Can a bond break?

[Sydney]

So I have to female bunnies that have been together since they were babbies. Recently I’ve noticed my little one was missing fur. She’s very friendly and greets me but now she cowers away from everything. So I decided to move their cage into the living room to keep an eye on them and to my shock the biggest one was attacking her! She would pin her to the ground and rip fur from her! I’ve separated them and charlotte looks more relaxed now that she’s not being attacked. But willow won’t eat she looks sad now. I don’t want to put her back because of her aggression. I need some advice please!

[RabbitPam]

Yes, sadly, being together from birth does not create a bond. This is actually very common as they grow up and reach the aggressive teenagers stage. You need to start over bonding them as if they were strangers, but cheer up – it will probably work if you do it slowly and carefully. (See the info. section for bonding advice).
Even though you know they are both females, it would be wise to have them both neutered. It will tone down their aggression, and it will prevent both of them from getting cancer in later years, which is terrible to happen to a beloved bunny. If you can get them both done, or have the more aggressive one done first, then wait a month, you can begin bonding them. Best to have both done soon and let them heal simultaneously then start a new bonding process.

Keep them separated for now. Supervise them, have them eat and sleep separately, but keep their scents on their areas so they can continue to be used to each others’ presence in the house. I know it’s hard to have separate spaces for two that were together, but if you get something like an xpen to keep one in, you will be able to use it as an extended play area later on after their bonded. Or if one is still small, a medium sized cage can be temporary, then used later in case of emergency, or as a travel cage if you go away from home or leave them with someone else.

I know it sounds like a slow process, but it’s possible that if the vet can do the spays soon you may have two bonded bunnies again within 3-4 months if they decide to get along, and then years of happy, healthy bunnies once more.

[Mikey]

Sounds like neither are spayed? Hormonal rabbits are very aggressive, territorial, and will fight to the death. Good on you for separating them when you saw what was happening. Note two things: 1) Every fight and panic caused by another rabbit heavily limits the ability to bond in the future; depending on possible grudges and fear, they may never bond again; and 2) Hormones can take up to six months to drain after being spayed, so keep them apart during this time and continue on with keep their cages near like RabbitPam mentioned, and I would suggest swapping cages every few days a month after theyve been spayed so that they can swap scents in their territories.

As for your rabbit who isnt not eating, VET ASAP! Not eating for 24+ hours can end in death for a rabbit if not treated as soon as possible

[Sydney]

Thank you for the help! I haven’t had them spayed, but I’m definitely going to talk to my vet about it!

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