Bonding Elderbunny and Baby Bunny

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by Beka27.

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- 09/22/2014 at 2:31 PM
  lvfowler
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  2 posts
  I have a 6 year old female un-spayed Holland Lop, Lola. She birthed female babies in the past and those were the only two rabbits she has ever known. They all got along very well for about 1.5 years, but when I moved across the country to be closer to my family I had to put the babies up for adoption.
  
  She has bonded with my parents dogs – a Chocolate Lab and Chi-weenie (Chihuaua/Daschund mix). It took some time but, we all lived together for a year and they learned to love each other. I have been living with my boyfriend for a few years now, but whenever we take care of my parents dogs for the weekend, the animals all get along like they are best friends still.
  
  Lola has been away from any buns, and has reigned supreme animal of the house for about 3 years now.
  
  This weekend was my 30th Birthday and my boyfriend surprised me with a new baby (5 months) male Holland Lop. He is so sweet. He is only half the size of Lola… she is a pretty big for her breed and it looks like this bun is much smaller than she ever was. I temporarily have him in her old cage, which she still uses for travel, but she HATES having him in it. We will get him his own cage. Lola is very territorial and thinks the whole house is hers. She is very curious about him though. I think they have the potential to be best friends. I will try to bond them in neutral territory as you guys have suggested. So the new bun has been in Lolas cage in her room. She is a free-range bunny and I rarely lock her up, but when i do, I just close the door to the “study” (which has really just become her room.) I thought maybe they could get used to smelling each other if i have them in the same room and I just keep the new bun locked up until he is trained. I’ve seen Lola try to hump him a few times, and I just dont want her to hurt him. Its only been a few days so I am just looking for any advice on set-up, keeping them together/apart for a certain amount of time, at what age should i fix the new boy, can a 6 year old female still get pregnant anyway? The vet told me I should not fix her at this point, due to her age. I am planning on taking the new boy to the vet as well for advice.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Lauren
- 09/22/2014 at 4:19 PM
  tobyluv
  Participant
  3310 posts
  If the male is 5 months old, it is very likely that his testicles have descended and he can be neutered now. Until then, you have to keep them separate. They can be in the same room, but cannot be physically together. You said that Lola has been humping the new bunny. That is dangerous. She could become pregnant during any encounters with the male.
  
  Before bonding rabbits, both are supposed to be spayed or neutered. If Lola is healthy, she may not be too old to be spayed. An exam and blood work would determine her health.
- 09/24/2014 at 9:21 AM
  lvfowler
  Participant
  2 posts
  Thanks so much for the advice. The baby is getting fixed tomorrow. I have been advised to keep them apart for one month after the neutering. Lola is going crazy wanting to hang out with him so hopefully it will be a fast month!
- 09/25/2014 at 8:29 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I hope his surgery went well!
  
  I would seek a second opinion about your female rabbit getting spayed. If she is healthy, she should be able to be spayed. If you choose not to (or if the vet doesn’t believe she can handle anesthesia for whatever reason) the bonding process may be a little bit harder, but it could work.
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