Squeaking Sounds

[Mozzie and Lola]

Hi friends,

New baby bun-parents over here! We just brought home two 11 week old holland lops, brother and a sister. We have noticed that the girl (Lola) will make these small “Squeaking” or “Oinking” (like a pig) noises while she is sitting or laying down. She seems relaxed, eats her pellets, drinks water and pigs out on hay just fine. Her poops also seem to be very normal and she has been pretty active.

Growing up I had an older rescue bunny who would make similar noises when she slept or was being pet and we were told she was just happy. I’ve never had a bunny this young so I’m being overly observant of everything. We have our first vet appt set up but unfortunately they were booked out for a couple of weeks so we are unable to get them in any sooner.

Should we be concerned? Do you think she is ok?

Thanks for the input!

[LBJ10]

Some bunnies are just vocal. She is a bit young to make oinking/honking noises since it’s often associated with being hormonal. But spayed/neutered rabbits will sometimes do it too. Just depends on the bunny and their personality. I suppose a young bunny could do it too.

[Wick & Fable]

Since you mention being new bun-parents (congratulations!), rabbit family dynamics are very different (or non-existent, to say it another way). Please note that brother and sister rabbits will still try to fight/mate with each other once they hit puberty, which will be very soon for both your rabbits. Also, them getting along as babies now (if you are keeping them together and are observing this) is likely not the result of them being brother and sister, but actually a result of them being two young rabbits who have not reached puberty. Once one of them do, it is not uncommon for cuddling rabbits to suddenly have very violent fights the next morning. It is not guaranteed, but happens often. Fights aside, the likelihood of impregnation is high.

In short, you should have plans and structures in place to keep them separated in the coming weeks.

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.

[Hazel]

Congrats on your new bunnies!

They’re getting close to that age where they will hit puberty. They should be separated once they hit 12 weeks of age, as Wick said, even though they are siblings they will mate and/or fight.

[Mozzie and Lola]

Thank you all for the information! Both buns have adjusted very well to our home and seem happy (plenty of binkies and zoomies). Since they are our first baby buns, I think my husband and I have been overly observant and just want to make sure they are happy and healthy. A friend of ours who also has bunnies came over with a little gift for them and  said she thinks maybe Lola is just more vocal and the little sounds are her dreaming or relaxed.

We will for sure be watching them in the next days/weeks and start to separate them if need be. Their area has a modular pen that we can utilize to do this.

If we need to separate them, is there any chance that they could become unbonded?

[Wick & Fable]

Since they are both young rabbits, they aren’t really considered “bonded” to begin with– many people call this stage a “baby bond”, which is known to be temporary. Some will naturally flow into a formal “bonded rabbit” pair after puberty, but in many cases, the baby bond dissolves (very normal) with puberty, so separation is needed until both rabbits are spayed/neutered, recovered, and the bonding process is started to establish a formal, lifelong bond.

Separating young M/F rabbits not only prevents unwanted pregnancy, but I feel it increases the chances of bonding post-puberty if you see signs of the baby bond dissolving, as you are eliminating the chance of negative interactions/grudges to occur as a result of hormone-mediated fights which will occur if they are kept together.

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.

[Hazel]

Agree with Wick 100%.

Babies get along with anyone and anything. They aren’t bonded right now, they simply lack the hatred adult rabbits have for other rabbits they aren’t bonded to.

Separating them isn’t optional unfortunately, if you don’t you will end up with a pregnant baby bunny. At best you’ll have a litter to take care of, at worst she won’t survive the birth. It’s best to separate them at the appropriate age, rather than wait for something bad to happen, like fighting or humping. They won’t give you any warning, they flip that hormonal switch in the blink of an eye and you might come home to fur all over the place. As Wick said, they will hold grudges so if they have a fight they will be harder to bond later. Separating them before they have a chance to become enemies will be a big step towards a smooth bonding process.

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