Won't stop digging and fighting

[kevinkchan]

I have two female mini lops that have been in the same cage for about 9 months but then they randomly started fighting occasionally so I decided to get them both spayed. When they came back, they tried to attack each other so I gave them two different cages. Still, when they see each other they will try to attack each other. Also, one of them won't stop digging in her cage even though the bottom of the cage is plastic and she is not getting anywhere. She digs about 10 hours a day. She never dug more than 5 minutes before getting spayed. And neither of them were this aggressive toward each other until after getting spayed. I'm not sure whats wrong. Please help!

 

[RandomWiktor]

That sounds like a stereotypical behavior. It may have been triggered by hormonal changes from the spay or even personality changes from adverse reaction to the anesthesia. How long ago did this start?

Also, what kind of behavioral enrichment are you offering? How much out of cage time do your buns get? What methods have you used to try introducing them, if any?

 

[RandomWiktor]

Bleh, can't edit my post. What I meant it to say was:

"Obsessive digging? That sounds like a stereotypical behavior. They're usually linked to boredom but the fact that this arose just after the surgery makes me think it could be something else. We sometimes observe these when animals are stressed or in pain; was the surgery recent? The behavior could be from post-operative stress or pain. It may have also been triggered by hormonal changes from the spay or even personality changes from adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Many folks have reported marked differences in disposition or behavior after surgeries in pets across the board. How long ago did this start?

Also, to cover all bases,what kind of behavioral enrichment are you offering? How much out of cage time do your buns get? What methods have you used to try introducing them, if any?"

 

[kevinkchan]

I got them spayed about 1 month ago and she started digging 1 week after.

Their cages are multi-leveled and about 50"x40"x30" so they have plenty of room. I gave Brownie (the one that won't stop digging) phone books to dig but she destroys each one in about an hour and just keeps digging the cage.

They used to get a few hours outside of the cage each day but now when I let them out of the cage they go to the other bunnies cage and start biting it (I'm assuming) to try to get in and they eventually just go back into their own cage.

I haven't tried to introduce them because they grew up together and never fought up until they were spayed.

 

[tamsin]

It does sound like frustration, possibly from a mix of aggression directed at each other an not having enough stimulation.

That's a nice size for a cage but it doesn't replace their need to run about and really stretch their legs. My bun can travel 20' in seconds so 5' just isn't enough room to really let loose. If you give them the opportunity to wear themselves out a bit more they have less energy for digging.

Although the digging started after the spay in effect it also started after she lost the 2hours exercise time so I think that's a big factor. My bun will start digging in corners if I'm late letting him out at his normal time.

Try putting a barrier around the cage when they are out so they can't see each other. A sheet of card may work