Will my bunny get upset when I bring a new rabbit home?

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This topic has 1sd reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 4 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 06/29/2020 at 12:37 PM
  winnie_andbunbuns19
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  3 posts
  Sorry, this is probably a paranoid question, but hey it’s better to be safe than to be sorry! Buttons is my 6 month old Holland Lop buck. He is territorial and not yet neutered (because he was too small, hoping to get him neutered in 3 weeks before the new rabbit comes home but that may not be possible). In just under 3 weeks I’m bringing a baby doe Holland Lop home. Note: they will be separated until both are fixed.
  
  I’ve heard situations where a person is cuddling and bonding with their new rabbit, only to go to their other rabbit and have it lunge at them and bite them (most of the time drawing blood), because apparently bunnies are most territorial to their own kind, which does make sense.
  
  My question is, has this ever happened to you? Should I completely change my clothes before seeing the other rabbit or will just washing my hands be enough? Any advice will be very much appreciated!
- 06/29/2020 at 12:42 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  It can and does happen occasionally.. but my perception is that extreme reactions like that are pretty rare. More likely is marking and poop/pee wars. I also think an un-neutered male would be happy to have a female enter his territory, so he might try to mount your arm before he would attack it. 😉 Females tend to be more territorial and males, so bringing a female into a male’s territory is sometimes a bit easier. It will also help that she is young. If she hasn’t hit puberty yet he might not react too strongly to her smell anyway.
  
  . . . 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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