Bunny pulling out other bunnys fur

[Didi]

Flynn (spayed girl) and Bertie (newly neutered male) have recently (2 months) been bonded. They absolutely adore each other and follow each other everywhere but, I have noticed that Bertie is pulling Flynns fur out. She now has a bald spot with a scalp and it’s very red. He does it when he grooms her and she doesn’t move away or seem too fussed about it but it looks sore and has quite a big scab.

Is this a dominance thing? Is there something I can put on it to help or stop Bertie from pulling more fur out?

[jerseygirl]

Where is the loss coming from? Head, Back…?

It sounds as if he is overgrooming her. It is sometimes called “Barbering” also. 

You could try treating the scab some plain neosporin cream and see if that is enough to deter him licking the area.

[Didi]

The bald spot is on her upper back, about a inch from her neck

[jerseygirl]

Is he mounting her much? It sounds like the spot of fur they grab with their teeth when they mount another rabbit.
If that is the case, this will probably stop soon once he’s hormones level out not that he’s desexed. It can take several months for some rabbits.

[Didi]

I haven’t seen him mount her in a while. When they sit and groom each other he gives that spot a lot of attention though
I just don’t know why Flynn isn’t moving away if he’s hurting her!
If it is over grooming, how do I stop it? They have loads of toys and the whole house to run around, so they shouldn’t be bored!

[jerseygirl]

Often it is attributed to boredom, but i think it can be addictive for some rabbits also.

Barbering is tricky to try and curb. If it gets really bad, some owners have had to temporarily separate rabbits so the other can recover.

Some ideas Ive heard of to deter the one grooming is to put a little bitter apple spray on the fur (not sure how it spreads but I’d be afraid of it stinging the raw area). Another was to put an appealing essential oil on the hind end on the rabbit. Apparently aniseed is attractive to a lot of rabbits.

I wonder if securing a salt lick (not mineral) on a cage or pen wall would appeal to him. Rabbits don’t need mineral or salt licks for nutrition but a salt lick may be appealing for him so he can continue the licking action when he needs to. They are supposed to self moderate salt intake but make sure there is plenty of water available. Water will take excess salt out of the body.

Do you have some levels in their main habitat area? Some levels they can go up and down can provide some extra interest but also allow one rabbit to get away from another if they need to.

I think the overgrooming is something you will probably (hopefully) see abate by itself as he settles post-neuter and matures. Fingers crossed!

[Didi]

Thank you! I’ll get a salt lick tomorrow.
I checked on the spot again tonight and it’s yellow in one spot so Bertie is in the bathroom for the night and tomorrow while I work and we’re off to the vets tomorrow night

[jerseygirl]

How did the vet visit go?

[Didi]

She had to go on antibiotics and be separated from Bertie while the wound heels!
Now I need suggestions on how to stop the behavior from happening agaain! They have supervised visits when I get home from work and he keeps trying to go for the same spot!

[jerseygirl]

Im not really sure what else to suggest to curb his habit.

I was thinking you could put a small t-shirt or something like those medical pet shirts or thunder shirt on Flynn, but she can’t really live on one of those for the rest of her life! It may be useful though when they are back together while the spot fully heals.

[Vienna Blue in France]

? A collar on Bertie… so when he goes to groom Flynn, she doesn’t like getting (gently) battered by an overgrown lampshade – she may move away??

Or a stuffed bunny friend with Flynn hair on it so he grooms the fluff instead?

Just thinking out loud…

[Didi]

Yea the vet suggested that I get her a shirt to wear so might be getting one of those!
A teddy is a good idea! Flynn used to have a teddy and groomed it constantly!
Think I’ll be buying a shirt and a teddy this weekend ?

[Author]

Messages