It’s completely normal to have the occasional disagreement in any household or relationship, but when these can’t be resolved or escalate into a full-blown domestic it’s a problem. The same goes for your pets and their relationships with each other. There can be many reasons why your rabbits might not be getting on. Their relationship can be influenced by their age, sex, neutering, and other stresses or changes in a household.
I have owned rescue rabbits for 9 years and successfully bonded four pairs during that time. Each bonding process has been different, ranging from 1 week to 6 months. I currently have a 9 year old neutered male and a 1 year old female (due to be spayed) who live very happily together after a long and slightly stressful (for me!) bonding process.
As in life, every ‘dating’ experience is different, not all will result in a successful long-term relationship! Some are ‘love at first sight’ and some take longer. Thankfully, most rabbits will stay happily committed once bonded, although the relationship can still be tested or break down.
Wouldn’t it be easier if they just lived on their own?
Well, it might be easier for us because we could avoid going through the bonding process – however it wouldn’t be best for our rabbits. They are very social animals and where possible should be kept in bonded pairs or groups. However, they can also be very territorial and introductions must be done slowly and with care to avoid fighting. There are lots of positives to keeping them with buddies: benefitting their welfare by lowering stress levels, assisting with grooming, providing entertainment and companionship. It’s lovely to see a bonded rabbits happily living together. I’ve personally always found my rabbits are cleaner when bonded as they seem to take more note of litter training!
Are there any factors to consider when trying to match make rabbits?
Sex of the rabbits
The ‘easiest’ pairing is often a neutered male and neutered female. That doesn’t mean to say that you can never have an all-male or all-female pair or group living happily together. I always recommend neutering both sexes of rabbits for health and behavioural reasons but it is particularly important when bonding rabbits/housing them together.
Age:
Rabbits of any age can be bonded with each other. It might be worth considering your rabbit’s activity levels and any health conditions. For instance, bonding an older arthritic bunny with a young active one that bounces all over it might not be ideal. However each pair/group is different.
Do take into account the fact that rabbits reach sexual maturity around 4-6 months of age and hormones can change in their behaviour and cause issues in relationships (as in all areas of life – think grumpy teenagers!). You may find that a pair who originally got along as youngsters start to squabble as they reach a few months of age and this might be why. It’s sensible to have them neutered as soon as they’re old enough and before this happens (4-6 months depending on your vet). Once an argument has happened the damage may be done and it might not be possible to bond them again. However you can slowly and carefully introduce them again once they’re both healed post-surgery. During the recovery period they can be housed next to each other so that they can still see and smell each other but not cause any injury.
Similar size or breeds?
Rabbits of any size and breed can be bonded happily together. Obviously a larger, dominant rabbit has more chance of causing injury to a smaller rabbit in an argument… But we’re aiming to avoid any arguments at all and a small rabbit is just as capable of causing injury as a larger one.
How do I introduce a new rabbit?
This should always be done carefully, slowly and on neutral territory. Many rescue centres will offer a bonding service or insist on ‘speed dating’ for your bunny to try and help find a suitable match. If you are looking for a new rabbit I would always recommend considering this route. If you’re planning on bonding them yourselves then make sure you do your research first.
What do I do if there is a fight?
It’s really important to try and avoid this, however, occasionally fights can break out during the bonding process. Do NOT put your hands into a fight; I know that sounds basic but in the heat of the moment it’s easy to just ‘jump-in’ and try to break it up. However, if you get bitten I can guarantee it won’t improve any relationships! Be prepared – a dustpan used appropriately is a good prop, it can be gently placed between the rabbits and used to break up a scuffle so that they can then be safely separated. It is also always useful to have an extra pair of hands on stand-by to help referee. If a fight does break out, always check both rabbits over thoroughly and seek veterinary advice for any injuries.
My rabbits were bonded but have recently started fighting, why?
Have there been any changes in the home or between the rabbits? These could be:
- Environmental (things around the rabbit): changes in the housing, new animals/people in the house, recent trips to the vet, a change in cleaning spray/litter, squabbles over a new food or toy.
- Physiological (the rabbit itself): such as reaching sexual maturity or not feeling themselves (being ill).
If you’re worried that your rabbit might not be acting themselves then I recommend getting them checked by a vet. Pain or other issues can affect the way they behave. Just like us, if we’re feeling poorly we can get a bit grouchy with those around us.
What can we do to help:
- Once your rabbits are bonded and getting on well, try not to separate them. If one has to go to the vets please take both, they will offer support to each other. It will reduce the chance of an argument breaking out when they’re re-introduced again!
- Neutering: If your rabbits aren’t already neutered then I’d recommend speaking to your vet about booking them in for surgery. this may not only benefit their behaviour but will also reduce their risk of certain cancers or other health issues.
- Housing: make sure there are no areas in your housing that rabbits can become cornered. All hiding areas/boxes should have an entrance and a separate exit.
- Food: ensure there’s never any competition over food. Scatter feed (spread it out) so that it’s not all in a bowl for one rabbit and offer multiple hay stations.
Unfortunately, in some cases rabbits will not bond. It is safer for them to be separated from one another and consider bonding with a different rabbit.
Discussion
I have a 2 year old neutered not I’ve been trying to bond with two spayed 3 year old female sisters. One is dominant and we have many scuffles in between ok sniffing and running away. Every now and again it’s proper fighting – hair everywhere. They are hurry though and we split them up once that happens. The other girl is fine, runs away, sniffs etc but no scuffles / fights.
The girls live in a pen (all house rabbits) and have a run outside. The boy sleeps very close to the pen and all 3 so binkies, roll over etc.
They can eat together outside the pen in the evening. They sometimes sit near each other relaxed or exh end of the room.
The boy is a bit dead and spooks easily.
It’s been nearly 2 months now. I’ve bonded rabbits before (pairs not trios) wlich have usually been successful by a week. I don’t want the girls to live permanently in the pen. I.know I should be patient but when they’re so lovely togethwr with the pen in between them or makes me sad they can’t be friends outside.
It does sound like getting them to bond is going to be hard work – I’m not clear from your post if the buck is neutered or not?
I have two bonded mini lops house rabbits that I was told were both boys when I got them. I was due to get them neutered but have just found out one of them is female as she has just had babies (sadly none survives). I’m trying to get the earliest appointment I can at the vets to get them neutered but wonder what I should do regarding separating them in the meantime without them losing their bond. I’ve got them in the same room separated by a cage so they can still see and smell each other. However the male is not happy, thumping the floor and going up and down the side of the cage, gnawing the bars. He seems to settle if I sit with them but I can’t do this indefinitely pending getting them in at the vets. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Many thanks.
That’s not a fun situation to be in! Unfortunately, the best you can di is what you’re doing: Keep them separated by wire or mesh, so they can see and smell and touch noses but not mate. The reason he’s frustrated is probably because she’s coming back into season, and he is physically prevented from mating her.
I have two male rabbits, Rex breed, littermates, 5 months old, both neutered at age 3 months. They’ve never been separated and have been best pals, sleeping and playing together and sharing a pen (4 ft. square). Suddenly four days ago they attacked each other viciously while having playtime outside of their pen. I divided their pen with hardware cloth and gave them separate litterboxes and food dishes. They seem okay when in their pen, seeing each other but unable to touch. I’ve been letting them have playtime individually. Tonight I let them out to play at the same time. Within seconds they were biting and clawing each other. I read to let them get reacquainted in a neutral space, an area that they haven’t claimed as their territory. I don’t have a neutral space; I live in a small house. Is there any hope for these brothers? One is bigger and dominant; maybe I will have to give him away? They were so cute and fun before this fighting started.
Give them time and take it REALLY slowly to begin with. Leave them apart for a while, then try rebonding them – there’s great instructions here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/bonding-rabbits/
But once a pair bond fails, it isn’t always possible to re-establish it – so good luck!
I have recently taken on two brothers both 11 weeks old who initially were getting on very happily in their previous home and never showed any aggression towards each other however they have been with me for 3 days and within the first day they started to scuffle. Separated them for 20 minutes and then went back together like nothing had happened and were cuddled together. The following day a big fight broke out to which we have had to separate them as one did get slightly injured and was very scared. We then let them back out together the next day (not left unattended) and they would both take turns to have a stare off and then proceed to cause a fight to which we used a dustpan to intervene. They have both since been fully separated and will be consulting the vet to see when they can get neutered.
My question is whether this is solely down to hormones and they changed drastically within 24 hours or whether they are trying to work out who is more dominant now they are not with mum and in a new environment. I do not want to put them in a position where they will get hurt but equally do not want to ruin the relationship they initially had and risk them not re-bonding in the future after being neutered. I have been speaking to the breeder who has offered to take one back so that we can get the other neutered and then try and bond him with a spayed female but I have no idea what to do for the best.
Any help would be very appreciated. Many thanks
This is really hard – rabbit society is complex and often violent, but they don’t give us outsiders much to go on!
You don’t say how old they are; however, if they are both adolescent, then rising testosterone, plus a change in physical environment, plus a change in social environment (being away from the mother) is a perfect storm of destabilising factors. I would definitely get them both neutered; your options then are to try to rebond one with a female, or wait and see if they will get on better once neutered (although remember it can take several weeks for testosterone levels to drop post-castration). In general, it’s usually easier to rebond rabbits who already have made a pair bond: but not always, especially with 2 males. So I’m afraid I think it’s pretty much 50/50 and pick ’em right now… Definitely start with neutering and then see what happens in the days afterwards is my best advice – try to stay flexible and respond to what’s happening!
I have a male rabbit (2 years) and another male rabbit (1 1/2 years). They have both been neutered several months ago and have been bonded for over a year now but the rabbit I had first often chases the younger one. (I got them both as babies) He seems to be getting more and more aggressive actually pursuing the chase and biting him. The other one doesn’t fight back, only runs away. They will be good and a few moments later, he is chasing the other. Why is the older one becoming so much more aggressive. He haven’t had any huge changes in their living environment.
It’s very hard to say, and it’s always a bit of a mystery when an existing pairing breaks down. I’d say the first thing to do is get them both checked over by your vet in case there’s any underlying medical issues – low grade pain is probably the most common trigger for unpairing like this.
I have a female aged around 3 and a name aged 1ish. Both rescues. My female was always territorial and myssed her last bonded massively, so we took another rescue. He’s been with us over a year. They have a large shed and hutches side by side. Attempts to bond have gone well but short lived. Three times now they have appeared bonded, been sharing space, grooming, and enjoyed the open garden together. However after a week they have had a fight, I’ve gone in their space to find them in separate corners and fur all over, mostly from my female bun by the looks of her fur. Should I give up and keep them together but apart? It’s heartbreaking each time and having seen the fights before, really scary and traumatic for them and me.
It’s really hard to know what to do for the best in that situation… I’m assuming they’re both neutered, but it might be worth contacting the rescue and seeing if they do a “bunny swap” option, for when things just don’t work out?
We recently rescued a rabbit from a neighbor and have tried to bond her with another rescue rabbit which was unsuccessful because he kept biting her (they are in a neutral and separated area). Now we got a new rabbit on advice of our local shelter and suddenly our rabbit is the aggressive one, tries to get through the fence and bite him. She’s about 2-3 years old, the new one is only 6 months old. We don’t know if she’s spayed but he got neutered a few weeks ago. I am very lost and don’t know what to do. Will they ever get along?
It’s very hard to know – but if she’s not spayed, then this is quite likely to be at least part of the problem! I’d strongly advise getting her neutered and take it from there.
I’ve enjoyed reading your responses to other comments and hoping you could help with my problem! I have three female bunnies. They are all small. One I have had for 12 years, she is a sweetheart and gets along with both the other bunnies. My problem is that the two others seem to hate each other. One is about a year old and the other is 4 months. I’ve considered switching the younger bunnies in and out with my older bunny so they can get used to each other’s scents, though they are all in the same room and see each other daily. I have taken the one year old who is more aggressive and put her in a different cage by herself but the baby always comes over and wants to see her.
The two times I have tried to introduce the young bunnies they have fully gone into fighting mode on the floor, biting and pulling fur and tussling. I have considered rehoming the one year old because she is so stressful but I would feel bad, this is her second home already.
I hope this wasn’t too confusing to follow along, and hope you can help/offer some advice! Thank you so much.
Are they all neutered? If not, that’s your first thing to look at! In the summer, rabbit hormone levels often spike (even if unneutered), resulting in violence like this.
I think the slowly-slowly approach is best, and patience is the only real option, giving them plenty of time to get used to each other. However, sometimes that just won’t happen – in which case rehoming is the least-bad option.
Good luck with them!
We have a brother & sister who have lived in harmony together for 4 years. The male was recently poorly & had an operation to remove calcium stones from his bladder. Since his return his sister has started attacking him. Keeping them apart unless supervised but still in same room.
How can we fix it please?!
You’ll probably have to reintroduce them again: separate but within sight and smell but unable to touch, then gradual supervised reintroduction. Good luck!
I have two giant lop sisters, they are 1 years old they love each other one min then are mounting each other and pulling each other’s fur out. My garden is covered in fur. What do I do? 🙁
Probably the best thing would be to get them both neutered! That will usually settle down these issues.w
I need help! I have 2 sister from the same litter, 8 months old. They were neutered 10 weeks ago. We left them to recover for 3 weeks able to see and smell each other always. They seemed fine – but then had massive fight. so we separated them again and over the last 4 weeks have slowly been re introducing them, starting in bath tub and moving on to slightly larger areas when all seemed ok. We were delighted on Wednesday when they were totally bonded with each other and together in the run (with boxes, food, toys & treats) for just short of 48 hours. However last night they had another massive fight…… So we separated them again over night and today put them together under supervision. they are again grooming, feeding and sleeping next to each other. But how do I know when they have truly stopped fighting? We though 48 hours of zero aggressive behaviour was proof they were re bonded.
It’s always a problem – because we don’t know what’s going on inside their heads and what set off the argument!
It sounds like you’re doing everything by the book, so I’d be inclined to try again for a third time lucky.
Another option, and definitely one to explore if that doesn’t work, is to talk to a clinical animal behaviourist and try and work out what’s triggering these bust-ups.
Good luck!
I have 2 bonded spade female sisters that I’ve had since I don’t know about 6 or 8 weeks. There now now a year and 3 months old they’ve always gotten along great but yesterday I took them both to a vet appointment, yes I took them together but I had them in separate carriers harriers as they don’t really fit in one together. I came home and everything was fine but That next morning the ones started attacking the other. Now it now it seems like the attacker now just wants to be friends and cuddle again but the other one is so scared that she keeps running perit’s running. I know that there shouldn’t be any issues as far as health concerns go because we literally just went to the vet yesterday. Any advice that you have for me? Could they both just be stressed from the vet visit and there may be acting up because of it? They’ve always been the most beautiful pair and I’m mortified to think that I may have to separate them forever.
It’s most likely as you say, that they’ve been stressed out by the vet visit. Hopefully over the next few days they’ll settle down and remember that they do really get along! If not, I’d suggest separating them with a mesh, so they can see and smell each other, and then cautiously reintroduce in a few days time. Good luck!
I have two bunnies Bonnie and Penelope they are bonded sisters I got them from a pet store I was told they were sisters and fixed ( not sure if any of it is true🙄) they started fighting about a couple months ago I didn’t know what to do so I separated them for a couple days. They are always good everyday but every now and then during the day Penelope tried to hump Bonnie and then Bonnie gets mad and chased after Penelope and then they start fighting and it’s gotten bad before where I found scabs! I’m lost I don’t know what to do should I find them separate homes? Can they no longer be together any more??? I no longer know what to do they know have been fighting and laying next to each other on and off for two days!
This does suggest that they are entire, although on occasions even neutered does can fight. I would first of all get a vet check to see if there are any underlying medical problems that could have triggered this; and then try the separate and reintroduce approach. Good luck!
I have two male bunnies who are brothers. They were bonded when I adopted them at 10 weeks old but then the hormones started and they started mounting each other for a few weeks then it turned into bad fighting. I separated their pen so they weren’t together but could still smell and see each other. I got them neutered 6 weeks ago at 5 months old and have tried a few times reintroducing them but they started fighting immediately. I’m thinking of doing the car ride trick and then trying again with the water bottle to break up fighting instead of just separating them again right away after fighting. Any other advice? They were so sweet with each other when they were babies and I really want them to be best friends again.
Give it a try, it sounds like you’re doing everything right. It might be worth getting a vet check to make sure there’s no underlying medical issues that might be triggering this, although it seems unlikely.
At the end of the day, unfortunately, not all rabbits can rebond once that relationship has broken down – so you might need to consider rehoming one and getting a new friend. Hopefully, though, it’s just going to take a bit longer! Make sure they have LOTS of time within smell and sound of each other, to get used to the other again is the best extra advice I can give!
HelIo,
I have a pair of bonded Holland lop sisters. They are about a year and a half now and are both spayed. One of them just went through a scary bout of what I (and vet) assume was GI Stasis. I brought her to the Vet without her sister 😓 because I didn’t know any better. But since we returned they have been fighting terribly. I now have their room split in half with a gate. They can see and smell each other through it. I’ve tried several times to reintroduce them after seeing them laying side by side up against the gate. However the one who was sick always goes after the other. I feel terrible because her sister is very depressed about this and doesn’t seem to understand why her sister is acting this way. What should I try next? I can’t keep them separated forever. It’s been incredibly stressful especially because one has started marking her territory outside of her litter.
This sometimes happens after a bonded pair are separated. You’re doing everything right: gradual reintroduction and staying in sight and smell. One thing to consider might be to talk to your vet and get them both checked over in case there’s some medical issue causing stress and exacerbating the situation.
If all else fails, it may be necessary to consider splitting them and trying to re-pair them with other rabbits, but that is a last resort.
We have 2 bunnies. Pancake and Stanley. They are bonded bunnies and are always showing signs of affection toward each other. In the winter, when we were letting them into their outdoor space less because of the harsh weather conditions where we live, I came into their inside run to discover that pancake had an injured eye, fur littered the floor and they were fighting. We eventually resolved that issue and figured that it must have been because we were letting them outside less. And now, they are fighting again. At least we assume so. pancake has a chunk out of his ear, which mortified us, but we cleaned it up. Stanley seems shaken because he did not seem to care when ants were crawling on his back outside. There is fur everywhere. We are so worried because we do not want to go down the fighting road again. What should we do?
I’d say it might be worth getting them both checked by the vet in case there’s some underlying health issue that is triggering this. If they’re entire, then neutering might be a good call too. Otherwise, it’s a matter of keeping them within sight and smell, and gradually reintroducing them again.
Hi, I have 2 female netherland dwarf rabbits that are 1 year old. the first 8 weeks were bliss and a few days before the surgery, they stared fighting. i separated them and after the surgery, they seemed fine for the net 4 weeks. they started heavily fighting again and i had to separate again. we started the first bonding process which took a month and then they were back in their free roam room with space being gradually increased over time. everything had been cleaned of the smell so there was not territorial areas. in january i had to separate them again due to the fighting and i could not find time to re bond them until middle of february. i spent a week in a neutral area with them and there was no fighting, they groomed each other and seemed just happy – like they were before. i cleaned the space with vinegar again to get rid of the smell and started them in a small portion of the room. each week they would get more space until they now have half of the room. they have just started fighting again. i am at a loss of what to do as they have had multiple vet visits to check them for any other conditions and they are clear. any help would be greatly appreciated.
It might just be that they don’t get on. It’s unusual, but it does happen – some rescues will do a “trade in” scheme for bunnies where they can’t be bonded, it might be worth looking at?
We have a 6 yr old neutered kale who recently (in February) lost his bondmate. We’ve introduced him to a new spayed 1 yr old female and they hit it off beautifully very quickly. They were together in the same enclosure for 8+ hours and recently have started fighting out of the blue. She seems to scratch his back with her front legs which annoys him and starts a fight. She seems to just mean to groom him but what should we do? It’s very frustrating that they get along so well and then have these tiffs. She also has plucked out every whisker of his 🙁 any advice would be helpful! Thank you!
Best option is probably to go back a step so they can smell but not reach each other, then gradually reintroduce… However, some bunnies just don’t get on together. Good luck!
Hi there. I recently brought two rabbits who are female sisters. We had them for two days in a temp inside cage before moving them into a big 6ft two story hutch. Day 1 was okay day 2 was okay. Day 3 one of the rabbits badly attacked the other, we had to take the rabbit to the vets to get stitches and medicine. I don’t know why this happened maybe a change of homes? They are only 11 weeks old. I’ve separated them untill the injured one is healed as the injury’s were bad. Pets at home or the vet didn’t give me advice on when too re introduce them or if I should keep them cage to cage so they can see/smell eachother but still be apart! Any advice would be great please.
Definitely within sight and smell, but not together if they’re fighting. The move might well have ben the trigger; this is common with entire female rabbits kept together – although it can happen, it;’s much rarer with neutered females. Have you considered neutering them both once the first one’s wounds have healed?
I have couple rabbit. They both are one year and I purchased them last mnth and today suddenly they fight and bite each other, plough the each other hairs badly and I separated both and after one hr they meet they again starts fight and plough each other hairs badly.. I feel scared to see fighting of both.
If it’s changed suddenly, I’d suggest a vet check of both of them – there might be an underlying health issue that’s causing a change in their relationship.
Hello,
I have 2 castrated rabbits, they’ve lived together since March last year and they’re recently started fighting and blood has been drawn. What do I do? As they each have the run of the whole garden and it’s hard to separate them outside!
If it’s changed suddenly, I’d suggest a vet check of both of them – there might be an underlying health issue that’s causing a change in their relationship.
my rabbits have been neutered but still have fights every 7 weeks what shall we do about it
If it’s that regular, is there some external trigger? I’d be suspicious that regular fights occurring an exact number of weeks apart suggest something external scaring or stressing them.
Hi..
I have to male rabbits and both are neutered. One is 4 years old and the other is 6 months. I just have the young one fixed 11 days ago
Before the surgery they were.bonded and best friends except 2 days before surgery there was a bunny brawl. My guess is the older one started humping the younger one and he doesn’t like that at all and he snapped and he’s a fighter. I separated them and didn’t put them together until yesterday and fighting started but the younger one initiates it but the older one isnt totally innocent. When i put them in a neutral space like the tub thw younger one submits but the older one is so focused on getting out of the tub. Please my ideas would help. My older one lost his other best friend back in april so we waited 5 months and got him a new friend but idk what to do now
The best thing is to gradually reintroduce them again, as if you were introducing them for the first time. Good luck!
Hi, we have a brother and sister rabbit who were bonded when we got them at about 2 months old. We separated them at about 4 months but they could still see and sniff each other through a fence. They were neutered at 4 months (boy) and 6 months (girl). When we reintroduced them they would fight in seconds. We’ve kept them apart and then gradually reintroduced them in the last few weeks (they’re now about 10 months old). It’s been going fine, but in the last couple of days there have been some minor spats. We’ve intervened quickly before it’s escalated but on the whole things are worse than a coupe of weeks ago. Any ideas, please? Thanks!
I’d be inclined to go back to seeing each other through the fence again, and then reintroduce. If it’s generally OK but you’re starting to get spats, then going back a step and starting again is usually the best option. If this repeatedly happens and doesn’t sort itself out, it might be time to consider trying to rehome one and get another friend…
Hi
I have 2 females aged 6 months old and they’re were babies and bonded when I got them. One of the rabbits constantly bullies the other and there have been many times they have been fighting with the slightly bigger one always attacking the smaller one. When they are the run the smaller one will not go near the bigger one and she appears scared and runs away as soon as the bigger one goes near her. The bigger one chases her when she good in her mouth and is a real bully 🙁 both have a condition where the sexual organs were not fully formed so neutering was unsuccessful as the bits were just not there. Should I separate them as it appears their bond has been broken and the bigger one chases the smaller around all the time in the cage and run 😩
I would strongly advise a vet check for underlying medical issues, and then yes, it might be necessary to separate them; or arrange referral to a specialist to look at their urogenital issues.
Hi
I have 2 male neutered rabbits, they are nearly a year and live together in a hutch with free access to the outdoor run. About one a month Scamp starts on simba chasing him, tufts of fur all over the hutch and run and then simba is very passive and hides, this time Simba has a big gash on his nose. The rest of the time they get on fine
What should I do to stop this? Is there bond now broken? They have been together since birth. Thanks
I’d say that it sounds like something’s happened to change their relationship. It might just be a tiff and they’ll be fine, but if it happens again, I’d start out getting a vet check for both to rule out medical issues first.
My 13week old rabbits bonded brilliantly until last night they started circling which turned quite aggressive. We split them up and have booked them in to be neutered.
They got on so well before, so I try and reconnect before being neutered or should I wait. Earliest appointment I could get was in a weeks time
Thanks, Laura x
It’s hard, but if you try to reconnect before neutering there is a chance that they will fight again – try reintroducing through a barrier first and see how they react.
I have two male brothers aged 12 weeks. They get on well. I have though found a chunk of fur and one has a scab. Both are happy and well. Im a little worried-
1. How do we stop this until neutering?
2. The cut has scabbed and he’s well but does he need to see a vet?
Rabbit skin is very, very fragile. So a small scab could cover a fairly major injury! I think a phone call (or, ideally, a video consult) with your vet is in order here!
I have a three year old female bunny and in Dec. we introduced a new female bunny. We followed all suggestions and introduced slowly and they became very close, the younger one bathing the other, no problems. She started mounting the older one at about 4-5 months but we had to wait until 6 months in order to have her spayed. She came back, and they both missed eachother so, the spayed one trying to get back with the other while she was recovering. So back together for about a month and then all of the sudden the little one starts to growl, lunge, and bite as well as chase the older one, who is bewildered and sad about it. This has gone on for two weeks. The older one is so sad and goes up to the gate between them and the little one scratches and get tufts of hair. The older one is now so scared and sad….I have left them alone separate to regroup. I have tried little connections but the older one is so skittish now and the young one lunges and growls when she gets close. I was so glad when they bonded and were friends but I am now worried that may not have lasted….ideas?
If there’s only one that’s spayed, then get the other one done ASAP, as that’s a common cause of problems like this.
Otherwise, it’s not uncommon sadly for same-sex rabbit pairs to fight when they reach sexual maturity, and neutering doesn’t always solve the issue. Try reintroducing them again as if it was the first time; but also get vet checks done to rule out other issues.
We have 2 female rabbits we got them at 8 weeks and they are sisters. They were together since day one and loved each other until hormones hit around 4 months and one started to mount the other and vicious fights broke out. We had them both spayed in May but it took months for them to get along. They were in separate cages next to each other and we switched their cages up so they could use the same litter box and stay familiar with each other’s scent. We waited 2 months to reintroduce them but they still fought. Every 2 weeks for 4 months we would try and let them be together and finally about 2 weeks ago the beginning of Oct they spent the whole day together and didn’t fight. It has been over a week and they are doing great. I was almost ready to give up and except they would never be friends again but thankfully we kept trying.
Well done!
Hi Nanette. My name’s Cindy. Auburn, MA? I’m in Taunton & researching same. It may be a bit of a ride for you, but you can call Hanson VCA in Hanson, MA. Dr. Thomas Finney is one of THE best in the area for Rabbitry; & the facility’s helped others turned down for Credit Care by providing reasonable payment plans. (Me😌) The staff is exceptional, as well the Vets. They ARE open for appointments. Hope this helps. 🐇Good Luck!
How can I get financial assistance for neutering in my area? I’m on waiting list for when/if SPCA program returns due to covid. I live in Auburn, Can and applied for care credit but was rejected.
So sorry, Nanette…just realized you’re in Canada. Wishing you & bunny well & good luck! 🐇
https://vcahospitals.com/hanson/team/thomas-finney