Male bunny suddenly become aggressive - please help :(

[bellaarchie]

Hi, I'm new here, I have two house rabbits, one female who is 4 and one male who is 2, both have been neutered. Both have been fully bonded for the past two years and ordinarily spend all their time together, grooming eachother and cuddling up together etc, and although they are still doing this a fair amount, this past few days, Archie, my male rabbit has started being a bit aggressive - he occasionally chases Bella (my doe) and lunges at her, although he hasn't actually tried to bite her. He is healthy, and not showing any signs of pain/illness. There hasn't been any changes in the environment. The only thing that I can think of that has been different is that I started volunteering this week at a rabbit sanctuary, and when I came back I obviously stank of other rabbits because Archie was sniffing me a lot, and then he lunged at Bella. I changed my clothes and had a bath, but he has periodically continued this behaviour since them - could this be the cause? They are currently sat cuddled up together after a minor scuffle, and I don't know if I'm over worrying, but this has shaken me up a bit as they normally get on so well and I'm worried incase this gets worse. Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this as I'm flummoxed- could it be that I came back smelling of different rabbits or am I being really dumb for even thinking this? Thanks for reading this!

 

[Happi Bun]

The scent of other rabbits could very well be the cause. I have a spayed/neutered bonded pair who have been together for many years. Sometimes I take in rescues and have experienced the same reaction with them. My male (Dunkin) appears to get territorial at the smell and sight of other rabbits and will take it out on his mate (Amber). It is always just some chasing and a bit of light nipping, nothing serious, and doesn't last long. They always go back to being in love again, haha.

Like with any relationship, arguments are bound to happen now and then. I would only get concerned if:
-there was physical damage happening (hair being pulled, wounds, etc)
-Either rabbit was being put under great emotional distress because of it

But it sounds to me like it is what I've experienced with my bonded pair. They get in a bit of a squabble and are over it pretty quickly.

Hopefully Archie will get used to the other rabbit smells over time and will calm down. :bunny24

 

[bellaarchie]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, it's really reassured me they seem back to their usual cuddled up selves today, and there hasn't been any more chasing, and there's not been any hair pulling or biting when it has happened, so I'm guessing it is not too much to worry about - I'm going to take a change of clothes next time I volunteer and get changed before I come back in, hopefully that'll help! Thanks again