Chances are you may be thinking of getting another bunny. You may think that your pet rabbit is lonely and might appreciate some company. However, you may be worried about whether your pet rabbits will attack each other. You certainly do not want a fight to the death in your home. Here we will explore the rabbit’s behaviour and what may cause your bunnies to behave aggressively toward each other?
Are my rabbits really attacking each other?
With the new addition to your pet rabbit family, you may have noticed some aggressive physical contact. However, it does not seem to be an outright fight. What is happening? What you may be witnessing is some social bonding. A rabbit’s behaviour is usually mild-mannered. He or she is usually a docile, contented creature. However, you may notice a change in behaviour if you bring home a new companion. Bunnies are sociable creatures and once there is more than one, there will be a hierarchy. If there are two, one will seek to establish dominance. Social bonding might look a lot like fighting and as a responsible owner, you should keep an eye on your bunnies.
Here are some behaviours that are associated with social bonding:
- Chasing -The rabbit who has been with you the longest may chase the newcomer around the cage. If you have a male and female pair, the male may be the one doing most of the chasing.
- Nipping – This is when bunnies bite each other. These are not serious bites, they are usually harmless and do not cause any injuries.
- Swatting – This behaviour can best be described as hitting with the front paws.
- Spraying – This one is not necessarily an aggressive tendency. This behaviour involves your rabbit urinating on poles and other surfaces to mark territory.
- Mounting – This is when one rabbit climbs on to the other rabbit’s back. As you would expect that this is usually seen when you have a male and a female rabbit.
So, you need to observe your bunnies carefully and note their interaction. You have to be able to differentiate between bonding and aggression. If you think that the bonding session is getting a little rough, it is advised that you remove one of the rabbits from the cage.
What are some of the reasons that pet bunnies may become aggressive?
In the event that your pet rabbits are definitely fighting, it is helpful to understand why they are fighting so that you can take the appropriate action. Here are some of the reasons that bunnies fight:
- Territory – It may not be obvious when you have one pet rabbit but bunnies are very territorial by nature. When you bring another rabbit into the dynamic, bunnies instinctively want to protect their territory.
- Space – If you have multiple rabbits in a cage and that space is too small, your bunnies may cease to be comfortable in their environment. These cramp conditions may cause your rabbits to suddenly turn on each other.
- Relocation – If by chance you have to move and your rabbits find themselves in a strange new home, they may start fighting each other. A change in environment is very stressful for bunnies. The move may take a toll and cause them to become irritable and as a result increasingly aggressive.
- Third Wheel Scenario – Fights may break out in your cage if you have two bonded pet bunnies and decide to add a third. This new rabbit is viewed as an intruder in the cage. The harmony that once existed will be disrupted. You may think that keeping your third bunny in a separate cage may do the trick, but this is not the case. Rabbits have a keen sense of smell and once they are able to pick up the third rabbit’s scent, there may be fights.
- Failed Bonding – You may place two rabbits together and despite your best efforts, they just don’t have any chemistry. Or maybe they don’t like each other. Either way, if they are not bonded, they are going to fight.
- Illness – A sick rabbit may fight due to uncomfortable symptoms. I mean who has not been irritable when sick right? On the flip side, the healthy rabbit may be able to tell that the other rabbit is sick. He may fight to assert himself and be the dominant rabbit.
What are some of the injuries that my rabbit may sustain?
When you think of your pet bunnies, you probably think that the fights may just be minor skirmishes. However, rabbit fights can get quite ugly. The pet rabbit who does not win could be seriously injured. Rabbit fights can lead to the following injuries if you allow these fights to carry on for too long.
- Bites – A rabbit’s bite is pretty severe. A rabbit fight can get really bloody. A rabbit’s incisors are strong and sharp. In a fight, they can do some serious damage.
- Scratches – Your pet bunnies have sharp claws and in a fight, they know how to use it. Your rabbit may sustain an injury to their face especially noses and eyes.
- Bald Patches – During a fight, expect to see tufts of hair pulled out and on the floor of the cage.
What should I do when my rabbits are fighting?
Seeing your rabbits fighting can be a pretty scary experience. However, running about in a panic is not the answer. You should be prepared in case a fight breaks out in your cage. So, first of all, you should arm yourself with a few items:
- A spray bottle
- Tennis racket (if you have one handy)
- Long pants
- Gloves
It may seem like an odd list, but soon you will see how they will be used.
So during a fight, spray your pet bunnies in the face with water. This will cool them down and distract them so that you can get in there to break up the fight. A tennis racket can be used as a wedge to separate the fighting rabbits. The long pants and the gloves are for your protection so that you are not scratched while you are parting the fight.
What can you do about the aggression in rabbits?
Even though you are now equipped to part a fight, you may want a more permanent solution so that there are no more reoccurrences. You may want to consider spaying and neutering your rabbits. This procedure reduces the hormonal levels in bunnies. Most rabbit fights are hormonal fights. Male rabbits, in particular, become more settled after being neutered. If you have male rabbits that are kept together, this procedure is highly recommended. Take a trip to your veterinarian so that you can discuss your options.
How should I introduce my rabbits to each other?
If you are planning to introduce a new rabbit to your rabbit family, there are a few guidelines that can make the transition a bit smoother.
- Adjoining cages – So, it is not advisable to put a new rabbit in the same cage with your pet rabbit or rabbits right away. You should put the new rabbit in a cage next to the cage of your pet rabbit. This will give them some time to get accustomed to each other’s smell and get used to sharing a space.
- Monitor their behaviour – They may touch noses through the cages. After a few days, you may notice that your pet bunnies are becoming more comfortable and relaxed with each other. They may even begin to lie down. You should also try feeding them while they are near to each in the cages. If they are eating normally, this is a good sign.
- Let them meet face to face – so after some time has passed, you will want to let your pet bunnies have a play date. Set them down together and watch them closely. You can expect a lot of sniffing, circling and mounting. One pet rabbit will try to assert his dominance. It is important to be vigilant. If your bunnies look like they are attacking each other, remove them and put them in their separate cages.
- Be Patient – This process of fostering bonding can take a while. So patience is the key. You also have to consistent in your efforts.
What can I do if my rabbits are fighting regardless of my bonding sessions?
There is the possibility that your rabbits just don’t like each other. What do you do? So this is where your trusty spray bottle comes in handy. Every time they fight, you are going to spray them. After a while, they are going to get tired of the water in their faces. You may witness some sulky behaviour and eventually one of the bunnies may submit. An uneasy partnership may emerge. You should still monitor in case of the occasional fight.
Pet bunnies are an absolute delight. Even though rabbits may fight and fights are scary, they can be managed. So don’t give up hope and follow the steps consistently. Peace is possible when you introduce new bunnies to your rabbit family.
