The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
LEADERS: Beka27 BinkyBunny Elrohwen KokaneeandKahlua LittlePuffyTail Peppypoo RabbitPam Sarita
Georgie's 11.5-year-old bondmate passed away last spring. She's lonely, and we've tried three rescued rabbits as possible new companions. She adored the first bun, but he bit her whenever she'd come near. The second bun wanted to mount her constantly. Eventually she wouldn't put up with it, and fighting ensued. Our latest try is a little guy named Mr. Nibbles, who seems more promising. Georgie has full run of the house 24/7, so there's no neutral territory. The first two buns were baby-gated into one room, but Mr. Nibbles is in a dog crate with a loft, because he wasn't litter trained. Georgie and Nibs can meet through the bars, and he nibbles and licks the fur on her face. When he got to about 4 weeks post neuter, we tried dates in the basement, the bathroom, and the car. They're both terrified of the car, but in the other two places all he wants to do is mount her. She tries to run away and acts very upset, but she hasn't tried to bite or mount him. I don't want to let this escalate into fighting. What can I do to cut down on the mounting and chasing?
Georgie is 5 or 6 years old and was spayed before we adopted her in 2007. She was the dominant bun with her former bondmate, Max. They took to each other immediately. Max was just happy to have another girl after his 9-year-old bondmate died.
Mr. Nibbles is supposedly 4 years old.
Sue
For my bunnies I just let them work it out, definitely stop one of them if they try to mount the face. Totoro (male) stopped humping within 2 bonding sessions, Wilbur (female) will still do it . It may never stop completely, like with my pair, but it should be very minimal. I just pull Wilbur off if I ever see it because she only really does it when they're anticipating food.
P.S. Sadly, Georgie is now ignoring Nibs while he's in his cage. During the pred-date two weeks that Nibs was here, Georgie used to spend time next to his cage asking for face licks, grooming herself, and lying near him. Now she seldom goes into the living room (his room) even to hang with us.
Thanks for the laundry basket idea. Shortly they will get a long car ride together. They have vet appointments today, so I might as well make the car ride a date. They're both nervous in a moving car.