My buns aren’t as happy

[Nibbles1418]

 Hello.. so i need some advice…

We (me and my boyfriend) recently got a second rabbit to bond with our current one, Nibbles. Nibbles is our baby and we wanted her to have company when were not home during the day. So we got Moxie about a month and a half ago now… and things haven’t been too good. At first they were doing great, and then one day that got in a fight. Idk if it was a bad one of not, because I have never seen a bunny fight or show any aggression. But it seemed awful to me. Both were okay though, just fur mess(they both have lionhead so theres always a LOT of fur) We let them cool down and started the dating process over. But they were (and still are) housed in adjacent areas. They can’t get at each other but can still see each other, which they loved before the fight… The dates weren’t very good, they would fight or just stomp around each other. And then Nibbles started acting out. She started stomping and digging on us and just acting out. Which she has NEVER done. We tried moving moxie out of the room (we have a bedroom set up as a bunny room) but we only live in a two bedroom apartment, so there isn’t really somewhere she could go permanently..I would be fine keeping her in the area next to nibbles and just keeping them separate, but they both seem MISERABLE. The vet said moxie is 4, so an ‘older’ bun. I don’t want her to be getting stressed out and it effecting her. Or nibbles. 

Ive no idea what to do. Does anyone have any advice or experience on this? I know all the basics to bonding like taking it slow and being patient etc because Ive done a ton of research on it. But Nibbles isn’t herself anymore and its making me sad. 

Also last night Nibbles woke me up and had gotten out of her area (happens every so often because she loves to escape. Its a game for her and once she gets out she just comes and finds me. surprisingly alway at night… I just find what she jumped off or squeezed through and fixit) And so I put her back and noticed fur in moxies area. Like fur from a fight. I freaked and checked them both and they were both completely fine… but still. AHH! Idk if its good or not that she went in and fought and LEFT, like so stopped fighting? idk. 

[Mikey]

Sounds like she is feeling replaced. How did bonding go when you initially got the new bunny, or did you kind of throw them together and hope for the best? Are they both spayed?

[Deleted User]

I’m certainly no expert and this may be bad advice

Oh no, I hope you find a way around this, is there any way you could completely split them up for a while and start over at a later date?
If it were me I would ask my parents to look after the new one for a while and see if some distance helps.

[Deleted User]

I’m certainly no expert and this may be bad advice

Oh no, I hope you find a way around this, is there any way you could completely split them up for a while and start over at a later date?
If it were me I would ask my parents to look after the new one for a while and see if some distance helps.

[vanessa]

The fight will leave some hurt feelings, so I would give them a few weeks break from being able to see each other, and then try very slow dates. I liked the smoosh technique. When I started bonding Guin and Lancelot, she attacked him every chance she got, and he started to resent her. And no – they weren’t happy for a while. When was pissed off, and Lancelot was stressed. It was rough. There were times, at least 3 or 4, when I contemplated keeping them as single buns, to make them happy again. But 8 months later, they were the snuggliest pair of buns ever. I think there were 2 hard parts for me. No – make it 3. The first was getting through the fights. Then getting through her constantly nipping and biting him. Then getting through their unhappiness. Bonding is stressful for rabbits, and humans. Some cases more than others. My first 2 pairs were ridiculously easy. I just put them together, female in male’s enclosure, and 2 weeks later they were best of pals. Guin and Lancelot were very difficult.
I think distance will help, and you really might need it after these early fights. And then try it again. Very controlled. There is a great youtube video series on the smoosh technique.

[Nibbles1418]

Mikey, we took her to our local shelter and she dated 3 bunnies on 3 seperate days (so 3 dates with each bun) and she chose Moxie, by getting along with her best. They clicked anazingly. And yes they are both spayed. Nibbles was spayed very young so she never got any real tendencies. idk how old moxie was when she was because she was spayed when the rescue shelter got…
Vanessa- thankyou, that makes me feel a lot better! I just want them both to be happy and what’s best for them

[Nibbles1418]

  This was them this morning. (Nibbles is on the left and Moxie on the right) It made me smile so I had to share. After I took this Moxie laid down against her. 

Maybe there is more hope than I thought?

[Mikey]

But how did you bond them when you got home? Just because they got along well at the shelter doesnt mean you dont have to bond when you take them home Do they each have their own cages/pens? Since to me it sounds like Nibbles is feeling a bit replaced, it might be best to give her a little extra attention compared to normal. My first bun needed loads more attention, cuddles, and pets after getting our second and third rabbit (that he picked out). Once he realized he wasnt being replaced, bonding went smoothly

[vanessa]

Mikey has a good point. Guin is also teretorial, and needs loads more attention than her new pal. She demands it too… when I step into the bunny room, I can’t get past the door threshold without her at my ankles demanding to be petted. It’s cute.

[Author]

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