabbit’s consultation:

1. Full Physical Exam

Your vet will give your rabbit a nose-to-tail check to rule out any hidden problems. They’ll look for:

Skin infections - Moist dermatitis or fungal issues hiding under dense fur
Pododermatitis (sore hocks) –-Wet bedding can inflame their delicate feet
Dental pain - Overgrown teeth or dental spurs can worsen irritability, especially if they’re not eating well

2. Diagnostics if Needed

If there are suspicious skin lesions or patchy fur, your vet might run:

Skin scrapes to check for mites or parasites
Fungal cultures if ringworm or yeast infections are suspected

These tests help pinpoint what’s causing the itchiness and discomfort behind your bunny’s sudden tantrums.

3. Medical Treatment

Depending on what’s found, your vet may prescribe:

Antibiotics or antifungals for bacterial or fungal infections
Pain relief if arthritis is flaring up from cold, damp conditions
Anti-parasitics if mites or fleas are the culprits

4. Check Hormonal Triggers

If your rabbit is intact (not neutered or spayed), hormonal surges may be fuelling their aggression. Your vet will assess whether neutering could reduce territorial or sexual frustration behaviours.

5. Behavioural Management & Advice

Your vet isn’t just there to hand out meds, they’ll guide you on:

Environmental management - Dry bedding, draft-free housing and warmth

Dietary enrichment - To keep their gut happy and their mind occupied

Stress reduction strategies - Hideouts, chew toys, calming herbs or pheromone diffusers

Training or desensitisation - Gradual exposure to rain sounds if fear-based aggression is an issue

Prognosis

Here’s the good news:

With proper care, wet weather aggression is usually temporary. Adjusting their environment and treating any underlying medical issues will have your bunny back to loafing peacefully in no time.

But here’s the caution:

Ignoring these stormy tantrums can lead to chronic behavioural issues, biting habits or stress-induced health problems over time.

Bottom Line:

Prompt vet assessment + environmental tweaks = a calm, comfy, happy bunny… rain or shine.

Prevention

Keep enclosures dry, raised off damp ground.
Use waterproof covers for outdoor hutches.
Provide constant access to dry hiding spaces.
Ensure good ventilation without drafts.
Regular Grooming, especially for long-haired breeds prone to damp undercoats.

Zoonotic Implications

While rabbit aggression itself isn’t zoonotic, scratches or bites can lead to bacterial infections (Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus) in humans. Always wash wounds and seek medical advice and care if bitten deeply. Especially if redness or swelling develops.

Final Bunny Thoughts

Have you noticed your bunny getting cranky when it rains? Or have they turned into thunder warriors ready to battle the mop?

Share your rabbit’s rainy day tantrum stories in the comments below or tag us @TheVetVortex with your soggy bunny tales!

Until next time, keep those paws dry, spirits high and stay vortexy.

- Dr. Irtwange, signing off with a hop, a shake and a mug of steaming hibiscus tea.

Check out previous post - AI Diagnostic Tools for Skin Conditions in Pets

Wet Weather Aggression in Rabbits - What’s the Cause