Excessive mounting & fur pulling in bonded pair

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 10 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 01/17/2023 at 3:00 PM
  Cazza108
  Participant
  7 posts
  Hi everyone,
  
  I have a pair of bunnies (both aged 3). They have been bonded for about a year with no issues.
  
  Out of nowhere, the male bunny Bailey is excessively mounting his female partner Cooper, and pulling out hair on her back. The only thing I can relate this to is it started soon after his vaccines.
  
  They go back to lying together and grooming each other soon after but it is quite disagreeing to see a bald patch developing on Cooper’s back.
  
  Could anyone advise on this?
  
  Many thanks!
- 01/17/2023 at 5:38 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  Hmmm, vet visits can sometimes trigger issues due to one rabbit smelling weird. Other triggers can be illness in one rabbit or seasonal changes (longer days can trigger some hormonal behaviors). If both rabbits seem healthy and things tend to resolve on their own (don’t turn to a fight) without you intervening, it’s best to just monitor and let them sort it out. It may help to bring them to a neutral territory for some bonding sessions to help them sort things out a bit more calmly.
  
  . . . 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.
- 01/17/2023 at 7:31 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17026 posts
  Obsessive humping can sometimes be a sign of stress.
- 01/18/2023 at 2:36 AM
  Cazza108
  Participant
  7 posts
  Thankyou so much for the replies! I can’t think of anything that would’ve caused stress apart from the vet trip but that was about a month ago.
  
  I’ll definitely try some neutral bonding again!
- 01/18/2023 at 7:28 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  A final thought is that excessive mounting can also be a symptom of a urinary problem. Sometimes sludge or stones can cause irritation to the urinary tract that triggers mounting. One of my buns will mount more when he gets more calcium in his diet as well. If the neutral space doesn’t help I would have him checked out by the vet just to be sure!
  
  . . . 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.
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