Re-bonding two once bonded rabbits/Sudden aggression in once non-aggressive rabbit

[Paige]

Hello everyone! So quick, brief about my rabbits,

I got Meep (Male, American Fuzzy Lop) in June of 2016, Hes one now and has been fixed since he was about 6 months old.

About over two months ago I brought my female rabbit home, Opal(Under a year, Lion Head). Meep instantly fell in love with her and they bonded pretty much immediately.

I got Opal spayed last month, after the spay I was advised by my rabbit savvy vet that i should keep them separate for about 10 days until she healed, since he out weighed her so much. (Note: I do work in the veterinary field and am pretty knowledgeable about rabbits) This was easy because my rabbits live in a Leith Petwork two story rabbit condo, Meep was upset right away when Opal was gone for the day for her spay, and i did take him with me when we went to drop her off for her spay. &yes, i have heard about bonds being broken after one rabbit has been fixed, prior to getting her spayed.

Upon bringing Opal home from her spay I put her in the bottom part of the condo, and Meep on top, with the idea that when Meep was out to play they could easily interact through the cage.

Since Opals spay they have not been getting along, she is now fully healed, and their interactions usually end in fights which has been preventing me from putting the connecting ramp down in the cage that connects the top floor and bottom floor. 

Ive tried putting them in neutral areas with treats such as the bath tub and couch, ive tried taking them outside. Ive even “refereed” play time in our their usual play area, but fur always manages to get drawn, and blood once, which has led me to separate play times, which is hard for me to do sometimes because I do work full time at at veterinary hospital. Their both at equal part for starting the fights but its usually Meep, he even goes after her after she gives him kisses.

Which leads me to Meep, Upon separating them for her spay, Meep has become more and more unfriendly and aggressive, I am now lunged at and bit if I am in his cage to long cleaning or even giving him fresh food, but outside the cage hes ok. Before getting Opal, Meep was super friendly to where he would even lay on my bed with me while i played on my lap top, and would also let me give him head rubs while he was in his cage. I understand since getting a second rabbit hes going to be more distracted by her, but I still dont understand this sudden aggression hes developing.

Please send me some tips! I miss my buns cuddling and binkying around the room together! 

[sarahthegemini]

After a spay often there will be a surge in hormones so it’s actually reccomended to wait at least a month after, before starting to bond.

[Mikey]

They currently see one another as threats to fight. Stop trying to bond them for atleast two to six months months. In these months, do prebonding instead of bonding. Swap bunnies every morning or night. Let them leave territory marks and chin mark everything they want within the cages; clean every other day. Itll help them get their smells around. You should also get two small stuffed animals, one for each cage; let the buns mark this as much as they want to; clean the toy once a week at most, unless its sticky, then clean the sticky spots

Female rabbits can stay hormonal for up to six months after being spayed. Its possible she is still hormonal, as well, which he is reacting to.

[vanessa]

I agree with Mikey and Sarah…

[Paige]

Thank you everyone!

[Author]

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