Rabbit needs rehoming- I feel such an arsehole

[RabbitSadFace]

We got two rabbits - brothers - six months ago. Indoors rabbits with a large hutch, but mainly having free run of a big room.

All was going well, they were totally inseparable, enjoyed being stroked and playing. Then one started to show signs of maturity and becoming the dominant one. They had a few scuffles where we had to separate them, but nothing too serious.

Six weeks ago they were neutered. Op went well and for the first 24 hours they snuggled up together and all was good. Then one suddenly became very aggressive and it’s been a total nightmare ever since.

We’ve tried rebonding them - following all the guidance, but it’s getting worse not better. At first it was the dominant one being aggressive. Then it seemed to switch, and now the other has turned into a total psychopath. I think he’s traumatised.

It’s been six weeks, and I’m so close to giving up and rehoming one. Because they have to be totally separate, they each have half the space and time with a whole room. It’s just not enough space for them, and we don’t have space for both to have totally separate spaces.

The previously dominant one is happy as anything, but the other seems to be getting increasingly upset and his behaviour has changed so much. I think the dominant one has basically made the whole space “his” and the other is now just totally confused.

If you got this far, thank you! I have three questions:

1. Is there anything else we can try?
   
2. If we can’t get them to be friends again, I think we are going to have to rehome one. He’s miserable, but I feel like such an arsehole. Any guidance on re homing?
   
3. How the fuck do we explain this to DD? She’s going to be devastated. Again, I’m an arsehole.
   

It was all going so well

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I don’t know anything about rabbits but I have a similar situation with my cats. Is there a product similar to feliway for rabbits at all?!

You shouldn’t feel bad if you have to rehome - you’re doing it for the right reasons. It’s not like you just go bored with them and decided to give them up.

[Poppins2016]

Unfortunately the fake pheromones in Feliway only work on cats!

The suggestion did give me an idea, though... you could try this: bonding spray

[RabbitSadFace]

Thanks - I've just ordered some of the bonding spray. Even if it doesn't help to bond them, it might help to make the stressed one less stressed.

Started talking to DD about how worried I am about the rabbit situation and us not being able to sort it out. She's suggested I speak to the vet today - smart kid!

Any other suggestions would be great - TIA

[Poppins2016]

Very smart kid, vet is a good idea!

If you've tried everything and do eventually need to rehome, use a rescue centre as they'll be able to ensure the next home is suitable. But hopefully it won't come to that!

The bonding process can take 6 months, so 6 weeks is early... I wouldn't give up just yet!

[bunnygeek]

I would recommend speaking to local rabbit rescues.

Unfortunately this is really common with young pairs who hit sexual maturity and then scrap before neutering. Unfortunately they also remember who they've had a fight with and rebonding is tricky and never guaranteed, especially with same sex pairs.

It may be better to chat to a local rescue about rehoming one and rebonding the remaining one with a spayed female. A male/female neutered pair is a more solid pairing than same sex.

[bunnygeek]

Also: if you speak to a vet, make sure it's a rabbit savvy one ;)

Rabbits are classed as exotics so not all vets can offer good rabbit advice. For a vet to know rabbits and be up to date on their care, they would need to have done extra courses and regularly attend extra talks and conferences. The absolute minimum (honestly it's shocking) on rabbit care is included on regular vet training courses.

There's a rabbit-friendly vet list here:
rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-welfare-association-fund/our-work/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

[Easterbunnygettingready]

It was suggested I get a neutered male!! One of my pair of girls died and the surviving one is miserable.
Can you just get a new set up so they are just ndn not roommates??

[Poppins2016]

Previous posters have prompted an idea... if it comes to rehoming, you could find out whether you could do a "bunny swap" with a rescue centre.

I ended up being given a friends rabbit, who seemed desperately lonely, so I arranged to take her to a local rescue to choose herself a friend. She was put in a pen with a couple of potential friends (one at a time) and chose herself a handsome 9 year old neutered male and they bonded for life, it was adorable and a joy to watch them together.
You might be able to do something similar... rabbits are social animals and they really do appreciate a companion.

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

@Poppins2016

Previous posters have prompted an idea... if it comes to rehoming, you could find out whether you could do a "bunny swap" with a rescue centre.

I ended up being given a friends rabbit, who seemed desperately lonely, so I arranged to take her to a local rescue to choose herself a friend. She was put in a pen with a couple of potential friends (one at a time) and chose herself a handsome 9 year old neutered male and they bonded for life, it was adorable and a joy to watch them together.
You might be able to do something similar... rabbits are social animals and they really do appreciate a companion.

Aww how lovely! Like a rabbit dating agency. Maybe you should start one - Plenty of Rabbits

[Poppins2016]

@MarkRuffaloCrumble

Plenty of Rabbits, I love it!

...and you'd have to make sure they were all neutered otherwise there really would end up being plenty of rabbits

[GreenHairThingy]

Not a rabbit expert but this reminds me of a friend's situation.

Are both rabbits healthy?

Friend had similar, one rabbit bullied and basically hated the other (having previously been happy together) and after about a week of this, one day the less dominant rabbit had died overnight. Turned out, according to the vet, he had probably been unwell and they hadn't known, but the other rabbit apparently knew and had basically turned against him to look out for himself.

[GreenHairThingy]

Also, you absolutely do not sound like an arse hole at all. You are trying to resolve the problem and asking for advice.

[RabbitSadFace]

Thanks for not thinking I'm an arsehole!

I think they are both healthy and ok. The vet saw them six weeks ago, and both are eating, drinking, weeing and shitting as usual (how do rabbits create so much shit?!). But certainly something to keep an eye on.

Loving the idea of bunny speed dating - I'll call around some of the local rescue centers, see if they can recommend anything.

It's just all so sad - they were so sweet and close before their op. It's now like a switch has been flicked on both of them. I'll keep trying them together every couple of days - they managed only a few seconds today

[Easterbunnygettingready]

Wonder if they would play spin the carrot instead of a bottle at parties? ?

[BlackInk]

Some rabbit rescue centres will offer a bonding service. Rabbits are more likely to not fight if they're on neutral ground. When we adopted a male rescue bunny to live with our female after her old mate passed away we totally failed to bond them. Sent them to a rescue centre for bonding and they've been great ever since. Best bunny money I ever spent! Or a bunny swap through a rescue is a great idea.
It's notoriously difficult to keep 2 males or 2 females together. Mixed (neutered) pairs are much more likely to work out.

[Deena07]

@RabbitSadFace how is it going?
Unfortunately this is so common and once boys hit maturity they can be a pain to bond with each other! Same with having two girls who want to be in charge.

Baring in mind it can take 8 week for rabbits hormones to completely die down after neutering, then you can let them live side by side in a pen for a while, then as they seem more comfortable you can swap their litter trays around so they have each others scent without the actual bun being there.
Then you need to introduce them in a small neutral space, most people use the bathroom floor, it is normal for them to hump, nip and thump, if they are full on fighting / drawing blood, you need to remove them and try again another time. If they are circling each other, you need to shrink the space so they can't. Always have a towel on hand in case they start fighting, that way you can break it up without getting injured.
If they lay down that is great, if you offer some hay and they eat, that is great too, shows they are comfortable with each other, then you can slowly open up the space a little, gradually open up the space every time they are being good, until they are able to be in an open room. Once I put my buns together, I try to continue bonding 24/7, without removing them if all goes well, as removing them can interrupt the bonding process. Obviously you know your buns and if it is way too much for one, then maybe they need to live next to each other a little longer.

If you do manage to get them okay with each other, it might be worth sleeping in the same room as them the first night, as they are more active at night, you'll need to completely disinfect all their stuff though, so it is all neutral smells and isn't one or the other's territory. F10 cleaning solution is perfect and veterinary grade cleaner.

Some buns take a second to bond, others takes weeks or even months, but I've personally never met a bun that I haven't managed to bond with a potential parter. I have and had buns of my own, I also used to take in unwanted buns, get them neutered, vaccined, bonded and found them their forever homes, which was so rewarding.

Once bonded they need to go everywhere together, even to the vets.

Bear in mind they are more active dawn and dusk and need to burn off their energy generally when we are asleep, so if you have a hutch, you'll need a permanent pen attached or you can get a dog pen, which is pretty high and add a hide and litter tray in.

If you go down the rehoming route, I definitely recommend a rescue they will make sure they are up to date with vaccines and pair them with a perfect partner, ready for their new home. Most rescues will do the speed dating that has already been mentioned, so you can hopefully find the remaining bun a wife.

Best of Luck whatever you decide or have decided!