Rabbit Bonding????

Hi.

I was bonding my 2 male rabbits and it was all fine.

But yesterday, we had them in the garden and Pipkin came up behind Pumpkin and put his head right under him and it looked like he shoved him. Pumpkin didn't seem to like this so they got into a bit of a fight.

I separated them as soon as I could. Was this a good idea? Should I leave them to fight and sort it out?

I am abit scared to have them out today.. does anyone have some advice?


Thanks

I'd say you did the right thing separating them. Are they both neutered?

Yes they were neutered in September!

Separate them when you are not there, but in a place where they can still smell and see each other, then use the bonding techniques you used before. hopefully this is just a hicup.

You shouldnt leave them to fight as they can cause each other serious damage. Some of the injuries can be quite horrific. All that will happen is that one will become terrified of the other and they will never bond.

Their hutches are next to each other and sometimes I just get them out on top of one of the hutches!

I will remember this when I get them out tomorrow.

Also in around September last year, we had this massive homemade run that they would go in and Pumpkin leaned his head behind the hutch and Pipkin was there and bit his lip. It was very bloody and they couldn't even be near each other, but now they are a lot better!

Thanks so much!!

Try and transfer their smells to each other as much as poss. Try switching some of their bedding into each others hutch and stroke one and then with the same hand stroke the other.

Dont give up. This can sometimes take ages x x

Gosh it sounds like such a challenge, if with good advice about how to do it others have acheived it, im sure u can too. Good luck, look forward to hearing how u get on

Sounds like Pipkin wants Pumpkin to groom him - thereby agreeing that he is boss rabbit. If the other rabbit doesn't quite see the world order and disagrees, it can lead to squabbles. You can expect a certain amount of chasing, nipping and LOTS of humping. If one bun is submissive, things are OK, but if the other bunny objects to being asked to be submissive, it is more difficult.

Letting them get used to each other in their own space is a good idea. They can smell each other and make a relationship before having to share.

Thanks for all the advice. I will post about how they are getting on.

There now is even more nudging and fighting when they are in the garden but on top of the hutch they seem perfectly fine snuggling up to each other! I think Pipkin has fur mites or something like that so I have stopped bonding them for a few days to sort that out. Can you get a brush like a flea brush to get rid of them?

alannahbale wrote: I think Pipkin has fur mites or something like that so I have stopped bonding them for a few days to sort that out. Can you get a brush like a flea brush to get rid of them?

Hi, sadly not, Pipkin needs to see the vet, if it's mites, they will most likely give a 3-4 week course of 'Invectermin' to get rid of the mites. Most buns show improvement very soon afterwards, but need to have the full course. Mites can become really problematic if left untreated, fur falls out and the skin will go very scabby and red.

I hope you have a happy resolution to both issues

OK thanks but it just looks like he has a bug type of thing in his fur but I am not quite sure what it is. It is sort of lightish brown colour and there looks like there is hundreds in there. Does anyone know??

Sounds like fur mites. He really does need to see a vet im afraid. Its the only thing that will get rid of them. They are likely to be making him feel uncomfortable.

Some buns with mites can become quite poorly as their skin can get infected if it becomes sore, or they can ingest to much fur, causing their tummies to stop working, if that happens, they can even die.

Let us know how he gets on bless him x x x

Felix had this when he arrived. He had a couple of jabs and they just disappeared. If you leave them it will drive him mad scratching.

OK thanks this was very helpful for me!