Hiya, my first time posting but been a long time reader of this sub!
So I have 2 female bunnies (mini lop / lionhead cross), siblings both 1.5 yo, called Jon (image R) and Lorraine (L). After spaying, they went through a phase of fighting quite badly, but I rebonded them and all has been well for about a year, with occasional mounting from the more dominant one (Lorraine).
With grooming, they actually usually groom each other, rather than only one way.
However, last few days I've noticed Lorraine keeps doing this odd thing which is like grooming but like, aggressively?? Like she's almost munching on Jon's fur and Jon really doesn't like it and it ends up becoming chasing / mounting. I really don't want the chasing to become fighting as they've been so happily bonded and I don't want them (or me!) to go through all that stress again.
I recently moved house, which maybe caused a bit more mounting / peeing and pooping about the place initially, but it's been almost two months and the fluff-biting only started a few days ago…
They're healthy according to vet, except that a few months ago they developed sore hocks (unusual in this breed so young) and I can't seem to resolve it. Tried so many things, eventually x-rays showed they likely have inherited arthritis 🙁
If anyone knows if this might be connected to the new behaviour, what the behaviour means, or has recommendations for sore hocks, pls send!
(I'm UK-based so any products would need to be available here unfortunately.)
Thanks!
by quamquam1234