Hello, I have a bonded pair of rabbits and they love each other very much. An older female, bonded with a young male rabbit. Both fixed. I got him for her after my other rabbit passed away suddenly, and she was very lonely, I could tell she was missing having a bun friend. They are always cuddling and grooming so it seems to be a successful pairing, they’ve been together for two years now. However! I have noticed my girl no longer has any whiskers, and on one occasion actually noticed my boy pulling out her whiskers! It doesn’t seem to hurt her, and after taking her to the vet I’ve been assured that she is fine without them, as long is it isn’t causing her any distress when it happens while he’s grooming. I’ve watched carefully and she stays all loafed up and sleepy eyed even when he yanks out a whisker.
However today I noticed something new. Now she has a whole BALD SPOT on her poor little head. The skin is not red, flaky, or irritated and I checked her ears thoroughly and don’t see any indication of mites, so my assumption is that it must have been Crunchy ripping out her fur. After a bit of research, I’ve read that this grooming behaviour can happen and is called barbering, but what I’m not finding is any advice on how to deter it. I feel bad for my little lady and her no whiskers and her BALD SPOT. Has anyone else ever dealt with this kind of aggressive grooming? I’m starting to wonder if I need to separate them from each other but they do really love each other and there is no fighting otherwise! Any advice is welcome, thank you bun community.
by Financial-Highway492