A few bonding questions

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This topic has 7sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by Flopsie.

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- 09/02/2014 at 12:08 PM
  Flopsie
  Participant
  388 posts
  Hello,
  
  I have a few questions on bonding.
  
  A) Getting my bun spayed was honestly very stressful, probably both for myself and for the bun. I was incredibly worried for several days and even prompted me to stop lurking on this site and actually sign up and ask questions! I also work in a school district so while I have a lot of days off, I also work a long day. This means that the bun is in her cage while i’m out. Do you think that the process of bonding and the stress from the process is worth it so that I can give my bun a companion? I realize that its possible that bonding isn’t stressful and maybe the rates of success are fairly high, but my views are skewed because naturally people that have difficulties bonding post more about it than successes. So in such a case, i’m ignorant on how easy or difficult it is to bond a rabbit.
  
  B) Let’s say I do go for bonding. I happen to live the in Bay Area and i’m close to the House Rabbit Society in Richmond. I read somewhere that they can help in the process of bonding by selecting rabbits that seem to respond better to yours at their site. This question might seem silly so please bear with me if it does. But what if i’m unsuccessful in bonding my rabbit, can I give the rabbit back or trade in for another? I know that this may seem a bit cruel or callous so i’m sorry if it comes off that way, but I want it to be a good fit for both myself and for my bun. But if it isn’t I’d hate to have to buns living separately.
- 09/02/2014 at 6:54 PM
  Sindri
  Participant
  1515 posts
  Some shelters will help with the bonding process.It is good to take your rabbit and have them help find a good match. I lived too far from the only rescue here in my state to adopt but their site said they would help with the bonding process however long it took.I would recommend you go to the rescue and talk with them and tell them about your situation. I am sure they can help you. One thing I will say to you about bonding it is a process you have to dedicate time to no matter how well it goes. I wish you the best of luck. I am curious to hear how things go! Please keep us updated!
- 09/02/2014 at 8:25 PM
  Taysmama13
  Participant
  28 posts
  Hi Flopsie! I don’t think your question is silly at all. From my experience, it would be best for you to do bunny dating before adopting another one. If I were you, I would call the House Rabbit Society and ask what they offer for help with bonding/adopting. Bonding is a very time consuming and sometimes very stressful experience for all involved. From my understanding, (Others correct me if I’m wrong) even bonded bunnies can fight. On a more personal note, I’ve had my boys for almost a year and despite giving them all my time for bonding they still absolutely hate each other. ( I didn’t do bunny dating, I just adopted two random rabbits) Other bunlovers on here are far more qualified to tell you about bonding, especially considering how bad I have failed at it. Good luck on whatever you decide to do!
- 09/03/2014 at 10:39 AM
  Flopsie
  Participant
  388 posts
  first off, thanks for the responses! I really appreciate them.
  
  Taysmama when you say “hate” do you mean that they are actively antagonizing each other or do you mean that they just are ambivalent and neutral.
  
  Let’s talk best case scenario, how long can I expect a good bonding session to go? I work for a school district so I get a month off in the summer. Maybe its best to do it then?
- 09/03/2014 at 1:12 PM
  Sindri
  Participant
  1515 posts
  I started with short visits at first like 10 to 15 minutes then moved up to 30 and 45 minute sessions. Then when things were going well I moved it up to 2 and 4 hours then 6 then 8. I did these visits everyday. Some people do several short visits a day I didn’t have time to do that so I just went with once a day longer visits.
  
  Hopefully someone with more bonding experience can offer some more input or perhaps the shelter can also advise you about this.I would check with the shelter they may even do the bonding for you like the shelter in my state can if needed.
- 09/04/2014 at 6:27 PM
  Taysmama13
  Participant
  28 posts
  Hi Flopsie, when I said hate, I meant hate. The very sight of each other causes my biggest boy to lunge and attack without a second thought, he thumps loudly and bites anyone nearby once my little one is out of sight and then he will ignore us humans as a punishment for allowing such a disgusting creature near him. I’ve tried stress bonding, banana hats and separating them from weeks on end with the same result every time. If I were you, I would talk to the House Rabbit Society people near you and see what advice they have for you. I really have no place on here to give you bonding advice on when you should start or how you should start because each bun has their own needs, wants and personality so what may not work for me might be your saving grace when you decide to add to your family!
- 09/05/2014 at 5:34 PM
  Clarajb
  Participant
  48 posts
  I’m currently in the process of
  bonding my 2. I brought Pepper
  home late July – she was spayed mid July- and waited until about a month after her surgery to begin bonding with Ralphie.
  
  I’ve been posting about my experience on this site. From what I gather my two are a fairly typical bond, not love at first sight, not absolute hatred either. I’ve been working at this every day minus a vacation for a few days, progressing from 2 weeks of side by side living, to 5 minutes initially to a few hours now. For me it has been very time consuming- cleaning the two cages, setting up the bonding area, the actual supervision…
  
  Also what you said about a meet and greet sounds perfect. I brought Ralphie to the shelter to meet Pepper ahead of time. I thought it was going to be slightly easier than it was once I brought them home based on how they got along there but I did have this site and a contact person at the house rabbit association to talk me through it. It’s wonderful if you’ll have someone actually observe with you to get a read on the rabbits. The actual shelter where I observed my 2 didn’t have anyone with rabbit experience to look at them.
  
  So those are my thoughts based on my quite limited experience thus far! Hope that helps… Good luck!
- 09/09/2014 at 6:24 PM
  Flopsie
  Participant
  388 posts
  Thanks for the feedback. I can see how this can be a difficult process I’m going to think more about it before I commit
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