Aggressive grooming

[Semac]

I have a bonded male/female pair. The female (Raisin), grooms the male (Gus) to the point where he has wounds. The first time it was a half moon scrape on the side of his head. The latest one is the corner of one of his eyes, he has a small cut. I have them separated now so Gus’s cut can heal. Any ideas on how I can stop Raisin from being so aggressive with her grooming?

 

[WhiteBunnyEcho]

My rabbit, Zola, did this to her bonded companion, Echo, soon after I adopted her. I learned that it’s often called barbering and occurs when the rabbit is a little bored.

The fix is pretty much, make your rabbits pen larger and provide lots of toys and fresh hay.

 

[JBun]

What is your rabbits diet like? Sometimes diet can play a role.

 

[Semac]

They are in a room that is about 20’ x 10’, plus they have another area that is about 6’x3’ that I let them in that has tunnels and assorted other play things. The play area is shared with another bonded pair, only one pair allowed in the ply area at a time.
Their diet is a constant supply of Timothy/orchard hay, 1/4 cup of oxbow organic pellets with a sprinkle of organic oats, handful of organic mixed greens, per rabbit per day.

 

[WhiteBunnyEcho]

It sounds like everything is great. It may simply be a phase if you just bonded them? As I mentioned earlier, my Netherland dwarf female, Zola, did this to my male Netherland so much that he had a big bald patch on his head. There wasn’t any cuts though.. only missing hair where she groomed excessively. I didn’t change much of her routine and she stopped after about 2 weeks. How long

Have you saw Raisin do this to Gus? It may not be barbering but possibly little quarrels? How long have they been bonded?

 

[Semac]

They have been bonded for about 6 months. Yes I have seen the grooming taking place. It almost like she is gnawing on him. She has been what I would call an aggressive groomer since the start but not to the point of cutting him. They are miserable apart, I would like to figure out what to do so they can live together without Gus being brutalized by Raisin.

 

[WhiteBunnyEcho]

If it’s the same area, maybe try a safe essential oil in that spot so Raisin avoids grooming there? Obviously something safe to be on Gus though..

 

[Semac]

Yes I can try that. Right now the favorite spot seems to be in the corner of his left eye. Might be a challenge to put something there. I just tried putting them back together and she immediately went for that same spot. Seems they will have to live apart for awhile.

 

[WhiteBunnyEcho]

aww, poor Gus. Good luck! I hope Raisin gets over her excessive grooming soon!