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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 BONDING New ‘scuffles’

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    • JoS_1
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        I have two young male rabbits (approx. 17 weeks and due to be neutered on Wed). They have been together since birth and have been inseparable in the 3 weeks I have had them. They are house bunnies and at weekend I moved them to a larger enclosure (over 6ft) for when no one is around and then they have access to the whole room for a few hours in the morning and then all evening. The new enclosure is in a different room to the previous three weeks.

        They have just started to change behaviour towards each other a little. Some chasing in a circle, one face hump that I have observed and a couple of tufts of pulled out fur (no injury that I can see). I am sure this is down to hormones but my question is what is best to do? Could changing locations have affected them/stressed them? I of course do not want a full blown fight as I don’t want the bond to be broken/injuries, but I cannot be there 24/7 to supervise.

        I have read a few conflicting things so hoping for some clear advise please on the best way to try and avoid things escalating.

        Is it best to move them back to the smaller cage for a while? Is it best to separate until post neuter (I don’t really want to do this)?

        They are currently flopped out next to each other and seem as happy as usual!

        Thanks in advance!


      • Mikey
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          Hormones can destroy bunny relationships. You need to separate them and keep them separated until one to two months after they are both neutered. Hormonal rabbits will often fight to the death. Face humping also leads to genital biting, which, without going into detail, is horrible.


        • Bianca
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            You don’t need to worry about breaking their bond – they are babies and therefore not actually bonded.

            Separate them now before someone gets hurt and once they have been neutered for 4-6 weeks you can start pre bonding again, and go from there.


          • Bam
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              It’s best to separate them now because they get into any real conflict. That can make bonding after de-sexing a lot harder. They should ideally still be in the same room, so they can see and hear and smell each other, but not reach each other to bite or mate (rabbits can mate through cage bars). They wont like being separated, but it’s for the best.


            • JoS_1
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                Thanks everyone! Separating it is!

                Just to confirm, even though they seem the best of friends now and have grown up together, post neuter I need to start the whole bonding process from the beginning as you would two rabbits who don’t know each other?

                Is it ok to let them out together if I am there to pay close attention and break up the first sign of an over interested sniff?

                Thanks!


              • Bam
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                  You should start the whole bonding process over after desexing, but if you separate before any serious fighting, chances are it will go smoothly. 2-3 weeks after neutering you can start swopping toys between them, then litterboxes. Don’t do it sooner because right after a neuter, the hormones need a bit of time to dissipate. A newly neutered bunny can actually become more hormonal behavior-wise for a certain time (known as a post-neuter craze).

                  After a couple of weeks of toy- and litterbox-swopping you can start reintroduction. Don’t rush it, patience pays off.


                • sarahthegemini
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                    Posted By JoS_1 on 8/31/2017 1:43 AM

                    Thanks everyone! Separating it is!

                    Just to confirm, even though they seem the best of friends now and have grown up together, post neuter I need to start the whole bonding process from the beginning as you would two rabbits who don’t know each other?

                    Is it ok to let them out together if I am there to pay close attention and break up the first sign of an over interested sniff?

                    Thanks!

                    In a nutshell, no. No play dates.


                  • Deleted User
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                      I second, no play dates even with supervision. If someone is nipped too hard before you can intervene you may end up with bunnies holding grudges against each other! As bam said, patience really pays off! I know you just want to see them cuddled up and flopped together…but you will get there!

                      I’ve had my two separated since I brought the mini lop baby home in the first week of July…and he was neutered a week ago so I still have a few weeks of separation. So trust me when I say that it sucks to have separates, but ultimately it will be what’s best for their relationship


                    • Mikey
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                        Agreed, no play dates. Play dates wouldve only been ok if they had not been showing any signs of hormonal behavior. But, since they are acting hormonally, you wont be able to do play dates.

                        Baby buns can make friendships, but they dont bond. Hormonal rabbits can bond, but only if they dont act hormonally. Neutered/spayed rabbits can bond if the process is done correctly and they have fitting personalities


                      • JoS_1
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                          Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.

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                      Forum BONDING New ‘scuffles’