Brother Bunnies Bonding

[heather]

I have two holland lop littermates that just turned about five months old. I’m getting them neutered this coming tuesday and would love some advice ASAP. 

Neutering where I live is a little expensive, and as a full time college student working part time, its a lot of money. I can afford both neuters, but I can’t lie and say that isnt a factor. 

These boys were playing and getting along, grooming each other, flopping, etc., for the five weeks I’ve had them, then all of a sudden I noticed they aren’t necessarily fighting, but they are having little dominance tussles, and I think it’s nearing aggression. In the middle of the night you can hear them chasing after each other as they try and hump one another. I’ve even heard one thumping his foot, which I was told is a sign of annoyance or aggression while the other one tried to hump him. 

I’ve had some success bonding to one, but the other one won’t come out of the cage at all during bonding playing times, and never has for five weeks. I’ll sit there for hours, and one of the bunnies will come out and play around and allows me to pet him a little bit now. The bunny that hides in the cage the most has also been having the most problems adjusting I think- he digs the most for no reason, shovels stuff out of his litter box, and runs and hides at the mere sight of me or my SO no matter how gentle we try to be with him. He’ll let me hand feed him, but only in his cage. 

That being said, I’m already so attached to both of them, but with all the aggression recently, I’m starting to worry about bonding them back together after their neutering. I talked to the lady I got them from and she’s willing to take the timid one back, because I think, and she agrees, that he might need a more experienced home (I’m a first time bunny owner). I would hate to tear brothers apart, but I can’t imagine how it’ll be like if they try and hurt each other once we put them back together because I’ve heard bonding boys is notoriously hard even if they are litter mates. 

If I invest all this money (like in the hundreds) to get them both neutered, and they don’t bond I don’t know what I’ll do. But the thought of parting with one of them is already tearing me apart. I would love some advice and maybe some tips on how to bond brothers, and how to bond timid bunnies to you. 

Thank you so much in advance, Im desperate for any advice. 

[sarahthegemini]

You need to separate them immediately or you’re just asking for trouble. Seperate, get them neutered and then then pre bond for a while before a physical introduction. Doesn’t matter if neutering is expensive, it’s essential.

[Deleted User]

As for the timid one, all it takes is time. It doesn’t require you being an experienced bunny owner. Asriel was incredibly shy the first two months he was with my husband and I. He would hardly come out of his cage and when he did he would huddle in a corner until it was time to go back in his cage. Slowly he started coming out of his shell. After 3 months he started allowing head rubs, then laying down next to him, then he would stay for long periods of time. 4.5 months since we’ve had him, and now he doesn’t stop coming up to us asking for love. He’ll climb all over us and lick me and binky everywhere. Patience NOT experience.

[Author]

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