Bonding two neutered males

[Lakrits och Marabou]

This is my first time posting on here and since I haven’t found anything pertaining to my situation specifically I thought I’d ask.

So my two bunnies, Lakrits and Marabou, both males, were born a day apart and have the same father. We got them together and they’ve been together their whole lives. For roughly the first two months they were getting along fine with no noticeable unusual behavior. However, a little while after bringing them to my apartment at school they started getting in some tussles. At first it was just Marabou humping Lakrits but then Marabou started pulling Lakrits’ fur. We separated them and decided to get Marabou neutered. 

After a while we tried putting them together again to see if anything had changed but nothing had. We weren’t sure what to do so after reading some posts on here we decided to get Lakrits neutered too.

So now we have two neutered male bunnies that won’t stop fighting. We know Marabou is the instigator as Lakrits shies away from him whenever they’re near each other. Is there anything we can do to get them to stop fighting and be able to be in open space together? I know this will take a while but I don’t know where to start.

Thanks 

[Azerane]

Hi there

You’ve certainly done the right thing by having them both neutered, as a general rule rabbits cannot be bonded without both in the pair being desexed. I have heard of very few exceptions, so you’re certainly on the right track.

How long has it been since they were both neutered? Usually a minimum of 6 weeks post neuter is recommended before starting re-introductions because it can take a long time for all the hormones to leave their system. Sometimes there is also what’s known as the post spay/neuter craze, where hormone driven behaviour gets worse for a time before it gets better. And as with anything, some will take longer to calm down after a neuter than others.

For now, you need to keep them separated as you are doing. It is recommend to do pre-bonding which includes swapping toys, blankets bowls between cages and also swapping the cage that they are in. This is to get them used to each other’s scents being in their area, and not have a set area of their own. Since your boys have a history of fighting, you’ll likely need to take it slower than normal since there is ingrained responses there already as to how to act when they encounter each other. When you do start reintroductions, you need to do it in a neutral area where neither rabbit has ever been. In a situation like this, I’d suggest keeping the dates as short as possible to begin with. I’m talking one minute at a time. Roll up a towel to act as a barrier between them, have one each side of it and just pet them for one minute and then remove them from the situation. You always want to try to end bonding on a positive note, so if you can only get 30 seconds in before they’re out of control, only have them meet for 20 seconds. In theory as they become more comfortable, you can slowly extend the time they are together and remove the towel barrier between them, followed by sessions where they are allowed to move around freely in confined space. Gloves and a dustpan are recommend for breaking up fights so that you can avoid being bitten.

[Lakrits och Marabou]

Thanks for your quick response! 

Lakrits was neutered around thanksgiving time so its been more than two months since they’ve both been neutered. 

We have two areas that they stay in during the day and night and have been switching the area they’re in every evening after they’ve had time to run around individually. However, they’ve been using the same litter box, as in they’ve each had a litter box to themselves and haven’t dealt with the other’s box since we separated them. Should we also switch the litter boxes or let them keep their own?

Are you taking about the “smoosh technique”? I’ve seen a video or two about it on YouTube and am willing to try it. 

Thanks again!

[Azerane]

I didn’t know it had a name, lol. But I believe it is the smoosh technique, yes. I just figure rather than putting them in an area and seeing how they’ll go for a short date (like most bonding) you already know what will happen there so better to try and control the outcome

I would also swap litter boxes, yes. Could make for a little bit of a mess, but it should help

[Lakrits och Marabou]

So we’ve done the smoosh technique with Lakrits and Marabou a couple times now. Once they are in position, they seem calm and they both enjoy the petting. I’m holding Marabou when I let Lakrits go so Marabou doesn’t try attacking Lakrits. What am I supposed to look for from Lakrits when I let him go? He doesn’t really notice he can go until I stop petting him and then he just sits there for a minute or two more. He sometimes also puts his head close to Marabou’s but we’re not sure if that’s to sniff him, to bite him, or to do anything else. 

Also, when will I know it’s time to move onto the next step? I’m planning on using “SpecialBunnyRescue”‘s techniques on YouTube as they are different from the common techniques I’ve seen and read about because of the situation my bunnies are in.  

Thanks again!

[Author]

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