Confusing Bonding Experience

[Firefly1983]

Hoping we can get some help with our current rabbit bonding episodes.

We recently had 2 dwarf rabbits, the female we rescued, and the bonding between the two went quickly. Within roughly 2-3 weeks they were together and inseparable for almost 2 years. Sadly, our baby boy passed.

We rescued a Lionhead/Polish male as a companion for her. Unfortunately, we did not allow her to choose her mate as we were concerned she would attack them.

In the beginning, she would watch him relentlessly when he was out of his cage and if he got close she would nip him and pull fur occasionally. After a thorough check he never seemed to be harmed physically. He ignored her and spent his days discovering the living room.

They each had their own cage, and when the bonding sessions began a few weeks later it was done in the bathroom which was neutral territory.

She would grunt and try to nip at him and was not interested in taking treats and also was very tense. He wanted to be close to her, but she wouldn’t let him.

It’s been about a month and we have noticed some great improvements in her, however he appears to be doing the opposite. We moved the bonding experience to the tub and we noticed that they would start to huddle together, she even would groom him and they are both at the point where they would take treats within inches from each other. She even steals his treats, which is something she did with her previous companion.

However, these sessions typically always have a nipping or boxing event take place. Sometimes she starts it and sometimes he does. He does appear to get a bit fidgety when his face is near her’s, almost as if he’s scared she’ll nip him.

Here’s the sort of confusing part – When one is in their cage and the other one is out and about they will often sit beside the others cage for hours! Sometimes they will even groom themselves and lay down beside each other. They appear to be really comfortable, however the moment we put them together, things seem ok and then she’ll reach out to nip him (sometimes not making contact) and he’ll box in retaliation.

Not sure if it is just them trying to hash out who is going to be dominant, or perhaps he is too young to realize how to interact with another rabbit?

Starting to feel a bit discouraged that they will never get along, however we have seen drastic improvements from the first time we brought him home. Any help anyone is able to provide will be gladly accepted.

[LBJ10]

If they aren’t really hurting each other, then it is usually best to let them work things out. You may also want to try some stress bonding to get them more used to comforting each other.

[Firefly1983]

For the most part they aren’t, which is good.

Sometimes they do get into some weird boxing matches and she ends up eating his fur. There have been a couple of times when they were out in the main living room area together and they attack each other and boxed so much that they were jumping in the air. Was almost the equivalent of a cartoon dust cloud with paws randomly shooting from it.  

We are hoping to do a car ride with both of them tomorrow.

Thanks for your help!

[Author]

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