Fighting!

Question
QUESTION: I have two male rabbits, 4 months old or so. I'm not sure if they're brothers because they don't look alike, but the pet store did receive them from the same place, so they have been together their whole life.I've had them for about 3 months and they were the closest friends I've ever seen. One was clearly dominant as he cleaned the other a lot and mounted him sometimes and is just overall more active. I was visiting family and had to return home  today, so they took a 5 hour car ride with me. They have traveled for this long in a car about 6 times or so, and although they won't eat or drink during the trip, they act fine afterwards. When we got home today, I put them in their playpen as usual and everything was great. About three hours later, I hear horrible noises and find them literally rolling around on the ground fighting. I couldn't believe it. I grabbed the aggressive one and he started screaming this shrill sound which supposedly they only do in fear or death! I can't remember though if he was already screaming before I picked him up or not. This is so bizarre because they were very, very close. I separated them for about an hour (and they both seemed fine, although the one that screamed seemed a little more shaken up). I just tried putting them back in and sure enough, they were circling, staring at each other, and started to almost nip a little so I grabbed the aggressive one again. Was this nipping normal or would it probably escalate? I don't know what to do! I only have one cage for them but clearly, I can't put them back together. Why do you think they would all of a sudden fight like this? I did give one of them a toy about 30 mins before but they share everything. Maybe the stress of the car...? Please help me out!! Thank you for your time!"


ANSWER: Hi Marissa,

Do not put them back together.  You are experiencing what we call "boy bunny".  They are becoming sexually mature.  It is extremely rare that two unaltered males can coexist (similar thing with females).  They will battle for dominance.  This hormone induced rage can come on suddenly.  It will usually be accompanied by spraying urine to mark territory.  This will only get worse. Rabbit fights can be brutal....and fatal.  The cure for this is a neuter....and quickly.  Even at this young age, it will take time for the hormones to purge before attempting to rebond them.  

Depending on your location, it might be difficult to find a vet.  Sedating and treating a rabbit is an entirely different world than dogs and cats.  Protocols used with cat/dog surgeries and follow up treatment can easily be fatal to rabbits.  They are very fragile.  But in the hands of a skilled and experienced rabbit vet, the risks are no higher than any other species.  We have been thru many surgeries. There are also some special procedures for rabbits both pre-op and post-op.

Randy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Randy,
Thank you so much for your advice. This website has been helpful to me beyond words! I have an appt. at a vet tomorrow to get these boys neutered. I have one last question (for now!). I have to go into the hospital this weekend, from Friday to Sunday (roughly 72 hours). I am a grad student and am broke! and I'm wondering if you think it is safe to leave bunnies at my house for this time, in separate cages, of course, with a full bottle of water and lots of food. Is this safe to do, or harmful, in your opinion? Also, do rabbits know when to stop eating, or do they just keep consuming whatever they have? I'm wondering if they'd simply eat all of the food right away and then maybe be too hungry the last 24 hours. Thank you again for your help!!!

Answer
Hi Marissa,

I would not leave them alone for that period of time.  Too many bad things can happen.  And they most likely will do a lot of eating intially which can lead to some digestive problems that will cost lots of money to fix.  I would see if a friend would be willing to come in at least once a day to feed them and make sure everything is OK.  I would have them come in this week so you can show them what to do and make sure the rabbits are familiar with the person.

Randy