Help needed bonding two rabbits who hate each other

[Jawjar]

I have two bunnies, Fiver (3 years) and Pipkin (1.5 years) . Unfortunately when Pipkin was fairly young and before I got him desexed he jumped the divider between Fiver and himself resulting in a huge fight which landed Pipkin in the vets with torn genitals. Once he was fully recovered, desexed, and old enough to be properly introduced to Fiver I started the bonding process. No matter what I do they will not seem to accept each others presence. They have gone through stages in which they seem to be getting along, laying down next to each other etc but this is often followed by aggressive behaviour as soon as I start to get my hopes up. I have tried putting them in the car together, swapping litter boxes and enclosures, and frequent bonding time in a neutral space in which I would spray them with water if they started to fight. But all of this seems to be useless. Often Fiver will start to groom Pipkin but then stop, maybe expecting to be groomed back? Pipkin however refuses to respond and often ends up getting nipped by Fiver out of what I think is frustration. This has been going on for a year now and I have almost completely given up. Please help if you can

[RabbitPam]

First, I didn’t see if Fiber has been neutered also. Probably, but if not, it would be the next step to help tone down his aggression.
It’s understandable that this bond would be tentative after the first problem. I don’t know where you’re located, but if you’re in CA, there are several rescues that have special bonding trainers that can help if you bring in your pair. It sounds like there’s hope, if they get along at all.

[BunnyLady1989]

I don’t know much about the bounding process, as I have never done it, but I just wanted to say your boys have some of the best names! Watership Down has been my favorite book and movie since I was 7

[calipa_st]

I’m dealing with this now as well. Mine seem to just hate each other. Lucky is the one I had first, and he is extremely aggressive towards Rodan. Rodan wasn’t neutered and now he is, he has been attacked too much from Lucky when I try putting them in the tub…they do snuggle and them bam! fighting. Rodan actually fought back last night and bit Lucky near his eye (rodan is covered in wounds from lucky though.)
I’m going to take a week off then try again. Not sure why they hate each other!

[Sindri]

I am curious if you have ever taken breaks from your bonding? If you haven’t perhaps you should try taking a break. I have been having trouble bonding mine. I did take a break and it seemed to help. I had a male who was extremely aggressive to my female. So I took a couple of breaks. I also have tried something that you might find useful and that is bonding in boxes. I would walk them around drag the box around and it really helped with breaking up fights and of course chasing since it was a small space. My male began grooming my female and it seemed I made progress. When I tried a bigger area they fought. This time its my female who is doing all the attacking. I know I am not having a great deal of success but mixing things up a bit might help being you have been at it a year. Can you take them somewhere else to bond them? That was also suggested to me in the past. If you have a friend’s or family’s house you can take them to you could try doing that I have been told that others had success doing that.Other people told me that they bonded their bunnies outside when things weren’t working inside, maybe that might be an option as well. I wish you luck and wish I could offer some really good advice but I too am having my problems. I did find some success from the box bonding and breaks that I did mention above. I know you must be so frustrated and I can relate. Let us know what happens. =)

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