aggression

[Bugs & Bear]

I have two brothers, Bugs and Bear, from the same litter. They were both neutered a month ago and are best friends, and if separated they both will throw a tantrum! My flat mate has 2 rabbits, a boy named Billy (neutered) and girl, and on the odd occasion when Billy has come over to Bugs, they have fought and Bugs will take it out on his brother, but they quickly will make up and bugs will lick his brother and cuddle up to him. But today Bugs has attacked, and quite viciously, 7 times. I have separated them every time, as quickly as I could and ended up putting Bugs outside and left Bear inside. On the 7th time I thought maybe I should let them fight it out if they are just sorting out a dominance issue. But very quickly I decided against that and separated them, getting injured in the process. Bear is so scared of Bugs now, and wont come out from under my bed, but I have checked both all over and no one is injured, just a lot of missing fur! Has anyone got any ideas as to why Bugs is attacking Bear? Or how to stop/prevent it? Its so sudden, I have no idea where it has come from! I really don’t want to separate them, but if I cant figure out whats causing this, I will have to, as I have uni and I cant trust Bugs not to attack Bear while I’m away during the day, and defiantly don’t want either of them hurt or worse!

Any help will be much appreciated!!

[Peony]

Maybe the smell of that other bunny got in the way of things, seems like a tricky situation.

[LBJ10]

Sometimes the presence of a strange rabbit is enough to break the bond between a previously bonded pair. I would do what you can to “remove” the stranger from their living area. Even their scent can trigger a fight. I’m suggesting this because I assume you do not want to bond all of the bunnies. You know, in case you or your friend decides to move out sometime in the future. You don’t want to split up bonded bunnies.

[Author]

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