Bunny “Moping”?

[Smokey]

Hello everyone !
I am a first time rabbit owner ? I have had my Bentley for about 2 months now. He is a 7 month old Netherland Dwarf, who got neutered on May 3rd, so not too long ago. He loved to run around my room, try and get into all the smallest spaces, go where he shouldn’t be going, and be very upset when we had to put him in his cage for the night. (I’ll mention now it’s an 8×4 foot cage, so he has PLENTLY of room)
However, my partner and I are away at work for almost 10 hours out of the day. We let him free roam as soon as we get home but I felt it wasn’t enough for him. So I figured, let’s get him a mate!
We went to the SPCA and found a female 1 year old Mixed bun, very cute! We named her Willow and brought her home. She had just been spayed, on the 9th. So only 6 days after Bentley!
So I figured okay good, they can go through the “healing process” together, as I’ve read that putting two bun’s cages close together during the healing process can be good for their future relationship.
We have NOT let them in the same space together, as their incisions are still tender and their hormones are still off the walls. She has a typical Petsmart cage, about 4 feet long. They have been in fenced areas next to each other, enough to touch each other’s noses. This was going well, until Willow raised her tail and tried to bite Bentley’s nose. This was about a week ago. After this, their fenced have been a couple inches apart, to prevent any further negative actions toward each other.
Every since she snapped at him, Bentley has changed. The once energetic, hyper, interested bun now sits in his litter box for HOURS and just eats hay. He is drinking, pooping and peeing and EATING perfectly fine, so I don’t think it is a health issue? Before Willow was brought home, Bentley would run out of his cage to be outside as soon as we opened the door. Now, if he has hay, he stays inside his house.
I’m worried about him, as his character has completely changed.
Some thoughts I’ve had is,
1. Maybe he feels second best to Willow and is angry at us.
2. His feelings are hurt that Willow tried to bite him, since he is very interested in being her friend.
3. I read that male bunnies submit to females easily, and maybe he has submitted already and is being quiet to show this?
4. He is growing out of this attitude / calming down
5. The hormones are wearing off and this is how he truly is? I understand some bunnies are just more calm than others.

Please, any advice ❤️

[sarahthegemini]

Hmm, it could be that he feels quite insecure being so near to her. Could you put them in separate rooms for a little while and see if he comes out of his shell a bit more?

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