Bonding male rabbits seperated for 2 years

[Bunny_Rabbit]

My two male rabbits have been living separated for nearly two years due to a violent fight. Since then they have been neutered and have been living in the same room, but one is living in a large cage. 

For about a year and a half, they’ve been let out during the day into each others territories and there has been no issues with that. However, when one is in the room and one is in the cage in the same room, the one outside completely ignores the other, who often follows and copies whatever he’s doing. 

I’m not sure if the caged rabbit is being territorial or if he just really likes his friend considering he is always copying him? Sometimes he even eats the other rabbits fur through the cage bars, but no in an aggressive way, its very strange.

Anyways, I’m extremely nervous to bond them after the huge fight they had ): Any tips? 

Thanks!

[DanaNM]

When he “copies” him, is it mirroring behaviors? Or running along side the fence?

“Mirroring” behaviors is a good sign. This means when one bun grooms, the other grooms, when one eats, the other eats, etc. Could he be trying to groom him through the cage bars? That would also be a good sign.

If they are running along side the fence with each other, this is an aggressive sign. Do either of them mark all over the place when you switch their territories?

Time can heal most wounds, so if they are mirroring each other and not marking all over the place, I would start with pre-bonding for 4 weeks. Swap who is in what cage every day or two.

Then I would opt for a very neutral, large space (2 x-pens linked up works great) for your bonding sessions. The space you use if very important. As neutral as possible, even if it means taking them to a friends house or setting up a pen or two in your backyard.

Start with short sessions with defined time goals (anywhere from 1 – 5 minutes for first sessions), so you aren’t tempted to push it too far and have it turn to a fight.

Since they fought before, when they approach each other, pet them both lots so they think they are being groomed and to keep them calm. Do NOT allow them to fight! Especially early on, since they fought before, make sure they don’t get to that point.

Then you can start slowly increasing the amount of time in the sessions, but always set a time goal, and always end on a good note, even if that’s you petting them until they are calm.

. . . 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.  

[Author]

Messages