Girl bunny won’t stop humping boy – causing fights

[Adam]

Hi, I have a girl bunny, snuggles, and a boy bunny, ajay.  Ajay has been neutered, Snuggles has not been spayed (and I would rather avoid any unnecessary surgeries.

 

Well, for a few months (they are about 7 months old), Snuggles has humped Ajay.  But yesterday Ajay has decided he’s had enough.  Countless times he’s knocked her off and chased her, but she just won’t take the hint.  I put them in a cage together, and decided that was way too scary.  But I thought maybe she would understand after that.  No luck.  Basically she went from humping once every couple days, to every 5 minutes. 

 

They were actually getting along pretty well outside of the humping before yesterday.  Now this… I feel like everything is ruined right now.  Would like any advice, though I can’t promise I will do things that would encourage fighting like trapping them together.

 

Thanks.

[Bam]

I don’t think you will be successful in bonding these to unless you get your girl spayed. She is humping the boy because her body is telling her that she needs to procreate (have babies). The boy is of course not interested since he’s neutered.

Sex-drive is very strong in rabbits, in boys and girls alike. She will not be taking any hints. It’s not her rational mind that’s telling her to behave like this, it’s a very strong, hormonally driven sexual urge that’s making her do it.

I recommend you to separate the two, like you seem to have done, but keep them so they can see and hear and smell each other. Then make plans for having Snuggles spayed. Find a good vet that has done many spays before. This wouldn’t be considered unnecessary surgery. It would enable your two buns to bond and become a happy, bonded couple. Girl rabbits should be spayed for health-resons alone anyway, since intact does have a very high risk of getting uterine cancer at around age 3-4 years.

It’s very wise of you to have separated them, you should not force them to be together, when rabbits fight for real it can get really bad with substantial injuries to both buns.

If you like to you can post what general area you’re in (no specifics) and maybe some members know about rabbit-savvy vets in your vicinity.

[Adam]

They are and had been very happy couple already. But I didn’t know about the cancer, I will look into a spay. I’m in dodge city kansas, so good luck with finding someone highly experienced. I think the one I went to for the neuter did a fine job, but I doubt she’s got a long list of spays.

 I read that Rex rabbits don’t have recorded instances of uterine cancer, is that true, and do you have any links about that breed?  I am pretty sure that’s what both rabbits are, and if there’s no risk with this breed, that may change my decision.

BTW, the day after I posted this, snuggles chilled out and they are pretty much back to normal… for now

[Adam]

Ok it’s been over a month since getting her spayed, and Snuggles still humps Ajay’s face. Always the face. I’m very disappointed. I would have thought it was due to female hormones or something.

[Author]

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