Grooming Questions

[summer]

I’m fostering two rabbits right now. 

They originally stayed at my boyfriend’s place and I visited them once there. 

At that time they were the same size. Their names are Shadow and Softie. When I visited them, Softie was only groomed Shadow. I didn’t see Shadow groom Softie. Shadow was more extroverted and didn’t fear humans but Softie was scared of everything and didn’t leave her cage as often so I think Shadow was the dominant one.

Now, they’ve moved in with me and are about 2.5~3 months old. Softie got MUCH bigger and no longer grooms Shadow. Shadow asks for grooming but I’ve never seen Softie groom him. Softie also asks for grooming but I’ve never seen Shadow groom her. Shadow is still more extroverted and fearless but Softie is bigger in size. Are they in a midst of a power struggle? 

Now I’m noticing that Softie likes to sniff (or bite?) Shadows bum sometimes. I think I’ve seen Shadow do that too. And sometimes, when they are relaxing, Softie sits on Shadow’s face . 

Is that a type of grooming or does it mean something else? Are they hitting puberty and about to get it on?!?! 

Otherwise, they get along super well. Always cuddling and staying together. I’m just curious as to what’s going on with them. 

[LBJ10]

The nipping can either be dominance related or simply one bunny saying to another “move”. I would watch them closely. As I said in your other thread, there could be a fight brewing. When hormones start kicking in, all bets are off. Two seemingly bonded bunnies who love each other can turn on each other literally over night. It’s like a switch is flipped.

[Author]

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