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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BONDING Another bunny drama in Alfie’s world!

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    • Alfiebuns
      Participant
      102 posts Send Private Message

        Hi all,

         

        So I seem to be turning to binky bunny a lot these days with my dramas so I apologise for always coming on here to vent/problematise/be dull.

         

        However, I do need more help!

        Alfie is my male bundle of love, he was bonded very closely to his wife Pepper who we sadly lost. He quickly become very depressed as he has always loved bunny company so I got Bloo, a little fur ball madam to bond with him and help him greive. Bloo is a rescue bun so did come with a few problems, she can be quite snappy and tends to nip alfie if he’s in her way and isn’t overly affectionate with him, Alfie is always cleaning and kissing her and she never returns the favour which does leave him a bit grumpy.

        Then, yesterday we rescued a little baby 10 week old called Ted, he’s male and just lovely! he loves to give out kisses and cleans and this as only after about an hour of knowing us so we bonded him and Alfie very quickly as they’re both clean freaks but Bloo hnestly seemed to want to kill Ted.

        We had Ted just in his hutch at first to have a rest after collecting him but he was trying to get to Alfie and they were licking each other through the hutch door so we let them meet and they were happy little buns. Then, later Bloo come along and had a sniff through his hutch and just went crazy she was trying to rip through the door, making  crazed growling noises and honestly just looked posessed. She hadn’t seen alfie with ted either, as she was upstairs when that happened so I don’t think it’s jealousy.

        So my problem is now, Ted and Bloo can’t be near each other obviously until they’re bonded, which will take a very very long time judging by her reaction, but Alfie and Ted need to spend good time together to strenghten that bond and it makes Alfie so happy to get affection from him and Ted seems to feel really safe around Alfie. But, I don’t want to keep Bloo away from Alfie because that might affect their bond, especially if Alfie is coming back smelling of Ted like he’s having an affair.

        In the day they play in the garden and it just seems crul to keep either Ted or Bloo sectioned off so they can’t get to Alfie. At night they sleep under my bed and is when, in my experience, bunnies get closest to each other so I have to choose who sleeps in my room which again just seems unfair on whoever is left out.

        Stuck.

        Any help would be great, any at all!!

        Thank you in advance


      • MoveDiagonally
        Participant
        2361 posts Send Private Message

          I would separate Ted from Alfie and Bloo completely. He really can’t be bonded with your pair until he is neutered and there’s really no benefit to starting bonding sessions at this point. You don’t want Bloo to get a bad impression of Ted because it will making bonding more difficult after he’s neutered.

          Please take a moment to read this:
          https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

          It explains a lot of the bonding process. I would focus on Bloo and Alfie’s bond right now. When Ted is old enough and neutered you can start the introductions in a neutral area.


        • MoveDiagonally
          Participant
          2361 posts Send Private Message

            I also wanted to ask if you ended up spaying Bloo?


          • Alfiebuns
            Participant
            102 posts Send Private Message

              Hi, thank you for your reply!

              Yes, I think waiting would be best. It is just me being soft wanting Alfie and Ted to enjoy each other because Alfie hasn’t really had any bunny kisses and cleans since Pepper died and he misses them so when Ted gave him some straight away I just melted!

              Bloo is spayed yes, she is a rescue bun so she come ready spayed which was a relief as we experienced Pepper’s unspayed tantrums, dominating behaviour and spraying everywhere =) bless her, although those things are now very much missed.

              I still can’t believe Ted will ever be old enough to be neutered he is incredibly tiny, I have tried to upload photos on here but it doesn’t work for me. He will be neutered when he is strong enough and settled though which, judging by his hay munching, won’t be too long.

              I guess I will just have to keep showering Alfie and Ted with kisses until they can all be bonded together =)


            • NewBunnyOwner123
              Participant
              1930 posts Send Private Message

                Also be careful with Alfie and Ted spending too much time together Bloo may smell Ted and bite Alfie. I’d personally just keep them separate until Ted is neutered. And this way t will give Alfie and Bloo more time to cement their bond.


              • LittlePuffyTail
                Moderator
                18092 posts Send Private Message

                  I agree that Ted should be neutered first. And you posted about a health problem, you will want that to be cleared up before doing any bonding.

                  Have you tried the “banana trick” to encourage Bloo to groom Alfie? Probably worth a shot.


                • Alfiebuns
                  Participant
                  102 posts Send Private Message

                    Do you mean smear Alfie with banana?

                    I think he might worry I’ve gone mental!


                  • LittlePuffyTail
                    Moderator
                    18092 posts Send Private Message

                      It’s a trick that some people use to encourage grooming. You take a small amount of banana and put it on the head of the “ungroomed” bunny. If the “ungroomer” goes for the banana, the other bunny will get to enjoy the feeling of being groomed and it can benefit the relationship.

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                  Forum BONDING Another bunny drama in Alfie’s world!