I have 2 lionhead rabbits, brothers, named Milo and Gus. We got them when they were about 9 weeks old and they will be a year old in September. We were very naive about rabbits when we got them and we got 2 so they could keep each other company. And at first, it was great. They napped together and played and groomed each other and everyone was happy.
Then, at around 4 months Gus became extremely aggressive towards Milo and started attacking him. We did all the normal things- separated them, had them fixed, etc. and things improved. At the time we lived in a home with a very large sun-room where they could run around and play several hours a day, and it was large enough that they could both be out at the same time and not bother each other.
Fast forward to now... We have moved into a smaller home with no sun-room or patio for them to run around. They are currently in our spare bedroom and it seems like the move or smaller quarters has only made Gus more aggressive. We can no longer have them out at the same time. Gus constantly chases after poor Milo. But, even when they are out at separate times, Gus is still so aggressive!! If he is out, he spends all of his play time trying to get to Milo through his cage, or he tries to rip up the carpet and pees everywhere. I have to be with him, constantly shooing him away from Milo's cage or stop his destructive behavior, the entire time he is out! And when it is Milo's turn to run free and play, Gus goes nuts in his cage, trying to bite him through the bars. I feel terrible for poor Milo! He is already very skiddish and probably traumatized by all this. Neither of them has ever been affectionate towards us and they don't like to be held, but Milo actually cowers if you try to pet him in his cage. It breaks my heart
We are seriously considering finding Gus a new home so that Milo can heal and maybe become a social bunny! Other than being skiddish of us, he is a very good rabbit. When he is out he doesn't chew or destroy anything and he always uses his litter box. He can be left unattended without me having to worry much, which he and I both like. Gus is my little problem child.
I am at my wits end with this situation. I don't know how to make it better or what to do. And to boot, Gus has started to show some aggression towards me. Today when I was cleaning his cage and litter box he kept trying to nudge my hand out of the cage, which he has never done before. And he nipped at me when I was refilling his food bowl the other day. Please help!! Is finding a new home for Gus the only option?
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
Then, at around 4 months Gus became extremely aggressive towards Milo and started attacking him. We did all the normal things- separated them, had them fixed, etc. and things improved. At the time we lived in a home with a very large sun-room where they could run around and play several hours a day, and it was large enough that they could both be out at the same time and not bother each other.
Fast forward to now... We have moved into a smaller home with no sun-room or patio for them to run around. They are currently in our spare bedroom and it seems like the move or smaller quarters has only made Gus more aggressive. We can no longer have them out at the same time. Gus constantly chases after poor Milo. But, even when they are out at separate times, Gus is still so aggressive!! If he is out, he spends all of his play time trying to get to Milo through his cage, or he tries to rip up the carpet and pees everywhere. I have to be with him, constantly shooing him away from Milo's cage or stop his destructive behavior, the entire time he is out! And when it is Milo's turn to run free and play, Gus goes nuts in his cage, trying to bite him through the bars. I feel terrible for poor Milo! He is already very skiddish and probably traumatized by all this. Neither of them has ever been affectionate towards us and they don't like to be held, but Milo actually cowers if you try to pet him in his cage. It breaks my heart
We are seriously considering finding Gus a new home so that Milo can heal and maybe become a social bunny! Other than being skiddish of us, he is a very good rabbit. When he is out he doesn't chew or destroy anything and he always uses his litter box. He can be left unattended without me having to worry much, which he and I both like. Gus is my little problem child.I am at my wits end with this situation. I don't know how to make it better or what to do. And to boot, Gus has started to show some aggression towards me. Today when I was cleaning his cage and litter box he kept trying to nudge my hand out of the cage, which he has never done before. And he nipped at me when I was refilling his food bowl the other day. Please help!! Is finding a new home for Gus the only option?
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
