Cranky old lady bunny keeps going after young husbun!??

[Dee]

I’m a little out of practice with bonding. Nelli (7yr old spayedfemale) and Luke (1.5yr old neutered male) have been living side by side in our old house. We kept them separated due to being too busy, figuring a new house would be perfect neutral bonding ground, and the fact that an unplanned meeting between the two resulted in a scratch that Nelli needed stitches for. Lost my nerve after that ?.

So it’s the second day in the new house. First day, Nelli immediately started humping Luke, who was initially too scared to even move. We pulled her back a bit since he was trembling with fear. Than they both got curious exploring a bit, but mainly retreated to hide together in their box. Occasionally Nell would squeal and hump Luke, who would run. Then Luke got a little braver, and when Nell ran by him exploring, would lunge- ears back and tail up- and grab a tuft of hair from her bum. Nelli has fur to spare fortunately! I do scold when they go after each other because sometimes they both start back and forth. Then Nell gets stressed and gets hind end weakness and starts wobbling and losing her balance ?. I’m giving her another course of Panacure since stress brings back her EC symptoms.

Today Luke is better about nipping when Nell runs by him or away from him. The main thing is Nelli! She keeps going after Luke, and even though it’s not a real attack, it startles him. About half the time he simply jumps away, especially since he is very smart and knows he gets scolded for going after Nell. Nelli isn’t too concerned about being scolded though. The final scene was Nell went after him, and somehow fell on her side, and they were right in the corner with the water bowl, so they ended up rolling around. Maybe because Luke couldn’t get out of the way, plus I had the broom in between them pretty quick. I was sure it was the same as before- Nell and Luke rolled for 2 seconds, Nell got her belly scratched open. ER visit to Tufts, $500 and general anesthesia for an older bunny- not good.

I checked Nell and can’t find any scratches, thank God. So I let them calm down, Luke was about asleep in the big box with 2 sections. I put Nell down, she ran right to the big box, let out her “I’m gonna jump you” squeal, and Luke shot out of the box like lightning.

Seems like he’s not looking for a fight, but when he gets scared or mad enough, he does get into it with her. Mainly he looks curious and hopeful about her- it’s so sad. But she is just so threatened by him and won’t stop asserting her dominance. Which would be OK but she’s older and when she gets riled up, she tends to slip or fall over if they’re not on carpet, which can start a fight simply by itself I think.

I’m really discouraged but then again, have only bonded one easy pair before. Is rolling around at all considered a fight?? Should I call it quits or switch to a more controlled setting rather than letting them just hop around the house and encounter each other at will? This is a big house, plenty of room to escape, but they tend to follow each other.

I’m praying some one has some ideas. Thanks.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

You know, others may have different experiences, but after a fight like that I’m not sure I would consider continuing to bond. Do you have the option to just keep them separate? The only other suggestion I have is, if you are in an area with rabbit savvy people, perhaps finding a rabbit rescue that offers bonding services.

[vanessa]

If you really want to bond them, I’d give them 2 weeks break. They need to get over the emotional trauma of their fighting. Then start WAAAY slowly. I wouldn’t give them enough space to do any of the antics you have described. I’d hold them in a smoosh position – sit on the floor with them in between your knees, keep your hands on their heads and pet them. Do this for 10-15 minutes at a time, so they can get used to being in close proximity with no drama. I’d do this for minimum 1 week, once or twice a day. Once you can trust them like that, maybe do a car ride. MAYBE. Then back to the smoosh position, but take your hand off their heads, and allow them to lift their heads and sniff and communicate. I still wouldnt’ let them move out and away from your legs.
This worked for me when I started bonding Guin and Lancelot, coz they also fought and did the “tuck and roll”, which is very bad. In the end, I think guin wants more snuggling then Lancelot is willing to give. He wants to be with me, not with another bunny. So I am going to bond her with another pair I have that are both quite snuggly. She is getting frustrated with Lancelot’s “bachelor” outlook on life.
BUT – back to your bunnies – I think this is a good way to approach bonding a fighting pair. If they have shown fighting behavior, dont’ trust them enough to give them that sort of space. Take it very very slowly.

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