I was hoping for some advice. My sister and I have recently adopted two bunnies. They are Netherland Dwarves and from the same litter. When we adopted them the owner told us she thought they were both girls (they were 8 weeks at the time). When we took them to the vets for their jabs etc we were told they were both boys, and to bring them back if they started fighting to be neutered, which we did.
We have not owned rabbits before, but have spoken to the vet about re-bonding after castration, and read extensively. It has now been 7 weeks since castration we have been attempting to re-bond them. Currently they are in our living room separated by a puppy pen which they can sniff and groom each other through. They are happy to flop next to each other and eat next to each other etc. They have been in this set up since castration. They are never caged.
This week we have been putting them in a neutral area for about 10 minutes at a time to see how they go. It hasn’t been going very well at all. We have stopped any fights immediately, but they have continued to fight through the puppy gate when back in the living room after we have ended the session. Unfortunately, last night one broke through the fence and they fought while we we in bed (fur everywhere!) although luckily neither seem injured. We have been doing more reading and have read lots about two boys being incompatible. As I speak they are acting in a way I thought was good - one (Clover - who we presumed would be dominant!) is grooming the other (daffodil) through the bars. However, when actually put together, clover, the groomer, (which signals submission) is often the aggressor who demands daffodil submits. Daffodil, who is right now being happily groomed, tends to huddle and not interact with clover until he demands daffodil groom him. At which point daffodil attacks.
Is it worth persevering? Or does one of them need to be rehomed and we adopt a female? We’d be reluctant to do that, but can’t carry on like this!
Thank you
We have not owned rabbits before, but have spoken to the vet about re-bonding after castration, and read extensively. It has now been 7 weeks since castration we have been attempting to re-bond them. Currently they are in our living room separated by a puppy pen which they can sniff and groom each other through. They are happy to flop next to each other and eat next to each other etc. They have been in this set up since castration. They are never caged.
This week we have been putting them in a neutral area for about 10 minutes at a time to see how they go. It hasn’t been going very well at all. We have stopped any fights immediately, but they have continued to fight through the puppy gate when back in the living room after we have ended the session. Unfortunately, last night one broke through the fence and they fought while we we in bed (fur everywhere!) although luckily neither seem injured. We have been doing more reading and have read lots about two boys being incompatible. As I speak they are acting in a way I thought was good - one (Clover - who we presumed would be dominant!) is grooming the other (daffodil) through the bars. However, when actually put together, clover, the groomer, (which signals submission) is often the aggressor who demands daffodil submits. Daffodil, who is right now being happily groomed, tends to huddle and not interact with clover until he demands daffodil groom him. At which point daffodil attacks.
Is it worth persevering? Or does one of them need to be rehomed and we adopt a female? We’d be reluctant to do that, but can’t carry on like this!
Thank you
