For Pete’s Sake

[angelfish312]

 Recently I have adopted a bun for my current one Winter. We took her to our shelter and had a few dates. Eventually we decided on a adult female that Winter was the most comfortable around. They both sat next to each other and groomed themselves and everything. I expected a little tension once we brought the new bun home but this is rediculus. When we put them in the tub together they huddled and actually Bunny (the new bun) groomed Winter for a moment. However everytime we take it to the next step of being on the floor spereated they would attack eachother through the bars. It has just escalated from there. Winter has no incisors so thank god because if she did Bunny wouldn’t have any fur left on her bum. I just am at my wits end. It has come so far as to each bun is seperated at all times and the one time that we tried the tub again it was just a fur ball fight. What can I do to atleast ease the tension? I am prepared to live with 2 buns seperated but it would be nice to atleast be able to have them both out seperated by a barrier without them trying to rip eachothers fur out.

[bunnyfriend]

I am sorry that things have been rough! 

They’re both spayed, so that’s already covered. The only things I can think of right now is maybe try the tub again but use distractions. Do they have favorite treats like banana? Sometimes food causes aggression but I found that it had the opposite effect on my bunnies, I made sure each had a good pile in front of them.

Also, have you tried stress bonding them? Are they scared of the sound of the vacuum or music? You can also try putting them in a carrier and driving around in the car.

Hang in there! I hope something gets worked out soon. I’m sure others here on BB will have some good advice for you.

[angelfish312]

Winter is absolutely in love with dried cranberrys and I have not found anything that really makes Bunny go crazy yet. That might work because Winter is one tracked minded when she even smells them coming. Unfortunitly I have tried stress bonding. I have put them in a box together and gently shook them around and every time one would nip the other I would start shaking again. I hoped that they would realize that bad things happen when they nip. Once again new ideas usually work the first time around but usually by the third time they seem to ignore everything and just have eyes for biting each other.

[Elrohwen]

So the main problem is that they are attacking through cage bars? Or are they also attacking while they are in the tub?

Also, I’m going to move this to the bonding forum.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I’ve taken both girls (with ski gloves on) and pushed them together, kinda held them down, and then pet them together and also groomed them with a damp paper towel. Making time together a positive seemed to help, stress bonding didn’t really work because Sam is so anxious anyway. Of course my girls aren’t bonded yet, so its really a lot of trial and error.

[angelfish312]

In the tub they were fine the first round but ever since then they have decided they were enemies. At one time I did try holding them together and petting them both. This sometimes works and others they will try pulling each others fur out. I hate to admit it but at one point I broke down and decided to try and bond them like I have done my past guinea pigs. I stuck them both in the tub with a little water.I know rabbits do not need baths so I made sure there was less then a inch. Just enough to freak them out. This actually worked they were so freaked out that they were glad when they were released and they actually groomed EACH OTHER. I can’t believe it it actually worked.

[Beka27]

While I haven’t done bathtub bonding sessions with water, you’re on the right track stressing them. Other people have put a laundry basket on a washer or dryer, ran a vacuum right outside the bathroom door, or taken the bunnies for a short car ride. Anything that will “freak them out” a little bit and cause them to seek comfort in each other.

With bunny bonding, as with many trying times, it’s always “darkest before the dawn”. Keep doing daily bonding sessions. Continue the tub, or move them to a smallish neutral space. If they fight, separate them temporarily. I would turn a lightweight laundry basket over one for a couple minutes, then raise it back up. Keep them in the bonding space for the full hour, even if they need short breaks of being separated.

[angelfish312]

I believe we have finally made it over the hugest bump. They now have atleast stopped biting each other and now all they do is chase. We have tried the basket and other things to stress them out but it seemed like nothing would work. I can not believe the water thing worked.

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