Bonded Bunnies recently fight !

[Rit]

I have a pair of bonded mini lop bunnies they get along so well since the beginning. Both are male and spayed. One is 1 year 5 months old , another one is 5 months old.

They were bonded since the beginning , groomed for each other, sleep next to each other. Just recently they fought for 2 times.  the 5 months old Snowball started the fight. Do another knows why?

5 months old Snowball is always a shy boy, not brave enough to walk on hard floor, pee everywhere. 1.5 years old Fluffy is gentle and smart.

they are not sick, eating and drinking well. Not sure why… anyone can help? Thanks

 

[Wick & Fable]

(Edit: Written after overlooking both your rabbits are fixed; still somewhat applicable, and I reply later on with the correction!)

It is likely because of your 5mo Snowball– what they had was a baby bond, which is also known as the false bond. A baby bond involves at least one young rabbit and essentially the bond is held together by the fact that the young rabbit is not yet experiencing hormonal urges, therefore the rabbits are able to get along. Now that Snowball is reaching sexual maturity and experiencing territorial, mating, and general other urges, they need to be separated permanently until Snowball is fixed, 1 month afterwards to ensure recovery and dissipation of hormones, and then you can begin the formal bonding process for two rabbits: https://binkybunny.com/infocategory/bonding/

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.

[DanaNM]

@Wick I think the OP mentioned they are castrated? @Rit how long ago was Snowball neutered (the term for castrating in male animals is neutering, spaying is for females)? And how long have you had them?

Since Snowball is only 5 months, i suspect that Wick&Fable is correct, likely there are some hormonal fluctuations after Snowball’s neuter that have shifted the dominance a bit.

 

. . . 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.  

[Wick & Fable]

Ah thanks Dana– I apologize for skim reading and overlooking that mention. Indeed, I do still think that hormones may still be at play if the neuter was recent, so I agree with your appraisal Dana!

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.

[Rit]

@Dana,

I got the then from a shelter 2 months ago. They were adopted together as they are bonded .

They were so good in last 2 months, just recently they started to fight.
They were desexed in the shelter 2 months ago …

 

@ Wick, Snowball still go through hormone problems even he was desexed? Is it possible that they can get along well again after formal bonding process ?

Thanks for your replies. This forum is so helpful especially to new bunnies mum like me. Thanks

 

[DanaNM]

Ah, this is helpful! My guess is that the combo of hormone changes post-neuter and moving to a new home just upset things enough to cause problems. I think you should be able to rebond them since it doesn’t sound like the fighting was too terrible?

I would separate them (if you haven’t already) and give them a few weeks to cool off. Then you can start pre-bonding (living side by side and swap sides every day or two) for a few weeks. Then you can start working with them in a completely neutral space. Hopefully they will go back together with out too much effort!

 

. . . 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.  

[Rit]

Thanks Dana, have separated them and hopefully they can rebonded again .

[Author]

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