Are my buns unbonding?

[Taylor Jade]

I have a bonded pair who has been bonded for about two years. About a year ago they had a bit of a falling out after we moved, and this forced me to rebond them. Ever since it’s been just fine! Snuggles and bunny love all around.

Until this week! Our neutered boy, Nut has started to very lazily follow our girl Ruth and attempt to mount her. She flees quickly and hides. I can tell she doesn’t like it. It’s hard for me to tell if this is a bad behavior because Nut gives up easily. He also isn’t chasing her with any haste. It’s just so slow and not directly aggressive. I don’t know if I should separate? I don’t want it to become anything worse.

Help/tips much appreciated ??

[DanaNM]

Hi there,

So, my pair does this (the slow chase… but never any actual mounting, and nothing ever comes from it… they always end up snuggling right after), but they have always done it, so it doesn’t worry me too much. In your case though, it’s not so much that the behavior itself is bad, but rather the change that I think is worth paying attention to.

The last time they had their falling out, what types of behaviors did you see? It’s possible they might just need some bonding sessions to re-cement things.

Any changes to your household? Maybe a new pet or housemate? Sometimes changes to a bond can be due to a medical problem with one bun. Also, is your female spayed? If not, then that would be the most likely cause.

. . . 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.  

[jerseygirl]

An additional question; how old is Nut?

My neutered boy (now passed away) started some mounting behaviour around age 5 or 6.
His bondmate was not impressed but just hopped away and he didn’t persist. He’d try again and she’d move (rinse, repeat). After she passed, he bonded with another desexed female. He didn’t really act humpy in the bonding process but he did mount her throughout rest of his life time. She was a lot bigger and it didn’t bother her overly. I always gave the girls a spot they could go hang out if he became too much. Some where they could sit up higher with only enough space for one bunny.
He was easily deterred and just went to nap or munch on hay.

[Taylor Jade]

Hi Dana,

Thanks for your input. I don’t know if it’s a negative behavior so I’m going to keep monitoring. Ruth is spayed. The only thing I could think is we moved 3 months ago, but they’ve been fine in the new house for those three months. I’m not sure what could’ve happened this week.

As for their last falling out – it was more like aggressive. I could tell Ruth was constantly stressed or hiding from Nut. A lot more thumping too. This time is seems like just annoying not aggressive!

[Taylor Jade]

Hi Jerseygirl,

Nut is about 5.5 years old so maybe that has something to do with it. Ruth is about 3 years old. I guess I just don’t know when to worry and I want to protect Ruth if she needs space from him.

Do you think I just monitor and see if it gets more/less aggressive?

[DanaNM]

That’s interesting Jersey! Bun Jovi and Bertha’s dynamic is similar. He will pester her, but never actually gets the nerve to mount, and she doesn’t seem that bothered.

Taylor, I think monitoring is a safe bet for now. If the slow chases resolve on their own without conflict, then I wouldn’t worry. Especially if they live in a big enough area that she can get away from him if she wants to. If it starts increasing in frequency or Ruth seems really distressed by it, then you might want to do some bonding sessions.

. . . 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.  

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