Smudge and Dexter
New Kit
Hello
We've had our rabbit Dexter for nearly a year now. He has been bonded with our other bunny, Smudge, since about March. They are both downstairs in the living room and share a cage etc. The bonding went well. He is the dominant one. Smudge is the sweetest, loveliest and most gentle bunny ever. Dexter is more boisterous and mischievous.
The problem is in the last few months Dexter has been growling and lunging at both my husband and myself. It started if he and Smudge were laying together and I stroked him then reached my hand past him to stroke Smudge. Then he'd go for me. Or if he was sitting near his toys and my husband touched his toys to play with him he would go for him. This morning he was in the litter tray which is quite big as its outside of the cage. I was sweeping up excess hay near the tray and he lunged at me again sort of growling. He has pierced the skin before. We aren't sure if it's with his nails or teeth.
We worry about Smudge as he eats a lot faster than her and always goes for hers and pushes her out of the way. We have taken to splitting them during meal times as we've noticed her getting a lot skinnier and him gaining weight.
We also worry that if he's like that with us, then what's he like with her in their own bunny language. She's been with us for three years this Christmas and as I say she's so gentle and wouldn't hurt a fly. She enjoys cuddles whereas he likes to be destructive. Lol.
We've had them both since they were young, they were both bought from pets at home. They are both neutered and vaccinated and healthy.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Kirsty
We've had our rabbit Dexter for nearly a year now. He has been bonded with our other bunny, Smudge, since about March. They are both downstairs in the living room and share a cage etc. The bonding went well. He is the dominant one. Smudge is the sweetest, loveliest and most gentle bunny ever. Dexter is more boisterous and mischievous.
The problem is in the last few months Dexter has been growling and lunging at both my husband and myself. It started if he and Smudge were laying together and I stroked him then reached my hand past him to stroke Smudge. Then he'd go for me. Or if he was sitting near his toys and my husband touched his toys to play with him he would go for him. This morning he was in the litter tray which is quite big as its outside of the cage. I was sweeping up excess hay near the tray and he lunged at me again sort of growling. He has pierced the skin before. We aren't sure if it's with his nails or teeth.
We worry about Smudge as he eats a lot faster than her and always goes for hers and pushes her out of the way. We have taken to splitting them during meal times as we've noticed her getting a lot skinnier and him gaining weight.
We also worry that if he's like that with us, then what's he like with her in their own bunny language. She's been with us for three years this Christmas and as I say she's so gentle and wouldn't hurt a fly. She enjoys cuddles whereas he likes to be destructive. Lol.
We've had them both since they were young, they were both bought from pets at home. They are both neutered and vaccinated and healthy.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Kirsty