Jealousy issues

[LBJ10]

I tried asking in my bonding thread, but no one answered so I’m posting this in here. Leopold seems to be having some jealousy issues. The biggest issue seems to be in the morning when I go in there. I will open the top of the cage to pet them and give them kisses before letting them out. This gives me a chance to grab Wooly if he is in need of grooming because once they are out, forget it. Well anyway, Leopold has been  exhibiting some jealous behaviour. I try to pet them both “equally”. But when I try to pet Wooly, Leopold will come over and place his head directly on top of his head so that I will pet him instead. Sometimes if my hand is in the way, he will force his head under there by nudging and pushing my hand. Talk about jealousy! They are fine around food, although Leopold doesn’t hesitate to look for crumbs on Wooly’s chin if I give them each a treat. Is this behaviour something to worry about? Will it always be like this, or will it start to esculate? How can I pet them both without Leopold having a heartattack because *gasp* I’m petting someone other than him?

[Sarita]

I think he’s just a more needy rabbit and I wouldn’t worry. Some rabbits just need more attention than others. As long as it doesn’t cause any scuffles with them, I don’t see a problem.

[LBJ10]

It’s funny you say that since I have never thought of Leopold as being needy. He especially wasn’t that way before we got Wooly. Now that I think about it, he would start bouncing off the walls whenever he saw me giving Wooly attention before I had started bonding them. So maybe he’s only needy now because he has some “competition”.

[Lagomorphic]

My Rosie does this. I always thought it was more of a power struggle thing than a needy thing, but I don’t know why I thought that! I usually just push her head over so I can pet both of them equally. Silly buns!

[Author]

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