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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.

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Forum BONDING The Longest Bonding in History…

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    • emma.c.marie
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        Hello!

        I started a thread previously about this bond, but I’m trying to look at it from a whole new perspective. I have been working with my buns for almost a year now, and I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong. Here is a quick summary of their history.

        I adopted my first rabbit, Winston, about a year and a half ago. He is very outgoing and dominant. He was a baby when I got him and got a lot of TLC and attention. He got used to perks of my one-on-one attention and became very spoiled! Still, I decided I wanted to get him a little friend.

        I adopted Gracie in June, (about 9 months after I got Winston). The shelter I adopted her from does not do ‘rabbit dates,’ so I had to pick her out based on my assumption that she would get along with Winston. She is slightly older than Winston, and possibly came into the shelter as a pair (they couldn’t tell me for sure). She is a bit shy, and generally quite calm.

        I started attempting bonding about a month after Gracie came home. They didn’t get along right away, but there wasn’t anything particularly awful happening. Winston was certainly going to be the dominant bun. He did (and still does) a lot of nipping, and doesn’t like to share space with Gracie unless she initiates it. He has never mounted Gracie, and vice-versa. He will groom Gracie’s face if she sits still long enough for him to come close to her, but she is often frightened when he starts towards her and will run off. This sometimes initiates a small chase by Winston, although their bonding areas are never large enough for a real chase to ensue. 

        I had to take a break from bonding when Winston went through a bought of GI Stasis, and I’m just trying to start back with them. 

        They had a nice, long bonding session the other day (9am to 2am the next morning) and generally got along okay. But thats the problem. Its always just ‘okay,’ or not good at all. I have done stress bonding and they generally respond well during, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference in their relationship afterwards. Winston was particularly aggressive in todays bonding session. I had them set up in an x-pen in a room that they have both been in, but an area of the room they wouldn’t have had a chance to mark. Is this not neutral enough?

        I am really, really trying not to give up hope! I built them a beautiful, gigantic condo last summer, and I can’t wait for them to share it. There is a very, very slight possibility that I could bring another rabbit into the picture, but I would only want to do that if I had a chance to introduce the existing rabbits to the new rabbit before I brought him home. I’m wondering if a third rabbit could act as a mediator between Winston and Gracie, or if it would just make things worse. I don’t want to wind up with three separate cages for three buns, especially considering how that would shorten their time out for exercise, etc. Has anyone had a situation like this, where a third rabbit solved some bonding issues?

        Thanks in advance for your help and advice Winston and Gracie are counting on you!  


      • My1&onlyMarshmellow
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          When I first got my very first rabbit I made sure I read up on everything i could about rabbit life and rabbits. I soaked in information like a sponge and still did long after.
          I invested in a book called rabbits for dummies and read -all of and kept key points at hand for reference. I got magazines to make sure I’m not missing anything else that i could make my rabbit have the best life i could ever possibly give him. Rule number one is neutral places make great faces. I eventually rescued this cute bunny that head a head tilt(didn’t know she had one until i got home-i wasn’t happy about that) it must have been a good day for her health wise i swore i never see her head tilt as bad as it did as she got home and what not. well before i even decided it was her i did something risky but it worked in my favor and was very ready to react but i put my marshmallow in the glass cage with scarlet and nothing really happened. i think he ate some of her food-hungry butt he was. I got him closer and still nothing i said ok this works and took him home because time does wonders for most things urgent.
          At home i broke some rules and put her i his cage and he just layer there like a lump on a log which amused me (his style of comfort) and he just let her do what she wanted. i got a cardboard box and they (not by me and def. not forced) out of the blue they were both in there side by side bonding it was awesome.

          I broke the rules on the basis that if they are neutral then they will grow fond of each other eventually. You have to just create an open free enviremnt of constant nurture and love and time will fix the rest.

          Some places won’t do the play dates but the one in my town allowed me to and it was nice. if you don’t have that option than maybe if you can ask for their bedding or what they use and take some to place your bunny has not ever been yet with the bedding and have it check it out by smelling it and watching any reactions if they shake their head then maybe its a no-if they keep sniffing it or then start cleaning themselves or act like they normally do then it might be a good pairing. but if your willing to wait i think time will help get them closer-you need to give them opportunities.

          My rabbit responding to the classic reverse psychology what i pulled away from him he like even more. what i pushed him towards he didn’t like so much. but it also depend on the subject to. but i hope you find a way to get them to click or find a way to keep you from worrying about it and be natural b/c they can sense your worrying over them. if you got this far pat yourself on the back and keep on keeping on.
          sorry for long response.

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      Forum BONDING The Longest Bonding in History…