Question about bonded pair

[sarahthegemini]

Okay guys you probably already know about Peanut and Buttercup but here’s a quick recap:

-Started bonding on 15th January, did a 4 hour session 

-Began marathon bonding on the 16th January, and they’ve been together since

-First/only scuffle occurred about 5 days into the bond, due to Peanut humping Buttercup and her not wanting to be humped. It was nothing major, circling ensued and a little chase but we broke it up and within 20 minutes they were back to snuggling and grooming each other. 

-We supervised them 24/7 for about 2 weeks straight. No issues whatsoever, we just wanted to be safe.

Over the past few weeks, the humping attempts by Peanut have stopped. I would also say over the past two weeks, Peanut hasn’t even thought about humping Buttercup. Before, he would sniff intently and sort of look like he wanted to mount but never followed through. All seemed well. He developed this annoying habit of digging at Buttercup when he wanted her to move (I’ve mentioned that several times before!) She didn’t seem bothered, she’d just move a little and then they’d snuggle/lay side by side. 

Anyway, he is digging at her a lot more now and sniffing her butt intently quite often (maybe once or twice a day) It would seem that the sniffing is a pre-lude to the digging. Basically he’ll sniff her quite a bit and then dig at her back end, she’ll hop out of the way, he’ll follow and sniff again, then dig at her back end etc. He does this a few times before realising he should be more respectful! I don’t know why he does it? I mean, he never attempts to mount/hump, why is he so keen on digging at her? Is this another form of dominance perhaps? Often once he has tried this sniff + dig thing a few times, Buttercup will put her back against the wall (to stop him sniffing her butt i guess) and demand grooming which he usually does do. Then they lay/snuggle together or resume chewing on their favourite toy. It’s very bizarre and a little unsettling as I just don’t understand his intentions. I must say, Buttercup is an angel with all this and I wouldn’t blame her for nipping him to get him to back off but she never has. 

I don’t know whether this is at all relevant either but I figured it’s worth mentioning: Peanut is pretty much always at Buttercup’s side. He really has an attachment to her which I do find sweet, he loves snuggling right up to her and many a time throughout the day he will nuzzle and flop right by her side while she bunny loafs. It’s adorable. 

Can anyone offer any insight? This is a relatively new problem, I do believe they are fully bonded but this makes me uneasy as I’m worried about what Peanut’s fixation with digging is all about and whether Buttercup might snap one day. 

[Lilo]

I think since i assume he’s neutered is hes just asserting his dominance. Im not really sure. My rabbits will sniff the ground and dig at it so maybe he wants to dig at something

[Author]

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