Bonded bunnies suddenly Fighting

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kelliehunt

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I have bonded brothers, who are 3 years old. They are both fixed, and have been since before I got them, which was at 5 months old. They have never been apart. Suddenly they are fighting every once in a while (daily). Pulling each others fur out, and during these fights pooping all over their pen area, which they have been litter box trained since I got them. When they are not fighting, they still lay with one another and groom each other. I am thinking of separating them in side by side enclosures, because I don't want it to get worse - this will make both of their space(s) smaller, but they wouldn't be able to get to each other that way. I just wanted to see if anyone had had this experience. I feel awful, they have always been buddies, and i really hope i don't have to keep them apart permanently. I have 2 other female bunnies, also fixed, in different areas of the house - when they are out the others are not and vice versa. This is not new either, they have all been in the house together for quite some time.
 

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Aw I’m sorry to hear they just started too :( and their fixed which is definitely odd, have you noticed either of them brushing their chins on any objects? Rabbits have glands under their chins so when you notice that they are actually marking their area it’s another way of claiming territory. This could be a territorial problem all of a sudden especially if their main area lets say isn’t as big or if they want to free roam. Has both of them been okay within moods? If ones feeling off it’ll definitely want to be alone. My two girls before they were spayed fur pulling was a big problem along with just one of them being the bully..my youngest kept doing little attacks at my oldest to where she ended up balled on areas within her neck and i don’t know if it’s the same with your bun is it just one of your rabbits doing it to the other? If that’s the case that’s your rabbit actually trying to put main dominance. A jealously problem could be happening as well for this to occur. After their spay I did see my rabbit the one who was doing the fur pulling still be a bit aggressive to my other one.. for no reason especially if she were to directly go into her area! I was just as confused because they just got spayed but it came down to the territory problem. I’d say try the separation out for a few days see how it goes it will loosen the tension between them as well. I did that as well also what helps is if you see that happening just gently put ur hand on whoever’s head, hold it down and say no it’ll show your the dominant one and that’s a wrong they are doing. I hope it gets better and if it does get worst call your vet for additional advice!
 
Thank you for your reply. I did end up separating them last night but I’ve left them side-by-side hopefully this will help. I did notice that the one who was usually less dominant seems to be the one who is more aggressive suddenly. I’m not sure why but I’m going to give it a couple days. They have a huge space, So that can’t be it but hopefully this will help me figure it out
 
@kelliehunt, you may have done this but have you done research on this behavior? Do they get enough exercise? They could be bored? Are they aggressively pulling out fur (tight circles, flailing around)? My bonded pair will chase each other and pull out fur, but everything I read was this is what they do and they like playing chase. I noticed that my female will antagonize the male until he chases her. Its nuts! But they still snuggle and their bond is strong.

Other instances the bond might not have been strong enough, or one of the bunnies is now trying to assert their dominance.

One things I did read if you have other bunnies out, the rabbits locked up can get jealous and you need to make sure they all get equal time. Put them on a schedule to make sure they get equal time, and plus bunnies like schedules (win win!)

Hopefully it will work out though for you :(
 
I have bonded brothers, who are 3 years old. They are both fixed, and have been since before I got them, which was at 5 months old. They have never been apart. Suddenly they are fighting every once in a while (daily). Pulling each others fur out, and during these fights pooping all over their pen area, which they have been litter box trained since I got them. When they are not fighting, they still lay with one another and groom each other. I am thinking of separating them in side by side enclosures, because I don't want it to get worse - this will make both of their space(s) smaller, but they wouldn't be able to get to each other that way. I just wanted to see if anyone had had this experience. I feel awful, they have always been buddies, and i really hope i don't have to keep them apart permanently. I have 2 other female bunnies, also fixed, in different areas of the house - when they are out the others are not and vice versa. This is not new either, they have all been in the house together for quite some time.
I know you posted this 2 yrs ago, but I’m wondering if their behavior improved? were they kept separate from each other & the reintroduced & ok?
 
You are unlikely to get a response from any user from this thread due to its age -- I recommend starting your own topic since every bonding situation is different and cannot be directly applied to anything your going through @chofamily
 

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