About to have a nervous breakdown…

[Anastasia]

I’m new here, and have joined because my husband is about ready to be done with our rabbits.  So I’m going to launch into a longer explanation:

Two months ago, I decided I wanted to adopt a rabbit from the humane society (I raised them growing up for 4-H and missed them).  So I went and found a decent sized girl who looks a bit like a Palomino.  Someone had just decided they didn’t want her anymore and had released her outside to fend for herself.  Her name is Marmalade.  She very quickly picked up the litterbox and we really had no accidents at all.  She got free reign to our downstairs level pretty quickly.  Within about a week, she discovered the cords.  ALL the cords.  I think we’ve replaced every cord in this house at least once now.  And they’re all covered at this point.  Somewhere I read that two bunnies are less destructive than one, which leads me to Alfie…

A hobby farmer friend of mine asked if I wanted a free french angora rabbit (I’m a knitter and aspiring spinner), so I said yes.  She brought over the litter, Marmalade took to them all, but seemed to keep going back to one in particular.  So we kept him.  They bonded immediately.  They snuggled ALL the time.  Alfie is obsessed with Marmalade.  Marm is a bit more independent but likes the cuddles.

Alfie was not neutered because he was too young.  This presented a problem because it was a MESS to keep clean, and we were trying to keep them both confined to my office at night (where we’ve got a fancy hutch), and then Marmalade could have free reign during the day.  Eventually, she started to regress in her litter training, but only in my office (downstairs, she’s still stellar).  We finally got Alfie neutered, and he doesn’t spray anymore, but he’s abysmal at the litter box.  This became an issue because we have a 111 year old home, and certain urine spots were starting to eat away at the original hardwoods.  So we had to do something.

Last week, I set up an x-pen in my office, with interlocking foam tiles, their hutch, and a little fence that was about 8′ x 4′.  I put 3 litterboxes in it, along with loads of hay in each litterbox, and plenty of toys.  I then had to leave for the weekend, leaving my husband in charge of the bunnies.

I came home tonight to a disaster in the pen.  It was FULL of bunny fur.  Enough to definitely assume there had been fighting (which I’ve never seen them do).  My husband said they had been going crazy, but the bunnies are not his territory so that was about as involved as he got.  We’ve since had a talk because it turns out that Marmalade took a chunk out of one of Alfie’s ears.  I don’t know if she’s just a bull-headed problem rabbit, or maybe just stressed at her new lack of space.   

I’ve done everything backwards, I know.  I should have started with an x-pen, verified the litter box training, and then given free-reign.  I was very naive about how this was all going to go.  I nearly cried at seeing Alfie’s poor little ear.  My husband is over them.  I am hoping and praying this is just the growing pains of new animals, because I don’t have the heart to get rid of them or cage them more often.  I really don’t.  Is there any advice/words of wisdom/feedback that you can offer?  I would be so indebted!!

[dnelle]

First off, I am so sorry you’re having this experience, it must be so stressful. I think you should definitely separate these bunnies. Having had a fight like that, they need some time to cool off. I am no bonding expert, but from what I understand bonding is a long process that can begin around a month after a bunny is neutered and the proper pre-bonding (such as swapping cages and litterboxes) has been done. There is tons of info in the bonding section on this site, and even just reading threads of other’s experiences can be really helpful. Many people are under the misconception that you can just put two bunnies together, but this leads to unstable bonds that can break out in fighting. I really think your buns can get along and can improve litterbox habits with some time and effort. Also, it sometimes takes a month or even longer for hormones to calm down after a neuter, so you may just need to be patient with little Alfie. I truly wish you the best of luck and hope your little buns are bffs soon enough!

[jerseygirl]

Having rabbits can certainly be a steep learning curve!

It does sound as if you are dealing with some bunny hormones and territorial behaviour. No fun for any rabbit owner. But it should pass. You will hopefully see some improvements with Alfie, now he is neutered. But there can be some weeks post-neuter that is worst then ever. I’d say Marmalade is marking territory in the office. Alfies smell would have changed when his hormones arrived. It also commonly causes a breakdown in how 2 buns are getting along. A baby doesn’t always truly bond with another baby or adult rabbit. Some can come through the puberty period and remain close, but most often, people see what you have. Your best bet is separating them for now, then start bonding again in about a months time. You will likely need to start out in a neutral area where Marmalade hasnt been.

At top of page is Bunny Info tab and there is a section there about Bonding. I suggest start there and familiarise yourself with the process. All is not lost! It just takes some time. It can be a challenging time and inconvenient to have them housed separately but keep in mind it won’t always be like that.

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