Our rabbits have been bonded for the better part of a year and living together without any issues. A few days ago they suddenly started trying fight each other quite viciously and we’re trying to figure out what the heck is happening. We’ve had to keep them separated for most of this week. The only thing I can think of is that I used a floor shampooer to clean in the bunny area. Did I screw up their territory? The only other thing that’s changed is we haven’t been able to get the premium pellet mix they go nuts for so we’ve been using some regular oxbow pellets but I can’t imagine that’s what soured their relationship! Any other ideas I might be missing?
by lo-key-glass
2 Comments
My two girls have recently had a broken bond too. It’s the bigger one chasing the smaller one with serious intent. A nose-down, fast-driving, I’ll eff you up attitude.
I have them separated. Feeding them next to each other by the gate and switching their rooms each day.
Its been a week now so I might see if the Killer Void has chilled out. I suspect it was her constant badgering that led to Little Shenanigator’s mild stasis last week. Poor thing could not munch hay in peace.
Let us know how it goes. I’m paying attention for any helpful advice too.
You may be onto something with the food. This is going to sound ridiculous but I’m pretty sure my boys lost their bond over food. They were besties for two years. One day I walked into their room with a bowl of cereal, of course they ran over excited but ignored them and went on my way, and out of my eyesight they started fighting viciously. Since I didn’t see what started it I couldn’t be sure. Re bonded them, thought everything was fine, then a week later, exact same thing – walked in with cereal, started fighting.
I’m still… Not quite sure what was going on exactly, but something to do with thinking they were going to get tasty food and not getting it, maybe triggered them to fight for dominance/getting the food. In my case we unfortunately could not get them bonded again after many attempts, so they lived separate but within view. I hope you have better success!