New Terrified Lionheads

[Lynith]

2 weeks ago we adopted a 4 month old bonded pair of Lionhead Males.  We bought them a very large outdoor enclosure (but we keep it inside with an area rug beneath it.)  We bunny proofed the living room.  They love their chew toys and their comfy beds.  They actually get along fairly well with our cats, surprisingly.  They aren’t fond of our Papillons but they mostly just hop around them.  The TV doesn’t seem to bother them though we usually have the volume pretty low.  They love to explore even when the aforementioned distractions are about.

What they don’t love is us humans.  I don’t blame them.  Look at us. This is made even worse by having a toddler.  She’s fairly well behaved considering her age… she grew up with animals so she knows how to let them come to you, she knows the hutch is off limits, she knows not to pick them up, etc.  But she STILL has the energy of a toddler.  I know rabbits take a while to adjust, but even me getting up off the couch causes them to cower in a corner and tremble for quite a while.

– Do I move them to a quieter room like a spare bedroom in the house for a quieter place, or should I keep them around us and they’ll adjust in time?

– Does the whole “tshirt in the cage” scent trick work with rabbits like it does with ferrets and cats?

– If I pick them up, they rarely jump off.  Even if I don’t pet them and they just chill there.  How do I know if they’re paralyzed with fear or content?

– Are rabbits food motivated like other animals where hand feeding can help with bonding?

– Would neutering them help if they’re indoor only and both males?  It seems like trauma is the last thing these terrified buns need but I’m not the expert.

– At what point do I determine that these guys aren’t going to work out and need a quieter home?  I actually enjoy owning them despite the rough start.  They each have such personality when they’re not cowering and they’re fun to watch.  I’m happy to stick it out and I actually enjoy the new challenge just feel like I’m torturing these boys.  =(  

Thanks for sticking out my long winded questions.  I really love all my animals and I want nothing but the best for all of them, I just hope we are that ideal place for them.

[Wick & Fable]

There are many points you would like addressed that I’m sure BB members will chime in. I will note on one that stuck out most to me.

You mentioned neutering them, and also called them bonded rabbits. I assume they are both unfixed and 4mo. This is probably what the previous owner told you (that they are bonded). Neutering and spaying rabbits is not only to prevent pregnancy, but it’s also so pet rabbit owners can establish bonded pairs. Young rabbits will get along with nearly all other young rabbits because their hormones are not yet present (i.e. mating and territorial urges). Both rabbits, if they are 4 months old and not neutered, run a very scary risk of having those hormones kick in any time and cause them to fight. In serious cases, rabbits will fight to the death. As of now, they are not bonded rabbits — they are young rabbits who are getting along because puberty has not hit yet. The safest strategy for owners with two, unfixed rabbits, is to separate them until they are both fixed and have time to recover. It sounds very drastic, but there are instances where rabbits cuddle during the day, but one unsupervised night comes along and a rabbit gets overcome by territorial aggression and attacks the other because hormones appear.

The formal bonding process can be quite long. It includes prebonding, dates, supervised playing…. Our website has a section on bonding in the BUNNY INFO tab. I do suggest you check it out to learn some more.

Neutering seems scary, but rabbit care has come a marvelous way. As long as you find an exotic, rabbit-experienced vet, neutering is quite a simple procedure. Many males recover within a couple days, and by neutering your rabbit, you are helping in quelling mating and territorial frustrations which may come naturally without the procedure.

I will add that unfixed, male bonded pairs do exist. They are not common at all to my knowledge, but I’ve read some stories here and there. However, considering the minimal risk of neuters vs the consequences of two hormonal rabbits, I think neutering is the best route.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Lynith]

Thanks for the reply, I’m going to look into that but I was corrected a bit an not sure if it changes your answer- they’re brothers.  Not sure if that changes things or not.  I meant to say that somewhere. 

[Asriel and Bombur]

Bunnies don’t recognize family units. Separate them before it has a chance to get violent.

[Bunny House]

I agree with the others, they need to be immediately separated, they can be housed in the same room but in separate pens.

Then you can slowly work on bonding personally with each one. You can sit in their pen and let them come to you. It can take up to a year in some cases for bunnies to trust a human. This gives you plenty of time to work on it before the neuter and after while you work on prebonding them.

Bunnies don’t like being picked up so please don’t pick up unless they need to be like going to a vet or getting out of a dangerous situation.

Bunnies are very good motivated, at least mine are, they act like piranhas haha, this can really help your bond as they can associate you with something good.

[Babyfacecupcake]

When humans are around them are you laying on the floor? Sitting? Standing? Bunnies are naturally curious. So if you lay on the floor and get down to their level it can help them bond with you.

[Babyfacecupcake]

Definitely let them smell you and come up to you for this a week or so. And then slowly put you hand up where the bun can see your hand and pet their head if they allow it.

[princessbookworm]

My bunnies seem to be most interested in me (besides when I’m opening a treat jar or the fridge ?) when I’m laying on the floor working on my laptop.

I second just laying on the floor (reading, doing work, even while watching tv) and letting them come to you. They’ll eventually come over and sniff you. Offer them a treat then. They’ll learn real quick that youre cool when you have treats ?

[Author]

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