Bonded rabbits usually get on well over long periods of time. It's not uncommon for rabbits to occasionally scuffle, even in bonded pairs, but if they are having proper fights and pulling fur out that's usually a sign that their bond has broken. Usually, something has happened to break the bond two rabbits have.
Rabbits hold grudges. For this reason, it is best to avoid allowing them to get in an all-out fight. You need to determine, however, whether their behavior is actually fighting or playing as some of the behaviors overlap. Rabbits will nip at each other to get the other's attention.
One rabbit will chase the other to claim dominance during the bonding process. This is expected behavior that should not be discouraged. If a chase goes on for longer than 30 seconds, interrupt the rabbits, so it does not turn into a fight.
They will eventually stop fighting and either ignore each other or become friends. This process depends on your active and vigilant participation. If fighting is serious, the bunnies should be separated when unsupervised. Once they seem to be getting along, they can be re-introduced into familiar territory.
A rabbit may fight to show dominance. Biting and nipping are also mating behaviour. Paradoxically, rabbits may even fight as part of their bonding process. Bonded rabbits can fight, too.
In general, the only time you should give up on bonding rabbits is when they have injured each other. You should also reevaluate the bond if one rabbit is a bully, making the other rabbit anxious and afraid to eat, use the litter box, or even move around too much.
This aggression is hormonal and indicates a normal desire to defend their territory and ward off any rivals. This behaviour can often disappear by the end of the summer and may not reappear until the following spring. This behaviour should be reduced by neutering (males) and spaying (females).
Despite their docile appearance, rabbits can be quite fierce when they want to. Fighting rabbits use their sharp teeth and claws to attack each other, which can easily draw blood, and kick quite hard as well. Rabbits know how to cause damage so often attack each other's faces, bellies and genitals.
Watch for aggressive behaviors: tail up, ears back, growling, boxing, circling, chasing and biting. If one of these behavior occurs several times in a row; if neither rabbit backs down; if it leads to further aggressive behaviors, it should be interrupted.
If your rabbits are fighting, then they will growling and hissing at each other. If they are playing, they will be making a squeaking sound. You can also try to separate them and see if they continue to play. If they continue to play, then they are probably playing.
Keeping rabbits together
Rabbits can live happily together as: a neutered male and a neutered female – often the most successful combination. two litter brothers or two litter sisters – although there is no risk of pregnancy, it's important to still neuter as hormones will cause them to fight as they get older.
Rabbits can be left alone together safely once they're showing positive behaviours towards one another. Always speak to your vet for more detailed advice before attempting to bond rabbits.
Although trying to bond rabbits will inevitably be stressful to them, there are other factors that cause stress too and every rabbit owner should be aware of them.
Biting and nipping are part of normal rabbit behaviour. A rabbit may give another rabbit a nip to establish boundaries, or to tell the other rabbit that it has overstepped. Also, rabbit may bite another rabbit to establish dominance.
Grunting: Grunting noises are angry reactions towards another rabbit or a person and should be heeded as a warning to back off; otherwise the rabbit might escalate by scratching or biting. Rabbits grunt when they feel threatened or territorial. Thumping: Thumping is an attention getting behavior.
Depending on the severity of the offence, a rabbit can hold a grudge from hours to several days. Sometimes, a simple stroke on the forehead or an apologetic treat can remedy a miffed bunny, but if your rabbit is truly offended, they can sulk for quite some time!
A rabbit who is angry will quickly twitch their tail up and down. Beware the rabbit holding their tail up, it is frequently followed by spraying. Rabbits who are not spayed and neutered will spread their scent by spraying everything in sight. They may also do this when they are upset or simply dislike a person.
In the days and weeks following its partners death, your rabbit may be withdrawn and hide away from you. It may even show aggression towards you, even if it has never been aggressive before. Others may seek you out for companionship, following you around and lying down close to your chair.
If you find you are stuck in the bonding process, try switching up the bonding area. Sometimes the first location you choose is not a place that's working for your rabbits. The area might not be neutral enough, or your rabbits might just not like the place. Try experimenting with different sized spaces as well.
There is no set time for how long a bond will take, some take hours some take days but as a minimum time scale we would suggest that you put aside two days at least where you can be with the rabbits 24/7 to err on the side of caution. Be prepared to sleep next to them and be on hand to ensure everything is going well.
Rabbits are very loving, social animals, which means they not only love to spend time with their humans – they require it. Without human interaction, rabbits can get bored, even to the point of becoming lonely and depressed.
The easiest way to tell which one of your rabbits is dominant is to watch their grooming. A dominant rabbit will groom the other rabbits far less and for shorter periods of time than the other animals. A dominant rabbit will often thrust their heads towards the other rabbits.