New Bunny Behavior – Food/litter box aggression

[AKM]

I just adopted Bunny #2, a spayed female to hopefully bond with my current spayed French lop. The new bunny is known to be shy and take time to warm up to people. Everyone at the shelter said she was really sweet. She was at the shelter in a cage for about 4 months. The first day I brought her home, she thumped her leg when I approached her, she did let me pet her some. She also went after me with a grunt and charging like behavior when I touched her little box and food bowl. I was shocked as I did not expect that coming from this known to be shy bunny. She does not like me getting near her litter box so far. I understand she is stressed in her new home, she is puppy-gated so cage free. I am also giving her time to adjust and not pushing to pet her. Would this behavior possibly change when she trusts me and settles in and also if she acts like this towards me will she continue to be aggressive over food and the litter box with my current bunny if they can bond? I am new to this behavior as my current bunny I have had for 2 months is a sweet, docile, cuddle bug.

[tobyluv]

It can take time for a bunny to settle into a new home and to feel comfortable with you. I have adopted rabbits that took months to want to be around me and to be petted. She is evidently feeling territorial and protective of her litter box and food bowl. That should change as she feels more comfortable in your home. Sit on the floor and let her come to you.

Was she just recently spayed? There can be a month or more of adjustment after their surgery, when they are dealing with the fluctuating hormone levels.

If your other rabbit has access to the gate that contains your new rabbit, make sure that they can’t reach each other through the gate. You may have to have a double barrier. You don’t want any noses or ears or other body parts to get nipped. Bunnies can hold a grudge and that wouldn’t be a good start to future bonding. Let her settle in for a few weeks before you even attempt bonding.

[AKM]

She was spayed in August. I am hoping she just needs time to settle in and trust me. As it was alarming when she acted out like that! The bunnies are separate close by, but cannot reach each other through the baby gate. I am taking things very slow and may not put them in the same room separated for awhile either. They will be able to sniff, see each other when I let my first bun Bella out of her room to play. Thank you for the input!

[Author]

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