Unusual Bonding Behavior

[Alex98]

Situation: We got Casper a friend in Pumpkin, both male, Pumpkin neutered and Casper in neutered.

They spent almost two months next to each other in their separate cages, occasionally switching cages. Then, we neutered Casper.

A week after neutering, because Casper already showed few of any signs of unneutered male rabbits we introduced the two through a cage. Casper was licking Pumpkin through the cage. We decided to have them be in a 1 by 1 and both were grooming and splooting. After two hours Casper started to hump and we ended the first session.

Next week Casper had stopped grooming but Pumpkin was grooming Casper. Casper was ramping up the humping and Pumpkin was getting annoyed so we ended it there and waited to next week. What’s strange is we didn’t see normal humping from Casper, but rather Casper would hump for a couple of seconds, stop and be side by side with Pumpkin looking him in the eye, before then humping for 3 seconds and then approaching the other side to look Pumpkin in the eye, then repeat, switching sides every time.

Third week we have Casper doing this behavior for a bit with Pumpkin not moving an inch, very rarely grabbing some hay and eating it only if it was directly in front of him. Casper would get tired of this weird mounting ritual and sploot to Pumpkins side, and if pumpkin moved at all, either to stretch or groom Casper Casper would immediately go back and hump Pumpkin. Sometimes Pumpkin would get frustrated and we’d have to break up a fight before it happened. We ended the session on a good note and then put them back. This time when humping Casper would sometimes stop and while mounted groom the back of Pumpkin’s head.

1. How long until Casper stops humping? Sources range from 2 weeks to 2 months.

2. What is this weird behavior of humping for a couple of seconds, looking at their eyes, and then continuing and then looking at their eyes on the other side? What is the grooming while in a mounted position?

3. How is Pumpkin feeling?

4. What should be done about these two? Just weekly check in and see if Casper is any less aggressive?

[DanaNM]

I’m having a little trouble following, but mounting in bonding sessions is pretty normal. How long have you been doing sessions?

Also, some males can go through a hormonal fluctuation after neutering, and it takes several weeks for their hormones to drain after neutering. If you are still within 3 weeks since the most recent neuter, I would pause sessions for a few weeks and see if that helps.

Since they aren’t immediately fighting I don’t think things are going too badly, I think mostly they probably just need more time! You are doing the right thing by preventing fighting and ending on a good note.

Other tips regarding mounting:

-face mounting should be stopped (to avoid a bite to the genitals!). If one rabbit mounts the other’s face, I usually just spin the mounted rabbit around so it’s in the right position.

-If bun being mounted tries to get away and the mounter tries to chase, pin the mounted rabbit down to let the other rabbit move away.

-more space in the bonding are can be helpful so they can move away from each other if needed

-grooming can be a precursor to mounting, and they will nip and groom the back of the other rabbit during mounting as well.

-try not to project human emotions onto things. 🙂  mounting is one way rabbits communicate dominance, and it’s better than fighting! Even bonded pairs mount from time to time. If it’s not leading to immediate fights, you are doing well! If one rabbit seems overly stressed, shorten the sessions so it’s not too excessive.

. . . 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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