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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BONDING Possible unbonding or other issue?

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    • Nellie&Nora
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        i have two rabbits who have been together since they were 2 months – now 6 months old – both female and they are both spayed – they are both 6 months old and have been spayed for around 2 months.
        One of my rabbits (Nora) has been chasing my other rabbit (Nellie) and humping her which I know is about dominance but Nellie gets Nora to always groom her which I don’t understand if Nora is the dominant rabbit.

        Lately me and my partner have seen fur missing on the side of Nellie and recently today we had seen Nora scratching Nellie on the side then following with pulling her fur out before Nellie has the time to run away.

        Does anyone know why she is doing this and potentially harming the other rabbit ( they are half sisters )

        Any advice is welcome I am desperate as I don’t want to get rid of Nora if they have to be split up as we won’t have the room for two cages and we both love her dearly but I can’t let her hurt Nellie and pulling all of her fur out .

        Many thanks X


      • Mikey
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          Youll need to separate them for a while, which means getting another cage or putting a divider into their cage. If shes scratching and pulling fur out, thats already harmful, not potentially harmful. Rabbits have very thin and sensitive skin. Keep them separate for a good month or two then restart with the bonding process (short sessions in a small neutral area > long sessions in a small neutral area > short sessions in their free roam area > long sessions in their free roam area > short sessions sharing a cage > long sessions sharing a cage > continue until “cemented” [no aggression from either bun])


        • Nellie&Nora
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            Thank you for the reply –
            When they are together in the cage they are always sitting with each other and cuddling though so I don’t understand why one minute she is cuddly with her and the next she does that,

            She has been an aggressive rabbit though since we have had her – not with the other rabbit but with us occasionally.


          • Mikey
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              She may just be more aggressive naturally, then. It sounds like a territory issue with her, which if she hasnt grown out of it from bonding, she may never grow out of it. I still suggest separating them for a month or longer then restarting the bonding process. If it doesnt work out after a few bonding tries after that, i would assume its just her personality. She may be better as a single bun

              Also, quick questions, shes been to a rabbit savvy vet about this before, right? Just to rule anything medical out


            • Nellie&Nora
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                Thank you for your reply again –
                They have had their check ups and had been for a spay and they haven’t found anything so I don’t assume so?
                As I’m typing this they are sat together and grooming each other so it’s just really confused me…

                The only problem I have would be the space – I wouldn’t have enough space for another cage – if we had to split them up would one rabbit be able to go to a different house for the month or would they have to see each other?

                If she had to be a single rabbit would you suggest getting another one to bond with the other rabbit as she is very loving and always tries to get attention off the other rabbit..

                Sorry for all these questions I’m a first time bunny owner haha – as it is season for moulting could it be as they are young still and this is their first moult that she could be seeing as getting the loose hair out but actually doing more damage then she realises?


              • Mikey
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                  A different house would be fine, but make sure you reserve a neutral area for when you begin bonding. A month away from one another can reset whatever bond they did have though, so be ready to start from square one if you decide to go that route. Sometimes this is really helpful, though, because if there is a drudge, more often than not, the complete separation will cause the grudge to drop

                  As for possibly splitting them up (worst case scenario), you can try bunny dates with your calmer bunny if you feel she needs a friend. Sometimes loving bunnies are good solo as well, as long as their humans give them the attention they want Its something youd have to try out with her if she seems to be lonely

                  I wouldnt think its from molting only because you mentioned chasing and humping. One thing to mention about that too, its possible shes feeling insecure. If she wants more attention and feels like shes not getting it (from you or your other bunny), she could be acting out. My Blue did this for a week or so when i started giving more attention to our youngest bun (he has a physical disability, so i have to check him over often and make sure hes not in pain anywhere; Blue didnt want to share my attention)

                  How often do they chase and pull fur? Before you decide what to do, it might be worth starting up a journal to see if theres a pattern. Write down the date, the time, what happened before the chasing/fur pulling, and what they did/how they acted after they stopped chasing/fur pulling. Doing this might help you learn if its an attention craving problem, territory problem, molting, season changes, ect

                  EDIT

                  No problem with the questions I dont mind helping out if possible. Also, welcome to BinkyBunny!


                • Nellie&Nora
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                    Thank you very much you have been so helpful –
                    When we try to give her attention sometimes she just nudges for even nips our hands ( which is half of the time )
                    I will give it a week of writing down when and what happened to see if there is a pattern – would I be able to share my findings with you in a week or so to see what to do next if it continues?

                    Thank you very much once again


                  • Mikey
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                      Sure thing! In about a week when you have some notes, you could update this thread so me and others can give our opinions on what may be going on. Ive only had my three boys for about a year (a wonderful year!) so i dont know everything about bunnies, but my trio has taught me a lot, along with this awesome site of course!

                      When she nudges you, she could be thanking you for the attention or she could be asking you to back off. Oddly enough, its the same for light nipping (nips that dont draw blood). Some bunnies nip as a type of love bite

                      I wish you luck on the journalling! I will check back here in a week


                    • LBJ10
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                        The aggression may just be a part of growing up. Bunnies develop their adult personalities as they reach maturity. Spaying isn’t going to affect that. Baby bunnies love everyone, this is a fact. So even though they have been together since you have had them doesn’t mean problems won’t develop as they transition into adulthood. Some bunnies a just less social or “tolerant” of other bunnies as adults.

                        I agree that they may need a break. Separating them will give them time to settle. Then you can try to rebond them just like you would two bunnies who are complete strangers.


                      • Nellie&Nora
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                          Hiya Mikey & LBJ10

                          From what I have been seeing with the girls – it’s really only happens with affection but also when Nora gets annoyed ( as I’ve said before – she gets very moody/angry possible anger issues) she will bite her if she is close As well.
                          What I’ve noticed as well is that Nora keeps humping Nellie literally every single day multiple times! Is there anything that we could do to reduce this? As I bet it gets annoying for Nellie and not fair on her – I know it’s to do with her showing who is boss but she does it so much


                        • Mikey
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                            It sounds like Nora would prefer to be alone if shes easily annoyed and moody. I would go forth with separating them for a good month or two then retrying. When they are put back together after the break, it might seem worse to start (but should die down fairly fast if you start with speed runs [2 minutes together, separate, repeat few minutes later, multiple times a day]), but thats because they will see eachother as strangers


                          • Nellie&Nora
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                              Hiya,
                              I had spoken to the vets yesterday about it and the vet thinks Nora has learnt these behaviours while the hormones where in her system still and now they are habits to her.
                              I’m going to split them up soon for a while then try and bond them back if it still happens then the vet said Bora will most likely have to be on her own – thank you so much for your help while going through this Mikey


                            • Mikey
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                                Its possible. My middle boy is still overcoming bad habits from before he was neutered. If thats the case, it should improve with time and some training. I hope the split helps them out! Good luck to you and your bunnies; Im glad i was able to help out, even just a little bit If you wouldnt mind, id love to read an update after the split to see if things got any better


                              • Nellie&Nora
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                                  Yes of course! I’ll update as soon as I rebond them for you


                                • Nellie&Nora
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                                    Hiya Mikey,

                                    just a quick update: 

                                    I have spoken around about Nora and many people including a rabbit behaviorist has said that the split will not help Nora so there isnt any point in trying it, they think Nora is over territorial and also over dominant from everything I have explained to her.

                                    They said the best thing to do is either have her on her own or pair her with a male who has the same level of dominance as her which might mellow her out as Nellie is (to put it simply) a push over, she doesn’t stick up for herself at all because of her gentle personality she always becomes submissive and freezes every time Nora does something to her.

                                    very sad as they are so lovely together and always cuddling and grooming – even though they are sisters and the best of friends, it isnt fair on Nellie to get chased non stop and also hurt. so we are currently trying to find a brilliant home for her at this point in time which is very upsetting to me and my partner as we love her dearly.


                                  • Mikey
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                                      I think its worth a try, though. You never know until you try it. Plus, you might feel better knowing you tried everything possible to keep the pair together. But, it is true that some rabbits are better as solo, and its possible she is one of those bunnies. Im very sorry that all of you have to go through this Should she have to be rehomed, im sure you guys will find a good home for her ((((((Good luck vibes))))))

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                                  Forum BONDING Possible unbonding or other issue?