I think my bunnies are fighting?….

[lunavenus]

Hi guys, 

I brought my bunnies back to california with me a day or two ago, but I noticed sort of that they are chasing each other more. I assumed that they were just playing, but I’m worried they may be fighting?….
I saw some of Luna’s fluff in Venus’ mouth this morning and a lil concerned. I think I saw blood on Luna but I checked like 3 times and couldn’t find any on her. I guess it was my imagination. It looked like Venus was trying to mount Luna but I’m not too sure as Luna kept running away. 
The weirder and more confusing part is, soon after that, they seem to be friendly friendly again?… 
They were eating together again. Venus stopped chasing Luna. Yesterday night I saw them chilling side by side together and Both of them even did a bunny flop. 
I’m really worried. should i separate them for a lil bit into adjacent cages in the living room (they live in my room at the moment). 
Could it be that the new environment is posing a threat to their bond? 
Please help. I don’t want their bond to be ruined!!  

[lunavenus]

UPDATE: I definitely looks like Venus is trying to mount Luna. They don’t seem like they are fighting, but the chasing is bothering me. They were just a moment ago laying down in bunny flop position… but then Venus tried to hump luna and luna ran away. Then they are back to normal. I’m confused on what to do? Should i keep them together or separate them?… Hopefully by the end of class I’ll get some advice…..

UPDATE 2: They are eating side by side and seem fine again. I’m going to go shopping for 2 more litter boxes in hopes that it’s the reason they may be fighting. Right now I only have one litter box and didn’t realize i threw the other one away before I traveled. I’m also going to schedule a vet visit to make sure one isn’t sick and use this as an opportunity to put them together in a stressful situation so they will like each other more (hopefully)… 

UPDATE 3: They seem to be getting along again. I saw luna cuddling next to venus when I came back from class. Both were grooming themselves in front of each other and everything looks calm again… Not sure what’s going on to be honest… 

[Mikey]

Moving to a new places always has the possibility of splitting a bond, due to everything being new and not yet claimed. Chasing is a type of aggression, and youve mentioned fur pulling and mounting as well. So although they might not be fighting, it is a clear sign that their bond has broken a bit. Its not uncommon, and usually buns can work it out themselves within a few days. Getting a second litter box is a good idea, and if you feel the need, getting a second cage couldnt hurt just in case either bun decides to escalate into a fight

If they dont work it out themselves in the next few days, you can try separating them for about a week, then trying to bond them again. Since they were previously bonded, bonding them again shouldnt be too hard assuming there have been no bad scuffles. Youll want to start them in something small like a box or the bath tub, then over the course of a few days/weeks get them used to sharing the living room

[lunavenus]

@Mickey: It’s not technically a new place since they have been in the setting before.. They were doing fine during the plane ride, the taxi ride, and when I re-introduced them to my home in Cali. I kept them in a small enclosure for a while so that they can start getting used to the environment again and I needed to unpack my clothes before they can run around, but looks like they need to establish their heiarchy again.They just have been away from my Cali house for a while and before when I used to take them traveling they never were aggressive towards each other. That’s why I’m so baffled. They were always best buds. It seems like they are slowly sorting it out tho since it looks like they are starting to cuddle again.

[Mikey]

Theyve been in the same house/living room? How long ago? If its been too long, then it could still be considered a neutral place for them as their scents have likely been cleaned out. I really wouldnt worry too much about it. Get the second litter box since you said that should help, and go from there If the litter box doesnt help them out and there is still chasing, mounting, and fur pulling, you will have to work on rebonding sessions. Since they were bonded closely before, bonding them again really shouldnt take more than a few days, and thats only if they need the extra bonding help

[lunavenus]

Yes they used to live in my room before I left California for a few months. Now that you mention it, I can see how it can be considered a neutral territory since their scents may have been erased. I wonder if theres a way to like get both their scents on everything so they don’t fight. Maybe pick up both bunnies and rub them slightly on everything (lol joking) Thanks for the advice! I feel a little bit better now about them. I’ve been keeping a close eye on them for a bit and they seem to be returning back to their old selves. I’m still going to take them to the vet though because I want the exotic vet to have a look at them just so I can have a little more peace of mind. Guam didn’t have such a great exotic vet, so now that I’m back, I want them to get a physical evaluation from a vet that I trust 100%. I also need them to cut their nails (haha..)

[Author]

Messages