I know, I know i should only be bonding the bunnies if they are both spayed, but they are not, and the current circumstances don’t allow for it right now, so please instead of telling me I should spay them (I will, just not right now), help me with what I should do.
I’ve been reading a lot about bonding, but would love some tips from experienced owners
Liela (pronounced like Delilah) is a 7 months old Mini Lop. I try to be around her as much as I can, but I’ve been looking for a companion to keep her company for when I’m not around. I found a girl who was looking to give away her 2 year old Polish Dwarf, Winnie, because she is moving out of the country. I’m a bit busy right now, but have enough time and patience to bond them.
So I bring home Winnie and she feels right at home, exploring and being friendly and acting like she’s lived her forever. Liela, though half her age but twice her size, is less than pleased. I made the mistake of introducing them in my bedroom, where Liela has lived for 5 months now. They were ok at first, but then Liela grabbed onto Winnie. I broke it up and Liela tried to come after me, so I put her in her cage (a very spacious bunny condo). Winnie seemed less that phased, god bless her little heart.
I started doing more reading and learned what a bad mistake this was. so next time i put them together was in a neutral space, the hallway. but then I made another stupid mistake of keeping Winnies little cage out there. They got along better out there, sniffing but no biting from Liela. But then Liela into WInnies cage and WInnie climbs in after her. Again, Liela grabs her by the neck. And Winnie, being the good girl she is, lets it all slide off her back and is totally cool and never fights back.
I did the hallway again yesterday with no cage or anything, and they got along fairly well. they sat right next to eachother at one point. Liela would chase and nip at her occasionally, but not grabbing or biting. I felt like it was progress, but not necessarily a break through.
So as it is now I let Winnie have roam of my bedroom most of the day, mostly to let her get her scent everywhere and because Liela has so much room inside her condo. I keep her tinier cage right next to Liela’s condo so they can be close without being together. Sometimes Liela is curious about Winnie and goes to the side of the cage to look at her if she’s close by, but other times she runs at her within her cage and seems agressive, and other times she tries to bite at her through her cage, and other times she doesn’t seem to care at all.
So what should I do now? I really do think there is hope for their bonding, so i’m willing for it to take weeks or months. Just keep doing what I’m doing and let them get together in the hallway?
I’m also curious about some techniques I’ve read about – bonding them during car rides, or bonding them in the bath tub. any other suggestions?