Need help ASAP!

[nijinoarashi]

Hi everyone!

I have two bunnies. A neutered 2 year old and a neutered 9 month old. Both are males. I first bonded them when I only had my 2 year old neutered and it went along fine, but the younger one became more “territorial” because of hormones as he grew so I got him neutered too and they had to live separately for a while. I did the bonding process again and it also went fine… for a while. The younger bunny would attack the older one so, I separated them for a while. I use an NIC cage so I put the older bunny in the 2nd tier and the younger bunny in the 1st. I had the 2nd tier blocked from the first with even more grids. I would also let them out separately, but every time I would wake up in the morning, I’ll always find the younger bunny in the other’s tier, loafing together and no tuffs of hair so I thought they were fine again and decided to let them live together again. Unfortunately, the younger one has started to attack the older one again!

An example would be the older one would just be digging the fleece in their cage and the younger one out of nowhere charges at him! He’s also started to chin everything from their shared litter boxes to the binder clips I use on their cage and even my slippers. Also territorial droppings which he’s always done, but never this much. He drops twice the amount he did before he got neutered. They’re both litter box trained by the way.

Personality wise the bunnies are black and white. The older one is very laid back. He loves to eat, sleep, and get A LOT of pets. The younger one is very very outgoing. He loves to run around, explore, and he hates to get pets. The only time he lets me pet him is when they’re loafing side by side where I can pet them at the same time.

This has been a 6 month bonding process and I don’t know how much longer I can live with it. They’re only allowed in my room so I only have space for one 2 by 6 NIC cage with two tiers and splitting it in two would be too small for one rabbit to live in for their whole lives. I do let them out to roam everywhere in my room when I am at home, but even my room is not that big. I’ve tried everything in the book to rekindle their bond (car rides, washing machine, neutral territory, etc), but they never get to that 100% bond. They will be fine for a while, but it always ends with the younger one attacking the older. Is this simply a mismatch?

Right now, the only option I can see is to give one away. So, I really need help and advice!!

[Sindri]

I had a horrid time bonding my two so I can understand your frustration. They should call me The Stresser because its what helped me get my 2 together finally. I would stress bond if I were you, say like a car ride or something but do it off and on during the day for a few days and see if that helps. I had a box I would put mine in then I would walk them around outside when the weather was good. That really worked well. Stress bonding periodically thoughout the day is the only thing that worked for me. It definitely sealed the bond. When you do stress bond it doesn’t have to be for a long period of time. I don’t think it is a mismatch my male and female sound a lot like your 2. My male loves to be petted and is very friendly towards me. My female loves to run around and play and do her bunny thing and will let me pet her from to time.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope my advice can help and maybe someone else can chime I that has great advice. I really hate to hear you might have to give one of your rabbits away.

[nijinoarashi]

Thank you so much for replying! I tried it today, but it didn’t work. My younger bunny’s attitude seems to be getting worse. The older one was jumping to the second tier when the other bit him midair and he fell on his back! It was really horrifying to see! ;( I have them separated right now. One in the cage and one running around my room.

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