Bonding gone wrong?

[jal22]

I need some help? After getting a second bunny, they got along well at the beginning. Now the female is very dominate over the food and water. She will push the male away and not allow him to eat or drink. It’s gotten to the point where we have to separate them so he is able to eat. It feels like he losta bite of weight. Is this normal after pairing bunnies? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Azerane]

No, this is not normal. Both should be able to eat freely without getting into arguments. Is your female spayed and your male neutered? If your female is not spayed she may be more territorial because of it.

Separating them for feeding time is good, in the cage I would add extra water bowls and areas with hay though so that he always has an available source, she can’t guard all of them. That being said, with her behaviour I wouldn’t consider them properly bonded and I would be concerned with leaving them together for long periods of time as it may not be safe for your male. She may be picking on him and it might reach a point where they get into a fight.

[sarahthegemini]

Competing for food is relatively normal but not allowing the other to eat is definitely not. I would hesitate to call them bonded. What was your bonding process like? Do you have multiple food stations? I have two litter boxes both with hay so each of mine can have one each though often they’ll eat from the same one anyway. I would always reccomend scatter feeding pellets. Pellets – especially for my two – can be like bunny cocaine and they can get very excited and boisterous. Having them in a bowl can make them butt heads in order to get their fair share whereas scattering them allows them both easy access.

Does your female chase your male whenever he approaches food or just when she’s trying to eat?

[Author]

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