Female and male neutering

[Emgee]

Hello!!

I am a new bunny mum so sorry if any of what I say seems obvious!!

I have Simba (male) and Nala (female) who are two mini lops from the same breeder but two different litters. They’ve been together ever since I have had them and are adorable and love each other!

Here’s where I need advice. So on Thursday, both Simba and Nala were neutered. On the nurse’s advice, I kept them together in their indoor cage. (They’re not outside yet as vet said it takes 3 weeks to be completely immune to their jabs). I had to take Nala to the vets the next day due to issues with toileting and took Simba too as they’re besties!! She is now well.

When we got home, about three hours later, they had a fight. I think maybe Simba tried to mount and she didn’t not take too kindly too that, obviously!!

They are now separated in the cage by wire mesh. I have had them out to play together and Nala will chase Simba, who grunts at her. No more fights and if anything, he’s wary of her.

I need advice on what to do next. When should I put them outside together as their immunity period is up as of tomorrow. I don’t want to remove the mesh at night or put them in the outside cage together if there is a risk they will fight! Equally, I don’t want them to be apart for ages as they’re lovely together and will have to divide the cage and one will be without a run.

Please can someone advise me on best way to move forward with them. I have the vets tomorrow so will ask them, but always best to ask bunny owner experts!!

[12345ABCDE]

You need to separate them and bond them properly when they are both healed and their hormones have disipated.

[Emgee]

How long does this usually take? Thank you

[Emgee]

I took Simba out to clean and Nala has snuck into his side!! She keeps binkying in his side of the cage and keeps laying down and almost rubbing on his hay?

[Bam]

It takes about a month. They are still friends, but because they are newly desexed, they will have hormonal surges for some time now, and that can cause fighting and mating behaviors. This means they can be the best of friends one minute and at each others’ throats the next. The can really hurt each other if they fight, and their bond can suffer irreparable damage, so its absolutely best you separate. Keep them in the same room, so they can hear and smell and preferably see each other, but not have physical contact.

[Emgee]

Thank you both for your advice. They are now in two cages next to each so can hear/see/smell and will swap them around the cages. Looking forward to them being pals again!!

[Bam]

Good job! I’m sure they’re looking forward to that too (although buns are perhaps not really aware of the long term perspective). They just can’t help themselves now, they are on their individual hormonal roller coasters right now.

[12345ABCDE]

Posted By Emgee on 8/07/2017 6:54 AM

Thank you both for your advice. They are now in two cages next to each so can hear/see/smell and will swap them around the cages. Looking forward to them being pals again!!

Hopefully it will be a nice easy bond! Do you have any experience with bonding? If not, check out the bonding section of the forum. A lot of advice and tips on there for when the time comes

Btw, love the names. The lion king is my favourite Disney movie ever. My mum has a German shepherd called Nala 

[Bam]

Sarah, my bridge GSD was called Nala

[12345ABCDE]

Posted By bam on 8/07/2017 8:51 AM

Sarah, my bridge GSD was called Nala

I think Nala suits GSD’s well Simba makes a good cat name. 

[Emgee]

I will have a look at the bonding pages, thanks for the heads up! Always only had one rabbit at a time when I was growing up, so will be sure to read up on the best ways of bonding.

Thank you! Lion King is also my favourite, so couldn’t resist!!

Thank you both again for your help, much appreciated xx

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