The Bunny Basics

Angela · Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

I have two rabbits, one is a neutered male who is over two years old named Socrates. (I got him two years ago) I also have a female who is not yet spayed who is less than a year old.(I got her seven months ago). When I bonded the two, it went exceptionally well. They fell in love, and while Socrates, the male was not overly dominant, it was obvious that he was the dominant one, I guess because he is the male and he was here first. I noticed that as long as they bunnies had free run of the house or a room in the house, they just played together, but when put in a cage while I was gone to school, he would mount her. She didn't seem to like this very much, so I began separating them whenever I left home. Whenever we let them out to play, my bunnies were still happily in love, so I'm sure separating them didn't do them any harm (their cages were right next to each other... they would even give each other kisses through the cages... but it was to ensure he wouldn't mount her).

Recently Socrates, the male, became VERY ill, and had to go to the hospital for nearly two weeks. When he came back he was still very weak and needed a lot of care. He couldn't really move on his own, and when he tried to reach his back legs to bathe them, he would fall over and be unable to get back up. The first or second night that Socrates was home, we let our bunnies be together, with supervision since he was much too tired and weak to play. They did very well, and she snuggled up to him and kissed him the whole time. The very next day, we put them together again under supervision, and she attacked him! Luckily I was right there so no harm was done except for a broken heart for him. :[

Since then, every time we try to put the bunnies together, she attacks, trying to bite him and scratch him even as we hold her back. And this doesn't only happen when he approaches her. Whenever I let her out to play, she will circle his cage, terrorizing him.

We noticed that she's been very mean to us as well, grunting at us with displeasure when we change her litter box or give her food or pet her. And if we don't heed the grunting as a warning, we get bitten. She really just wants to be left alone.

What could the problem be? Maybe since she saw him so weak and ill, she is trying to establish dominance? Or is she in heat? I'm not sure what kind of behavior to expect from a bunny girl in heat, but I didn't expect that she would try to injure the male! What is going on, and what can I do about it? My only hope right now is to have her spayed as soon as she stops acting this way (I've heard it is very bad to spay a bunny in heat because there is swelling)... but what if she doesn't stop acting this way, or what if she is spayed and her attitude doesn't change (meaning that it is a dominance thing or she just doesn't like other bunnies anymore.)

Socrates has had a very hard life, and has amazingly recovered from an illness that we didn't even think he would recover from. He really needs companionship, and he misses his girlfriend dearly! He seems so sad to be rejected by her. If she suddenly doesn't get along with other bunnies, I don't know what to do. My house isn't big at all, and since I have roommates, I can't let each bunny have his or her own room, but I don't want to keep any of them in a cage while the other gets to play. :[

Has anybody had a similar experience? Did it resolve itself? Any suggestions?

peyton716 · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 73

I definitely think spaying should help the situation. It is also really important for her health as a female rabbit has an 80 percent chance of getting uterine cancer if she is not spayed.

I have also seen that separating and putting back together bunnies can lead to issues. It sounds like you are going to have to start the bonding process over. Keeping their cages or pens right next to each other helps them to get used to each other again. Also putting them in the other's cage can help them get used to the other's scent.

She also may have seen and felt the change in him and now is afraid. I think the first thing though is spaying. It can take about a month for the hormones to leave the system about surgery.

Angela · Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

Thank you peyton, this is very helpful. I have her scheduled to be spayed next week.

Do you know if putting their cages close together or putting them in each other's cages will be extremely stressful for him. Since he is recovering from a serious illness, my vet advised me to keep his stress at a minimum.

Thanks again!

peyton716 · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 73

As long as she is not trying to attack him through the cage having her next to him can be comforting for him. I think switching cages for short periods probably should wait until he is healthy and she is spayed and she has recovered from her surgery.

Also when you start introducing them again it is best to do it in a neutral area if possible, like a bathroom or laundry room.

I hope things are better after her surgery. Please keep us posted on how things go. Very Happy

buns2008 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Fort Worth, TX

I hope everything works out between them. Bunnies can go through periods where their personalities change. She very well may be afraid with him being gone and coming back with new scents and all. As peyton said please let us know how it goes.

Angela · Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

Thank you both so much for your good advice and your thoughts. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated!