Overgrooming?

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Haley

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Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone hasexperienced overgrooming with their bonded pairs. Ive heard of momrabbits doing this, but adults to other adults?

The reason I ask is because Lucys eyes are both pretty red rimmed. thefur around the eye looks like it has shed a bit. Its more on one eyethan the other. There is no discharge or swelling, just red. It looksinflamed or irritated, not infected. Tumnus's eyes look perfectly fineand Lucy hasnt had contact with anyone else.

Ive been watching them and he seems to be grooming her a lot in thatarea. Almost biting when he's licking. Should I separate them and seeif it clears up?

I just wanted some advice. I hate to separate them:(
 
Gosh, Haley, I can't help with this too much,but to ask, do you think you should serarate them b/c maybe one couldbox the other in play and possibly hit the eye area?
 
I have not gone through it but I have heard of it. I will look around.
 
yeah, I was too tired last night to do research.I just found a few articles on it and they said some bunnies willovergroom if they are stressed out.

Tumnus and Lucy have both been pretty stressed with those two unspayedfoster girls living in the next room. They can smell and hear them andIve been noticing they are marking things and pooping where they neverused to.

Im gonna try and move the foster girls somewhere where they cant smell/hear them. I hope thats all it is. My poor Lucy.
 
I was told by my vet that overgrooming can be a hormonal problem.

My buns are a well bonded pair and when one has a slight scratch orwound on them the other will clean the area more regularly than normal- maybe it helps with the healing process??
 
Mocha constantly over grooms Zoey's eyes. It'snot irritating the eyes tho but she does have bald patches on bothsides. Occasionally he allows them to grow in before licking/chewingthe hair again. I'm not really sure why he does it but I know what youmean about it looking like nibbling and around the eyes is the onlyspot Mocha does that.
 
Do Mocha's eyes look red-rimmed at all when hedoes this? Lucy's are red and a little inflamed. And there are littlebald patches under the eye. I'll try to get a pic today.

I dont know what to do because they really love eachother. Shes justletting him do this and I can tell it is painful for her becauseafterwards she is sitting there closing her eyes. I separated them fornow. Ive let them see eachother a few times and he just keeps doing it.I really dont know what to do.
 
Zoey's eyes are bald but not red or inflamed. Itry to keep an eye on it but so far only bad patches. And unless he'sbeen stressed for a full year, I have no idea why he does it to her.
 
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