random chasing?

[flapjack]

so flapjack and maple have been living together for about 3-4 weeks (i can’t remember exactly when they started living together) and things have been going perfectly. they were snuggling, grooming, etc. they’ve never really fought even during the beginning of the bonding process, except there was a little chasing the first day.

however, for (seemingly) no reason flapjack has started to chase maple around the x-pen and is pulling out fur. i never really see it happen, because by the time i get over there he has stopped and is looking at me like “i didnt do anything wrong!” so i don’t know where he’s pulling out fur. she isn’t injured, she is still bright and happy. however she does run around the pen quickly and kind of tears things up. they aren’t fighting over food/water/hay at all, and sometimes they’ll even flop next to one another.

i’m not sure if i should separate them (i have a cage in the xpen i can put one in and close it) or if i should see if the chasing will run its course. it only started to happen earlier today but i’m getting paranoid, as bunny owners tend to do 

[DanaNM]

Hmm, can you do a stressing session and monitor them for a while?

Sometimes new bonds have hiccups, but the fur pulling shouldn’t be ignored. Any changes in the environment? new pet, new person, new furniture, etc?

. . . 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.  

[flapjack]

nope, nothing new. my sister (who doesn’t live here) came to visit but flapjack and maple have met her before and this hasn’t happened before when she’s visited.

its not constant either, but sometimes he’ll just chase her a little bit. i think i’ll separate them tomorrow and i’ll do a stressing session on tuesday when i have time off of work.

[DanaNM]

A quick chase that only lasts a couple seconds isn’t unheard of, some bunnies get grumpy before meal times and will chase a bit then. But, since it’s leading to fur being pulled, and it has happened a few time if i’m not mistaken, I agree that separating them is the safe bet since you can’t monitor them constantly.

I think as long as they are near to each to each other, it won’t disrupt their relationship. But, if one bunny is kept alone in the area that was their shared area, that bun might lay claim to it, so be careful reintroducing them to that space.

. . . 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.  

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