Give up or pick up later?

[ashleydash]

I got my first bunny in September of last year, named Bunny Stinson. After doing some research, I decided I wanted a companion for him. I had done research on bunny bonding and had been warned about getting both bunnies fixed first, but I ignored these warnings (I know, I know). Bunny Stinson has been fixed, but my new bunny is probably about 3 or 4 months old (I’m not sure on the age though) Anyways, it would be a while before I would be able to get him fixed, and I didn’t want to wait. So for the past month or so, I’ve been setting up bunny dates for Teddy Bear and Bunny Stinson. They were actually going quite well up until a couple of days ago. Just the day before the incident, they were in the bathtub together and perfectly at ease. They were even grooming each other. 

It was going so well I decided to move them into the hallway the next day, which is probably about 3 times the size of the bath. And then all hell broke loose. All of a sudden, Teddy Bear turned into a GRIZZLY bear and started chasing and attacking Bunny Stinson, and then Bunny started growling and fighting back. I tried to spray them but it was too late, they were already into it. I tried to break it up without getting involved, but in the end I just had to grab Bunny and separate the two. The damage of the fight was minor thankfully, just chunks of hair pulled out from each other, no cuts  or anything, but it was still a very aggressive exchange (very scary to watch!).

I’ve since tried to put them together in the bathtub again, but they keep fighting. What I’m wondering is if they will ever get over that fight. I’ve been told that males are a lot less aggressive once they have been fixed. I’m planning on keeping them separate until a little while after Teddy has been fixed, but will it even make a difference when they have had such a big fight with each other? Is the relationship even salvageable?

Any input you could give would be helpful, thanks

[LongEaredLions]

You need to wait to start bonding until Teddy is neutered. His hormones are causing him to be unpredictable. You should be able to bond them then, even if they had a big fight, because after his neuter Teddy wont smell the same, but be prepared to spend a while bonding.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I agree. Wait until he’s been neutered and then a few weeks following while the hormones dissipate. Usually their scents change after neutering and your other bun won’t remember this. But I wouldn’t move forward right now. They need time apart to forgive and forget and then start from square one all over again when you do resume bonding. Act as if they’ve never ever met before. But the fight is still too fresh in their minds to move forward right now. I’ve never been in the situation myself but I remember reading that if a fight breaks out in that severity that it’s best to wait 2 weeks to allow them to sorta ‘get over it’ before moving forward. But since bunny isn’t neutered, id wait for a neuter most definitely.

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