Bonded Mates Fighting

[cidkidd]

I have a bonded pair of rabbits (male and female) who are both altered and have been bonded for about 5 months. About a week ago they started fighting. They’re currently in separate cage, and I’ve been putting them in the tub together on “dates.” The dates generally go well, but they still can’t be in the same cage. I didn’t notice at first, but Diggle’s (the male) behavior has changed a lot. He refuses to groom Lyla, runs away when I try to pet him, thumps around Lyla, and even sprayed once (which he’s never done). He also lunges at me sometimes. I took him to the vet and was assured nothing physical is wrong with him. I’m scared that they are going to lose their bond permanently. Is there a reason he’s acting so hormonal? Any tips to fix their bond? Could this just be because it’s spring even though they’re fixed?

[LBJ10]

How old are they now?

[cidkidd]

Diggle is between 2 1/2 and 3 years old and my best guess for Lyla is around 9-11 months.

[LBJ10]

Hmm, has anything in their environment changed? Has Lyla changed at all (she may be spayed, but she still might go through some behavioral changes as she matures)?

[cidkidd]

I can’t think of anything that has changed in their environment. Daylight savings started a couple days before they started fighting and I’ve been wondering if that’s a factor, but I haven’t redone their cage or changed anything in the room in weeks. The only difference I’ve noticed in Lyla’s behavior is that she’s more willing to let me pet her and hold her when I have to, but I noticed that after the fighting began. She used to freak out during nail cuts, but this last one she was completely fine. She wasn’t even mad. That’s really the only thing I’ve noticed.

[LBJ10]

Strange. You would think there is a reason, but we humans may never know what’s going on in their little bunny minds. Perhaps changing up their area would help. Clean everything really well, rearrange things, and then try doing some bonding sessions. If you need to, you could try stressing them by putting them in a carrier and taking them for a car ride. Or even dragging the carrier around on the floor and jostling them around.

[Cottontail]

I wish you luck with your pair… Unfortunately I have no experience with bonded bunny pairs. (That why we need LBJ and the others!)
I do know that my Pete will get fussy and box Zoey (our cat) if I change the mealtime routine at all. He gets a piece of lettuce or dandelion while I feed Zoey, then after she gets her food he gets his. If I give him his salad first, or don’t give him his “appetizer” he gets fussy and will go up and box Zoey. Maybe your boy or girl is equally uptight about something that has changed ever-so-slightly? Sorry I couldn’t be any real help..
{{Re-Bonding Vibes}}

[cidkidd]

Ok. Thank you both so much for the advice. I’m going to clean everything really well and try to get them on a really strict schedule to see if that will help them. I’m also going to try car rides. Wish me luck!

[JackRabbit]

If that doesn’t help, try taking Lyla to the vet. Sometimes a bunny who has something going on medically will have a little different scent and the bonded bunny will reject them. Have you by any chance taken Lyla anywhere (ex. Vet) without Diggle going too?

[cidkidd]

I definitely will get her checked out if things aren’t improving soon. They haven’t been apart since November. So I’ll try the typical bonding stuff for maybe a week and if there’s no change I’ll take Lyla to the vet to make sure she’s feeling ok.

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