My two bunnies fought before one of them was neutered... Did I ruin everything?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 5 months ago by Nishi.

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- 09/11/2016 at 5:07 PM
  Nath
  Participant
  10 posts
  My Dexter got neutered this Friday, a week after someone got me a new baby bunny, Hamlet.
  
  I didn’t understand much about the process so I’ve put them together three or four times before Dexter was neutered (in a neuter place first) and it went really well (a part from the humping), they even cuddled once. When I read about bonding in here I stopped immediately. I planned to wait until Hamlet is neutered too so I can start the bonding process properly. Both cages are in my room and both bunnies get free time to run everywhere (including living room), but when one is free, the other one is inside his cage. Sometimes Dexter likes to lay down next to Hamlets’ cage, they smell each other through the grid, nothing else besides this.
  
  Today my husband forgot that they couldn’t be together and let Hamlet out of the cage when Dexter was in the room. He didn’t see how it started, but there was a fight and it was ugly, they made little high-pitched noises..? He can’t really explain but he got to separate the two before any of them got hurt.
  
  I already checked and both are fine, but I’m not sure what to do with the free time because the first thing Dexter does when he goes out is go next to Hamlet’s cage to poop and rub his chin everywhere. And earlier Hamlet went two times next to Dexter’s cage when he was inside and both of the times Dexter tried to attack him through the grid, he even snarled… and he’s normally so sweet…
  
  I know Dexter will stop with the territorial behavior after a while since the surgery was only this Friday, but I’m afraid the bonding is ruined forever? Hamlet is only 2 months old, I can’t neuter him yet, but even after that I’m afraid they won’t get used to each other.
  
  I really don’t know what to do… Somebody can help?
- 09/11/2016 at 5:53 PM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Both buns need different rooms, now. Youll want to keep them completely out of sight for the next two+ months, which shouldnt be a problem given that Hamlet is too young yet. In these two months, you have have to just hope that they will drop any grudges and for the best, you want to hope they forget one another. It could have ruined bonding forever, but thats not always the case; it depends on the rabbits personality and how well they are willing to cooperate
- 09/12/2016 at 8:41 AM
  Nath
  Participant
  10 posts
  Thank you for your help! It won’t be easy since I’ll have to choose one of them to stay out of my bedroom and they’re both used to run everywhere, but if it’s absolutely necessary I’ll have to do it
  
  Before reading this answer I was thinking the opposite actually, I thought about putting both cages a few inches apart so they can get used to one another again without being able to fight. Their cages were always in separated sides of the room. But I don’t understand much about bonding (clearly) so it would probably be a better idea to follow your advice.
- 09/12/2016 at 10:16 AM
  MrBun&Daisy
  Participant
  166 posts
  mikey is right-total separation. if you keep them together while they already have anger towards eachother they will just continue to build that grudge. plus you’ll have lots of territory marking to deal with. they need time to forget the fighting. if you were to leave them next to one another they would both just be stressed out and waiting for a chance to throw another punch.
- 09/12/2016 at 11:13 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Before they fought, keeping the cages closes was a good idea. But after a fight, and one that sounds like it was pretty bad (though not horrible), they need to try to forget one another. If they forget one another, after Hamlet is neutered, you can slowly work towards bonding them again. If they dont forget one another, there is a risk that they will constantly fight and wont want to bond in the slightest. It also helps if you have two buns who are willing to forgive. My oldest and my youngest got into a bad fight when first brought the new one home (accident similar to your situation), but all turned out fine after a bit over a month apart
- 09/12/2016 at 1:11 PM
  Nath
  Participant
  10 posts
  I’m actually feeling better and pretty confident after reading that you went through a similar situation <3 I'm gonna separate them until Hamlet is neutered, as you've suggested. It should give them 3 months, 2 until Hamlet can be neutered and one after he's neutered. Thank you so much for advising me!
- 09/14/2016 at 8:52 PM
  Nishi
  Participant
  48 posts
  You should separate them at least for the duration of Dexter’s recovery period. I had a similar situation, except I was instead waiting for my younger bun to recover from his neuter. They were doing good through the cage bars, they groomed each other and lay next to each other for months already. One day my younger bun somehow got loose while my older bun was having his free run. I didn’t completely separate them after this, and the next day my older bun bit the younger one in the face! I was really scared, but it turned out to be just a scrape. But– after separating for a few days, I started the bonding process and they are now happily bonded. It will turn out fine!
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