Rabbits fighting but still cuddling??!!

[Captain Jackie]

What the heck! I’m so confused. My rabbits seem SO CLOSE to being bonded, they have all the signs. They cuddle, play, groom, and share toys and the playspace. However, they still haven’t completely accepted a dominant/submissive position. BUT, when they’ve fought over it (I looked away for literally a second and then fur was flying) they IMMEDIATELY go back to being friends and cuddling/grooming. I am so at a loss at this point because I have read nothing that helps. They’re spayed females who had the operation at 6 months and are now a year old. They’ve been living side by side separated by bars and have known each other since they were kits. They have been very good lately about sharing the playspace EXCEPT when it comes to demanded grooming, and that’s when it’s obvious that there’s still tension.

It’s just so confusing and exhausting… they get anxious when they’re separated and yet can’t seem to be together. They show all the signs of being friends and yet they do this. They even groom each other and play… and yet they do this.

Is it a time thing??? Do I just have to wait? When they were teens (even months after they were spayed) they couldn’t be together at all, not even for a second in the same space or they’d go at each other. It’s incredible that they’ve progressed this far but it’s exhausting for everyone involved. Obviously if I had known same sex pairs didn’t match well and kits had false bonds I wouldn’t have got them together. The biggest reason I don’t want to send one away is because we are so close.
Ugh.

Also why do they get over their fights so quickly?!?!?

[pinkiemarie]

Sounds like they’re close but just not quite bonded. They won’t be fully bonded until one of them accepts the submissive role and it can take time. My pair went through the same thing but eventually they worked it out and now they’re so in love!

[Captain Jackie]

@pinkiemarie Ok that’s good, even just knowing that someone had something similar happen makes me feel better!! Gives me hope for the last few miles, eheh…

[Captain Jackie]

Update: They had one huge spat and now they’re fine! Only a few minor scrapes. CJ has now accepted her subordinate position. ^_^

Lucky for her, Lizzie loves giving grooming so the only thing CJ is missing out on is first dibs of things!

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