Rabbits are social creatures that have gentle and calm nature. These social animals can be kept in groups, but the journey of their friendship is not always smooth. It is obvious to have disagreements or occasional disputes that result in fights, but sometimes, they are dangerous for each other.
Rabbits fight each other due to limited food resources, changes in habitat, mating conflicts, injury or illness, gender differences, hormonal changes, old age, crowding, and territorial disputes. In addition, they also attack to protect their babies, show dominance, and tease or bully each other. Intense fights usually result in serious injuries, so monitor bunnies’ behavior after introducing them to the cage.
Different reasons account for fighting behavior of rabbits when they attack strangers and friends. This article highlights why rabbits fight each other and helps you know how to deal with these situations and avoid their aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, you can have valuable insight into providing them better care and attention relevant to social dynamics and according to the reasons for conflicts.
Content
Reason # 1: Limited food resources
Reason # 2: Changes in habitat
Reason # 3: Injury or illness
Reason # 4: Protect babies
Reason # 5: Gender differences
Reason # 6: Hormonal changes
Reason # 7: Teasing or bullying
Reason # 8: Old age
Reason # 9: Dominance
Reason # 10: Territorial disputes
Reason # 11: Crowding
Reason # 1: Limited food resources
Limited amount of food and water resources is the leading cause of conflict between rabbits because their well-being and survival depend on the availability of the resources.
They behave aggressively when they do not find enough food to fulfill their dietary requirements. Provide enough food and other essential resources to reduce the chances of fights between them.
You should consider the demands of individual rabbits inside the cage while offering food because they can harm each other while eating from the food bowl.
In addition, environmental stimulation and enrichment activities effectively reduce boredom and stress. Regular monitoring and addressing the signs of aggression can promptly harmonize them in the group.
Reason # 2: Changes in habitat
Changes in habitat definitely cause fights between them, as any alterations to their habitat disrupt their established territories. It leads to conflicts among the fellows.
In addition, they have complex social structures in their habitats or colonies where subordinates or dominant individuals live together.
The changes in their habitat also disrupt the hierarchies in new or changed communities. It leads to power struggles while competing to establish dominance or social hierarchy.
Overall, the alteration in habitat disturbs the delicate balance in their societies. During adaptation to new environment and habitat conditions, there is an increased aggression, conflicts, and competition.
Reason # 3: Injury or illness
When a rabbit is ill or injured, its behavior changes accordingly. It becomes more irritable, aggressive, or defensive, specifically when they are vulnerable or feeling pain.
On the other hand, some companions of ill rabbits fight with others for defense and protection. The stress levels of an ill bunny are heightened, so they are more prone to fall into a conflict.
Moreover, a pet owner should keep an ill or injured pet separate from the healthy one because the healthy bunnies irritate them sometimes.
So, providing appropriate attention and care to them helps mitigate behavioral issues and promote a harmonious social environment in communities.
Reason # 4: Protect babies
The parent rabbits protect their babies and fight with others when they pose a risk of attack to their babies, and these parents consider others a threat to their babies.
Both male and female parents show protective behaviors for their kits. However, the female bunnies are more concerned about their fellows and babies, so they keep invaders away from their little bunnies.
When a strange rabbit attempts to interact with or approach their babies, the aggressive response of parents is triggered. This results in a fight between the new rabbit and the parents. You should specify the chamber for food and provide adequate food and water to save them from predators.
Reason # 5: Gender differences
The gender differences also contribute to conflicts between rabbits, specifically in breeding seasons. The male (bucks) and females (does) fight with one another for territory, dominance, or hierarchy.
Moreover, they are more aggressive in securing their resources from females, so they end up fighting. Also, an old male shows more dominance or aggressiveness over younger ones and females, leaving them devoid of resources.
Reason # 6: Hormonal changes
Hormones play a crucial role in demonstrating rabbits’ behavior that changes over a period of time when they are bonded for a longer time period.
They become aggressive when their hormones are at their peak at any life stage, but they usually fight each other in adulthood. They attack when their hormones for aggressive behaviors reach their peak.
as young ones do not sexually matureThe adult males and females usually fight more, as young ones are not sexually mature. They attack to get a chance to mate when a small number of female rabbits are available for a large number of males
The adult males and females usually fight more, as young ones are not sexually mature. They attack to get a chance to mate when a small number of female rabbits are available for a large number of males in the cage.
In some cases, the female bunnies have higher amounts of progesterone and estrogen in their bodies and attack other females to seek an opportunity for mating with a few male bunnies inside the enclosure.
This behavior is particularly driven by their natural instincts to mate. In males, this instinct increases the production of testosterone, which influences the aggressive behavior in rabbits.
The choice of female bunny also matters as they become aggressive and fight when an unwanted male rabbit attempts to court her forcefully.
Reason # 7: Teasing or bullying
The behaviors of teasing and bullying can also become the reason for fights. Usually, dominant rabbits are involved in showing this behavior to assert their position or status.
They bully their subordinates by mounting, nipping or chasing. Teasing or bullying behaviors are more common in wild species than in domestic ones.
The aggressive behavior of male bunnies towards females is considered harassment or bullying. If they are forcefully mounted by them and show no interest, then they show aggressive behavior and fight.
Consequently, bullying or teasing is the leading cause of physical confrontation and aggressive displays.
Reason # 8: Old age
Older rabbits get irritated easily and are sensitive due to health problems, changes in hormone levels, social dynamics, and environmental factors.
It increases the likelihood of fighting with other fellows. However, keeping old and young bunnies separate from each other can decrease the risk of fights between them.
The younger rabbits are extremely playful or energetic, giving stress to older ones that get irritated. Consequently, they end up in a conflict of interests with young bunnies.
Monitoring their changing behaviors and the reasons behind their stress and irritation is essential. Furthermore, appropriate care and provision of an enriched environment can reduce the likelihood of fight.
Reason # 9: Dominance
They are not dominant by birth, but sometimes, they establish dominance in their social groups. Dominance hierarchies form among rabbits living in a group.
There are several behavioral characteristics associated with this behavior, and mounting is one of them. The dominant bunny humps or mounts other fellows in the group and shows dominance.
In addition, they chase their subordinates in groups to assert their position hierarchically. They vocalize aggressively and attack their fellows from their front paws and lunging.
They also defend or specify certain places for themselves in enclosures when living with other friends. Providing suitable socialization, housing, enough resources, space, and other opportunities can help minimize the risk of fights among pets.
Reason # 10: Territorial disputes
They are territorial animals, particularly when they are in a wild environment. If you want to introduce a new pet bunny in an already existing group, then introduce them on neutral ground.
Putting a new bunny in an enclosure without introducing it to others living in the cage is not recommended. Others feel uncomfortable in such a situation and consider the new entry as an invader.
In this situation, it is more likely to see them fighting as the old rabbits try to protect their territories. At the same time, the new rabbit also defends itself by attacking others and gets injured.
Reason # 11: Crowding
Crowding is a significant factor causing fights, particularly when they are kept in a confined place. They are territorial animals, so small cages or enclosures for a large group of rabbits give rise to anger in them.
Aggression and heightened competition for space create conflicts between them. However, this exacerbating tension and conflict can be reduced in rabbits’ communities by providing them enough space to live in.
The rabbits of different ages must be kept in separate enclosures to avoid such fights. They can coexist peacefully in a spacious and comfortable environment.