Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny “digging” into another bunny’s back..?

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • mimimomo
      Participant
      76 posts Send Private Message

        Hi there, I have a quick question. I have two “bonded” bunnies (one is only 3 1/2 months old, so I’m not sure it can be called true bonding yet). The older bunny Mochi is neutered, but Mimi is too young to be spayed. I plan on getting her spayed when she’s a few months older.

        When they first met each other, Mochi made a few halfhearted attempts at humping Mimi, but after a few hours he gave up and has never tried again. Since then, they’ve become inseparable – they share a cage and they love to snuggle and groom each other. They’ve been living together for 5 weeks with no issues whatsoever.

        Just yesterday, I noticed a new behavior from Mochi that I’d never seen before: he climbed onto her back and started “digging” with his front paws into her back. It seemed relatively gentle, and when she moved away he let her go, but I saw him repeat the behavior a few times later that day. It really didn’t look like humping to me – there was no hip movement, just digging with his front paws.

        Has anyone seen this before or does anyone know what this is? I’m not sure if it’s just a weird form of grooming, or if it’s a response to Mimi’s hormones. I know that as she goes through puberty, their relationship might change and they might need to be separated till she’s spayed, but I would’ve expected Mimi to be the one with the behavior change…


      • sarahthegemini
        Participant
        5584 posts Send Private Message

          My Peanut does this to Buttercup. He used to do it when he wanted her to move but now he sniffs her, digs a little. She moves, he’ll repeat. She’ll move. He’ll repeat etc. This usually happens 3 or 4 times in a row before Buttercup puts a stop to it by demanding grooms. In my case it isn’t aggressive at all, just annoying (for Buttercup bless her, I do sometimes wish she’ll nip him to tell him off!) I’m trying to train him to not do it.


        • mimimomo
          Participant
          76 posts Send Private Message

            Thanks for your response, Sarah – that’s exactly what I was hoping to hear! Annoying, maybe, but harmless

        Viewing 2 reply threads
        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

        Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny “digging” into another bunny’s back..?