Should I bother (re: bonding)

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

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

This topic has 5sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 1 month ago by MarkBun.

Viewing 5 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 01/18/2008 at 10:52 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I would love to bond my 2 buns so I could make them a huge cage and save time by letting them out together. I’ve done a bit of research on bonding but I’m just wondering on some opinions. I would like to maybe try bonding my two after Bindi is fully healed from the neuter (about a week).
  
  I’m wondering if I should even bother trying though. My two buns are like night and day. Any of you who have read some of my posts know that Stormy is a super brat who can be quite stressed-out and Bindi is so quiet and sweet. Stormy has been a single bun for 3 years and Bindi is almost a year old.
  
  They are in the same room in separate cages and run in the same area so they pretty much know each other’s smells. The one time I let Stormy out and had Bindi in my arms he lunged at Bindi and growled and I had to lift Bindi up to avoid him getting bit. Sometimes if I pet Storm after Bindi he will growl at me.
  
  Do you think there would be any chance of these two becoming the odd couple??
  
  Another concern I have is: What if one Bunny dies (as unpleasant as the thought is)? Does the other bonded bunny sometimes get very depressed enough to become ill?
  
  Any input would be appreciated.
  
  I leave you with this pic of my snuggler, Bindi and my Fiance (he pretends he’s not a bunny guy but he so is )
- 01/18/2008 at 10:58 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  i think you should give it a try. it might work. i’d try some of the different techniques that have been mentioned. if it doesn’t work after some time of trying, you know it’s not your fault, it’s just your buns.
  
  i don’t think not bonding b/c of risk of death (and depression in the remaining bunny) is a good enough reason not to try. that’s like saying "i’m never going to get married b/c my husband is going to die someday and i’ll be sad." if that was the attitude folks had… it’d be a sad, sad world.
- 01/18/2008 at 11:03 AM
  Gravehearted
  Participant
  2428 posts
  well two bonded bunnies aren’t always like 2 peas in a pod! My very timid and shy bunny loves the stuffing out of her very gregarious and friendly beau who likes everyone. It’s actually been good for her, since he’s brought her out of her shell. I agree with Beka that it’s worth trying. Most bunnies do really like having a friend.
  
  I’d recommend starting with some out of the house bonding – like a car ride or shopping cart date (go to pet store line cart with blankie and pop bunnies in cart – wheel them around the store.
  
  boys who like bunnies = hawt!
- 01/18/2008 at 11:04 AM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  It never hurts to give it a try, especially if you are just as willing to live with two separate buns too. I think its actually a good idea to try because bunnies really do tend to appreciate some companionship, they are not naturally a loner animal. I know that when I got all my buns moved in near each other (in separate cages, but they can see each other) they all feel much more comfortable flopping around and relaxing because they’ve got practically a whole colony that can alert them to any “danger” or treats coming their way!
- 01/18/2008 at 11:32 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  if their cages are near each other, it would be nice if they could have out time together… even if they do not become permanent cage mates. they may tolerate each other enough to play nicely, and then "go home" to their separate places afterwards.
- 01/18/2008 at 11:55 AM
  MarkBun
  Participant
  2842 posts
  If you are going to try and bond them, realize that there may be some aggression issues in the beginning. So, just because one of them lunges and nips at the other, it doesn’t mean all is lost. Just follow the guides that are about.
Author

Messages

Viewing 5 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.