When we see rabbits, we imagine docile animals contentedly hopping around. For the most part, this is an accurate portrayal. However, if one rabbit annoys or irritates another rabbit, a fight can break out.
Rabbits are territorial animals, so hierarchy is very important to them. Two rabbits will often battle over dominant status. Also, rabbits are prey animals. Should they feel threatened, they’ll fight hard to survive. This survival instinct can lead to aggression between rabbits as they may squabble over food, water, attention, and territory.
The different reasons why rabbits fight one another.
Rabbits are not aggressive by nature. It’s one of the many advantages of having a rabbit. If rabbits are left to their own devices, they’ll usually be entirely content and docile the majority of the time. When a rabbit senses a threat to its safety, this can quickly change. Don’t be fooled by their sweet appearance. Their teeth and claws hurt, and two rabbits can fight to the point of injury and mutilation.
Biting is not always an act of aggression. However, if your rabbit is behaving aggressively, it can turn nasty. Rabbits are more than capable of tearing large clumps of fur from each other’s bodies. Rabbits take the protection of their home and territory seriously. If they feel that another rabbit is attempting to steal their territory, they’ll fiercely defend it. Another common cause of aggression is stablishing dominance. Like all pack animals, rabbits live by a strict hierarchy.
Any warren in the wild will have a leader, and the same goes for multiple rabbits kept in captivity. This dominant rabbit will get to eat first and be groomed by surbodinate rabbits. Naturally, every rabbit wants to be in this position. This means that they may need to fight for social status.
Captive rabbits may also be frustrated with their lack of freedom. Rabbits need to exercise and to embrace their natural instincts. Taking this freedom from a rabbit leaves it with an excess of energy that cannot be expended. This, in turn, can lead to aggression between rabbits.
Hormones also play a part in rabbit aggression. You will no doubt be aware of the saying, “mating like rabbits.” Female rabbits, in particular, have a biological urge to reproduce and raise young. Unfixed males will be aiming to mate. Rabbits can grow frustrated and aggressive.
In theory, the solution to fighting rabbits is keeping them alone in a pen. Ironically, rabbits are at their happiest when kept in pairs. Despite the fighting, they thrive in social settings. This is understandable when we think about a rabbit in the wild. These animals live in warrens with dozens of fellow bunnies keeping them company. Alone time is an alien concept to wild rabbits.
A rabbit forced to live alone can become very stressed, lonely, and depressed. No matter how much care you put into your pet parenting, rabbits need friends of their own species.
They should always live in pairs, at least – provided you take the appropriate steps. If your rabbit is going to live alone, keep them indoors in a busy area. This way, they’ll at least receive the stimulation of human interaction and company.
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