Fighting rabbits

[Anaira]

I have two males, one about three years old, (neutered), and one about a year and a half. We didn't neuter him, because there wasn't really any need. He was a very mild-natured rabbit. Now he and Reuben have started fighting, and poor Reuben has some deep puncture wounds, and can't seem to stick up for himself. Is Willoughby developing hormones later than usual, and will a neuter calm him down? They are seperated now, but they used to be good friends; will Willoughby settle down? I thought rabbits usually started getting hormonal at about eight months. Has anyone else had a rabbit do this?

 

[kirbyultra]

How long have they been together? Willoughby is 1.5 yr old, but bunnies hit maturity much earlier, like 6 months. Not being neutered though, can be trying on a same-sex bonded pair. It might not have been hormones exactly, but maybe something happened between the two that upset Willoughby. Sometimes pairs break up over a series of squabbles, and sometimes it's completely transparent to the owners, even neutered/spayed pairs. There's not guarantee that neutering him will solve their problem but it couldn't hurt. If they are fighting so bad that one rabbit has deep wounds, it's best to separate them, and if you decide to neuter Willoughby, keep them apart about a month for his hormones to fully dissipate before attempting to re-bond them.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I think a neuter is the only way out of this one.Separate them now- the more fights, the more damage = vet bill. Neuter, then wait 1-2 months. You'll probably have to go through the re-bonding process again.

I hope it works out!

 

[Anaira]

Thanks guys. They've been together about um, eight months now? I think, anyway. Reuben wasn't neutered when we got him, and he was very aggressive. With humans and Willoughby. He's settled down a lot, since his neuter. They have already been seperated, and Willoughby will be neutered. Oh dear, so many vet bills all at once!

The bad thing is, none of my family like the rabbits, and keep telling me to get rid of them. Including my parents. I can't even bring them indoors without them kicking up a fuss.