Bonded bunnies suddenly fighting viciously!!!help!

[Bun momma]

My bunnies, Oliver(male) and Ginny(female), bonded with 0 effort. I put them in a cage together a few weeksafter they were both fixed and they cuddled and explored and loved eachother immediately. Everything was great, they’ve been acting totally normal for months. All of the sudden today I was woken up at 4 am by incredibly loud sounds to find them viciously fighting- fur flying, nipping, relentless attacking. One would run away, then turn right around and start fighting while the other just kept instigating. I stopped it before I could figure out who exactly the instigator was but I have a feeling it may have been olivander, but I really can’t tell. I thought maybe it was a one time thing, and after separating them for a few minutes, put them back. Everything was fine for about ten minutes before it started again. Oliver sniffed Ginny in the main litter box, and all the sudden they were trying to just about kill eachother again. I’ve NEVER seen this from them before and neither of them have been acting at all abnormal. I’ve seperated them with a baby gate for the night so I can get some sleep but if anyone has ideas PLEASE let me know. I love my bunny babies and I want to make sure they’re as comfortable and happy as can be.
PS- I recently made some changes to the cage, like removing the rug and putting down cardboard and some sort of vinyl flooring material, just for the sake of cleaning. Could this have something to do with it? How do I solve the problem and stop the fighting? Please help!

[Deleted User]

I’ve heard of this happening when rabbits are not properly bonded. You stated that you put them in the cage together and they were fine, but even with each bunny being very receptive to the other, I think that they would have benefitted from some actual bonding. At least, it’s what I’ve heard and it’s the only thing that comes to mind about the sudden fights since they are both spayed/neutered.

For now, you need to separate them. With each fight they have a serious risk of hurting each other (badly) and also damaging their bond. If you allow them to stay together and continue fighting, they could end up hating each other and never bond. I suggest that you separate them, and work on bonding. Introduce them back to each other slowly (and through a barrier since they keep fighting) and let them regain one another’s trust.

Someone more experienced in bonding here may be able to give you a little more info. I haven’t bonded my rabbits yet because my lop is not neutered, I’ve only read a lot on the subject.

[Bun momma]

Thank you very much. You’re probably right- proper bonding is probably in order. Oliver wasn’t unfortunately injured- a scratch on his ear- and I’m taking them both to the vet today to check for illness or injury and get further consultation. I’m very upset that this happened and quite stressed. ill keep updating just to help anyone else with similar issues.

[Deleted User]

Completely off topic, I know, but I’m obsessed with Harry Potter and love your bun names. I do think Olivander is quite overlooked at times, so I appreciate that you named your bun after him.

[DanaNM]

Posted By Bun momma on 7/31/2017 5:44 AM

My bunnies, Oliver(male) and Ginny(female), bonded with 0 effort. I put them in a cage together a few weeksafter they were both fixed and they cuddled and explored and loved eachother immediately. Everything was great, they’ve been acting totally normal for months. All of the sudden today I was woken up at 4 am by incredibly loud sounds to find them viciously fighting- fur flying, nipping, relentless attacking. One would run away, then turn right around and start fighting while the other just kept instigating. I stopped it before I could figure out who exactly the instigator was but I have a feeling it may have been olivander, but I really can’t tell. I thought maybe it was a one time thing, and after separating them for a few minutes, put them back. Everything was fine for about ten minutes before it started again. Oliver sniffed Ginny in the main litter box, and all the sudden they were trying to just about kill eachother again. I’ve NEVER seen this from them before and neither of them have been acting at all abnormal. I’ve seperated them with a baby gate for the night so I can get some sleep but if anyone has ideas PLEASE let me know. I love my bunny babies and I want to make sure they’re as comfortable and happy as can be.
PS- I recently made some changes to the cage, like removing the rug and putting down cardboard and some sort of vinyl flooring material, just for the sake of cleaning. Could this have something to do with it? How do I solve the problem and stop the fighting? Please help!

So sorry this happened to you! Very scary! I had a bond break once, and it was terrifying, and I was so thankful that we were home to stop the fight…. 

I agree that they were not fully bonded, so changing the cage and all of that basically made their area a “new territory”, and they decided to re-establish dominance. 

You’ll need to separate them completely, let them cool down (not interact with each other) for a few weeks to a few months (3 months is recommended if anyone was injured), and then start over with proper bonding. 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Deleted User]

Keep us updated! Fights are so stressful!! No one wants to see either of their babies like that!

[Author]

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