how to know when they are bonded?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 8sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 2 months ago by MooBunnay.

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- 11/19/2008 at 12:48 PM
  magellan1010
  Participant
  17 posts
  So I seem to have gotten really lucky! I started bonding my two male bunnies (neutered) about 3 weeks ago. I started out with putting them both in the tub, and after a couple days of one of them mounting occasionally and the other just sitting there, they seemed to tolerate each other’s company. Then I did a short trip in the car, and this really solidified their friendship. Now I let them out in my room together when I am home, and they do binkies, eat together, and sometimes groom. They don’t seem “in love” but they are certainly on good terms.
  
  Now for the question: when should I start to trust them together when I am not around? They don’t sleep in the same cage right now, and I don’t let them out together without supervision. I’ve had one of the bunnies for a little longer, and he is allowed to free-roam. The other bunny is pretty good with his litter training (much better after the neuter) so I’m thinking I could trust him to free-roam in my room now as well. I don’t want to push their friendship and take a step backwards, but I feel bad separating them when they seem to be having a good time. Thoughts?
- 11/19/2008 at 12:51 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I think I would not separate them at all while you are home and they are getting along. I think if you have a few days off you should let them stay together without separating them while you are home. I know some rabbit owners have just taken “the plunge” during the bonding process when their rabbits were getting along and it turned out fine for them. Eventually you will have to do this.
- 11/19/2008 at 1:08 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  yes, like Sarita said, at a certain point you just have to “do it”. if you have a weekend off work, or a solid 24 hours with no real plans, you can try to keep them together that whole time. once they’re together, do not separate them again for at least 2 weeks. this will cement that bond. do they have cages as a home base they go in at night, or they are always allowed free roam?
- 11/19/2008 at 1:12 PM
  magellan1010
  Participant
  17 posts
  They have separate cages which they stay in at night. Maybe I will start putting them together tonight in the one big cage (the other one is a little bit smaller for the free-roaming bun). I’m a student so my schedule is a little more flexible. I guess you guys are right, they’ve been together for 6 or 7 hours every afternoon/evening and been fine, so I’m hoping they stay happy with each other! I was a little worried about bonding 2 males, but they’re doing great.
- 11/20/2008 at 6:44 PM
  magellan1010
  Participant
  17 posts
  Just a quick update: I left them out together with both cage doors open today while I went to class (5 and a half hours). And they were great! No chunks of hair or messes, I was just greeted by two snuggly rabbits. Seems like I have a match, yay!
- 11/21/2008 at 7:35 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  awesome news! now whatever you do, DO NOT SEPARATE THEM! congrats! if you happen to get any bonded bunny pics you’d like to share, please do!
- 11/21/2008 at 10:30 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  That’s great!! Ditto, no seperating!
  
  So …do we get some pictures?
- 11/29/2008 at 11:40 AM
  Spacehopper
  Participant
  540 posts
  It is sch a joy when the buns are finally bonded. Mine are now inseparable! Brian was always out while we introduced Bettie into HIS territory (he is so chilled he didn’t really care, it was more her staking out her patch), Then we put her cage into the bedroom in the day and overnight, bring her out and keeping a close eye on them. Then after about 2 weeks, they were both out, i’d gone to start dinner, got caught up in something on tv and realised it had all gone very quiet, too quiet! So i gingerly crept up the hall on all fours…there they were snuggled licking each other, and that was that. Now, if one ventures out into the living room, you can guarantee the other is not far behind.
- 11/30/2008 at 6:40 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  Aww thats so cute! I’m glad to hear that things are going so well. It sounds like they are doing great – the only thing I would recommend is dissassembling their own separate cages once you have created their new “together’ big one – the reason is that I think they would be most territorial, and most likely to fight if one went into the other one’s cage. Have they been in each other’s cages before?
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