Nibbling when grooming - a bit much for Bert! Advice please!

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This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by sarahthegemini.

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- 02/27/2017 at 3:23 PM
  Anna
  Participant
  35 posts
  I’m bonding a ladybun, Gail, with my houserabbit Bertie. We’re about 5 days in and we’ve seen some progress, although we’re still having various scraps. Bert is pretty nervy around her, I think because he was bullied in his last home and has lived alone for about six months.
  
  I think one of the issues is that Gail is quite rough when grooming, and she tends to go straight for the eyes which freaks out Bert and he lunges at her. When I pet her she has started nibbling me too (which is quite painful even though she’s not breaking the skin!). And when Bert does let her groom him, I can hear her teeth chattering as she’s cleaning him.
  
  I think she’s just being enthusiastic, but it’s all a bit much for nervous Bertie!
  
  Has anyone had a similar experience, or have any ideas of how to either calm her down a bit, or make him more comfortable with her?
  
  I know it’s partly just a case of persistence with bonding, but it’s so hard watching them scrapping!
- 03/01/2017 at 11:08 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  I honestly think you’ll just have to be patient and let them learn to talk to each other! I read somewhere (maybe here!) that rabbits don’t speak rabbit, so part of bonding is letting them communicate with each other through their body language, and only intervening to prevent fighting. 5 days is really no time at all for them to get to know each other.
  
  Not sure what you mean by “scapping”, but if you see them circling or chasing, definitely intervene.
  
  A trick to let your girl know she’s hurting you is to make the bunny “scream” noise when she nips you (it’s terrible to hear a bunny make it, but it’s basically a high pitched EEEEEEK). Bunnies nip each other through fur, so often don’t even get skin, so making that noise let’s her know she hurt you. My girl used to nip occasionally, and I made that noise once, and she hasn’t nipped me in years!
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 03/03/2017 at 5:41 AM
  Anna
  Participant
  35 posts
  Thank you for the advice!
  
  We’re definitely making progress, and I know I’m being impatient! I just can’t wait to see them happily living together.
  
  And thanks for the idea to stop her biting. I feel bad stopping her as she obviously thinks she’s being nice, but hopefully we can find a way of her showing love that doesn’t leave me bruised!
  
  x
- 03/03/2017 at 7:21 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Aw, Gail sounds so sweet. Tbh I think if she’s hurting poor Bertie, it’s up to him to let her know it’s too much. I’m not sure what you could do that would stop her over grooming without stopping her from grooming altogether. Hopefully Bert will give her a little nip to let her know she needs to calm down.
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