Bunny no longer liking her breader

[Bunny love]

My one bunny always loved her breader when she would come and visit. After she was spayed things changed. Two times when she would come and visit the one bunny would become aggressive towards her sister and would end up fighting. This past week when she came the one bunny would not even want to be near her. And when I picked her up to come see her She ended up biting her hand. It surprised both of us. After she left there was no fighting between the two bunnies this time . Is it possible that the one bunny is afraid of her due to the scents of the other rabbits? Does she think she is a giant rabbit? Don’t understand that she was always friendly with her and now? My buns will be one year in May. They are house buns and not caged. They love all the grandkids and are very friendly with them and my husband and I

[Mikey]

The bunnies are not bonded so theyre fighting. The breeder smells like her own rabbit(s), so your rabbit is attacking her as well. Its not that either rabbit is afraid, its that neither are bonded together.

[Bunny love]

How could they not be bonded. They are the only two from the same litter. They have always been together even when they got spayed. They have always been grooming each other and sleep together. They have never been separated. So I don’t understand not being bonded. Could you explain

[Sirius&Luna]

If rabbits fight, they are not bonded, it is that simple.

Just because two rabbits came from the same litter, it doesn’t mean they’re bonded. Bonding is a process you have to go through, it doesn’t just happen. Often two rabbits that are litter mates are nice to each other until they get hormonal, then they start fighting. You’re lucky that yours didn’t, but it seems like smelling other rabbits on the breeder made your two start fighting.

[Mikey]

Rabbits dont see family like people do. There are no family ties. To them, all other rabbits are strangers and invaders. Theyre fighting, because you two are allowing them to invade the others territory. Theyre fighting to protect their territory. Since the breeder is still known as a breeder, she likely smells like other rabbits as well; other rabbits yours isnt bonded to, causing yours to act out, again, in territorial instinct.

The bonding process is a long one and first needs to undergo prebonding and all rabbits involved need to be spayed/neutered and given two+ months to heal. Until this happens, the rabbits will always fight when allowed.

Im a little confused; how many rabbits do you have and is the breeder bringing over any rabbits?

[Bunny love]

I have two bunnies that I have had since last June. They where spayed in late September. They have always gotten along till after they where spayed. About 3 months after being spayed and the breader came over to see them was the first time they fought but only for a few minutes and no major injuries. I did not separate them and they where fine. Then she can again about a month ago and after she left they went at it again for just a few minutes and all was ok. Then just two days ago she came to bring me eggs and that is when the one bit her. She does not bring any rabbits. We think that they just smell all the other rabbits on her. She does help me when we go away. So she will still come but she will not interact with them. Just feed them and make sure they ok.

[Deleted User]

They didn’t go through the proper bonding process, which is why they have fights when the breeder comes over. The smell of other unaltered bunnies on her makes their issues come out, even if there aren’t many. There bond wasn’t ever really cemented because they were just put together. Even if they were bonded-bonded, the smell of an unaltered bunny can break their bond. It has happened numerous times on this forum. A bonded pair will “breakup” once they smell an unaltered bunny in the mix. It brings out those territorial and aggressive behaviors all over again.

[Bunny love]

Sounds reasonable. Is there anything I should do ? They seem to be fine now. Best buddies.

[Deleted User]

Can you keep them in a different room when the breeder is over? As long as they smell her unaltered bunnies its going to keep happening and creating problems. The main problem is if they ever get in a bad enough fight where they start holding a grudge against each other. It’ll make them really not get along or trusting of each other.

[Wick & Fable]

I do want to note that while I do not have bonded rabbits, I’ve read on these forums that rabbits with poorly-bonded relationships do not constantly fight or bully each other. There can be cuddling and sleeping together as well, but it’s a much more tumultuous and sensitive relationship when other factors come into play, like being away from each other for a while, smelling another rabbit, or even a slow development of overdemanding/under-reciprocation of grooming which leads to some strain.

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.

[Deleted User]

It doesn’t sound like they were bonded, which is why they erupt into these little episodic fights. Bonding is a process of building trust and cementing that mutual feeling. Keeping them together just because they didn’t fight doesn’t mean they are “bonded”. Think of it this way: it’s kind of like two people in a very new relationship moved in together. They may like each other, but they lack a certain sense of security. Things can be good sometimes, but when things get rough it’s likely to be quite a topsy-turvy relationship.

[Bunny love]

They have the run of the house. When she comes over they usually go hide in one of there many spots which the breeder knows where they are. She use to go get them to hug and cuddle them or play with them. But now she said she will just come in and clean the litter box and feed them and leave them alone. Making sure they are ok. We don’t go away that often so I think that will be ok as long as she doesn’t touch them

[Bunny love]

If they are not bonded correctly how do I do it now?

[Deleted User]

Keeping them completely separate at all times. Potentially even in different rooms so they can re-get-to-know each other on more even footing. After a month of this you can keep them in enclosures side by side and prebond for another month. Swapping their litter boxes between them and other items with their scents as well as swapping them between enclosures. After a month of prebonding you can start doing short sessions on neutral territory. Start with 10 minute sessions and the more positive behavior they show increase it by 10 minutes. After an hour of positive behavior you can start increasing by hour increments. The goal is to go 24-48 hours without any incidents that way they can start living together again.

They’ve been together for a long time, so they should be a relatively easy bond.

[Mikey]

That makes more sense, thank you for clarifying I think its a mix of both: not being properly bonded and the breeder smelling like other rabbits (ie, intruders/invaders/strangers). When either of your rabbits smell her, they go after one another thinking they are the stranger and go after your friend because she smells the strongest of the intruders.

I wouldnt even go as far as to put them into different rooms since their fighting isnt bad. They do each need their own space (cage, pen, or cage+pen), though. To prebond, everyday youll swap the bunny (first day: bunny1 into cage1 + bunny2 into cage2, second day: bunny1 into cage2 + bunny2 into cage1, third day: bunny1 into cage1 + bunny2 into cage2, etc). Allow them to mark as much as they want to, and try to avoid cleaning too often. Prebonding allows the rabbits to swap scents and learn to share territory. Youll do this for a month or two.

For bonding, I would follow what A&B wrote

[Bunny love]

Thank you all for your information. For now I will leave them alone. My vet which is one for rabbits says it is due to the smells of the other non spayed or non neutered bunnies. Since they are fine around everyone else including my daughters dog she says they should be fine. Just don’t have the breeder handle them or be around for long. If they start fighting without her being around I will then separate them. The vet says because they are always grooming each other separating may cause anxiety.

[Deleted User]

I think it’s quite unwise to leave them alone. Yes, it is good that they are ok when the breeder is not around, but now you know that they fight when triggered. Bonded rabbits shouldn’t be fighting at the drop of a hat…. You don’t have to separate them completely, but I really suggest that you work with them on solidifying their bond.

There have been stories here of rabbits that were “bonded” the same way you describe, by just being left together. Then something sets them off and they have terrible fights. If that happens, their “bond” might be permanently damaged. Rabbit fights can get vicious very quick. One member had one of her males rip off another male’s testicles….

I strongly advise you to AT LEAST work with them if you refuse to take steps back in the bonding process. For their own safety, please.

[Author]

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