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Fighting Sisters

22 10:07:55

Question
Hello, I have two mini lops (not neutered yet, as we wanted to wait until they are over one years old) from the same family. They're bonded, but every time we wash them (or even if we wash only one of them) they start fighting, and often sustain injuries, often tearing a hole in each other's ear, as well as scratching, chasing, circling, pulling out hair and growling. I've also noticed that the one that hasn't been washed this time bites the other on the nose, and this usually starts the chasing. Is this serious, and are there any solution to this problem? Thanks, Kim.

Answer
Dear Kim,

Why are you washing the rabbits?  This should *never* be done, as rabbits keep themselves quite clean without help, unless they are ill or suffering from "messy butt".  If that's the case, then please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html

Bathing will remove their normal scent, and since bunnies recognize each other largely by scent, you are disrupting their social order by removing their natural smells.  They also probably hate those baths, and may be taking out their ill humor by attacking each other after those baths!  So my STRONG advice to you:  stop the baths! Never!  Too many rabbits actually die from the stress of a bath, and since they are not necessary, you are taking a big risk with this.

I hope this helps solve the problem.

Dana