Bonded bunnies chasing

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 10 months ago by Anna.

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- 01/08/2018 at 7:58 AM
  Anna
  Participant
  35 posts
  My two free-range housebuns have been bonded for around 9 months but recently Bertie has been aggressive with Gail. He has become territorial about the area under the coffee table, and will chase her off grunting. But then a moment later they’ll be snuggling in the exact same spot! They went through a short phase of full-on fighting, with fur flying and biting, but this has calmed down since I took them to stay with family over Christmas.
  
  I’m worried they have a fragile bond, especially as I don’t have space to separate them without putting one in a cage.
  
  Does anyone have advice about strengthening their bond?
- 01/08/2018 at 10:19 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  A bit of chasing can be normal so long as that’s all it is but as yours also fought, I personally wouldn’t feel confident leaving them together. Do you know what triggered the fight? Was it territorial?
- 01/08/2018 at 10:45 AM
  Anna
  Participant
  35 posts
  It was just after they had been boarded while I was on holiday that they started acting up, so I think it was a result of them feeling unsettled. Gail developed stasis – not sure if this was the cause of the bad behaviour or a result of it, but it improved once she was feeling better. I did initially separate them, but my bunny-savvy vet (Nadine at the RVC) recommended I keep them together as they have plenty of space, and they soon calmed down. They haven’t been that bad since, but I’m worried Gail might get get stressed/sick again if Bert keeps bullying her!
  
  We were away over Christmas, so I wonder if I should wait it out – they might still be feeling unsettled? I might also try distracting them with lots of things to explore and chew.
  
  Thank you for the advice – it’s always good to get a second opinion!
- 01/08/2018 at 11:08 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  How long were they boarded outside of the home? If they were gone for a long time, it couldve caused a lot of stress on them and couldve caused a sliver in their bond. Especially if you took them with you out of the home again after they had been boarded. Hes not so much bullying her as he is trying to get their hierarchy totem back on track after coming home. At the board and at your family’s home, they didnt have a territory/everything was neutral, but at home they do have a territory. Because they have a territory, theyll try to figure out who is alpha and who is the submissive one again. Its not a broken bond, but a bond that took a stressful hit and needs reassurance.
  
  Personally, I would try some low stress stress sessions. So mooshing them together between your legs and petting them both for a few minutes, or putting them in a very small space (using a pen) and pet them both for a little while.
- 01/08/2018 at 11:26 AM
  Anna
  Participant
  35 posts
  They were out for two weeks in early November. Whilst it was a specialist small furries boarding place (who were brilliant), it must have been stressful, and they are used to me being around a lot at home. I felt so guilty leaving them but needed a holiday!
  
  That sounds like good advice – thank you
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