Bunny Bonding Help

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by zsqaured.

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- 04/26/2015 at 1:12 PM
  zsqaured
  Participant
  13 posts
  Hello! I have 2 sweet girl buns. Ziggie or zigs is a 2 year old American, and Zoe is a 2 year old Dutch mix. They are both fixed. Zoe was adopted in December 2014 in hopes of having a friend for Zigs. At first they didn’t really mind each other. During their bonding sessions neither of them would move unless trying to escape the tub. Then the nipping began. At first Zoe would bite at Ziggie’s butt to get her attention, I assumed and Zigs was not having it. They would immediately begin to fight- circling and nipping at each other. I have been bitten during this. Ziggie’s jaw does not come unlocked once she has bitten down. Ouch! I’ve tried the stress bonding on the dryer and washing machine, and car stress bonding. These did not work either. They would begin to bite each other nonstop until separated. I finally gave up. Bought 2 puppy play pins and separated the 2 for good. Until recently when I came home to a room full of fur with skin still attached . Zoe’s face was bitten in at least 6 places when there was blood drawn. Something needs to change. I’m desperate to find a way to let them at least tolerate each other so I am not always worried while away. Until I find a solution I feel the need to lock Zoe in her cage which is not fair because Ziggie does not have a cage. Ziggie is not able to get to Zoe’s cage. Please help!
- 04/26/2015 at 5:08 PM
  Little Lion Head
  Participant
  1706 posts
  Are your girls spayed?
- 04/28/2015 at 12:34 AM
  zsqaured
  Participant
  13 posts
  Yes they are both fixed.
  
  I took them to the vet today to get their injuries checked. They are ok but the vet thinks it’s best to find a new home for one of them… I do NOT think I could ever do this. Please I’m desperate for ideas or even ways of them tolerating each other.
  
  Thank you!!
- 04/28/2015 at 7:51 AM
  Little Lion Head
  Participant
  1706 posts
  Here are just my own thoughts and opinions of what I would do.
  
  Firstly, I would separate them completely. Out of sight/out of mind. Give them some time to “forget” each other before giving it another go. It might be impossible to bond them if you try again too soon. Give them a few weeks or even a month a part.
  
  When you are ready to try again, I would set up two cages in a semi-neutral space, side by side. Wherever Zoe’s cage is–don’t put the two cages in that room, it will make Zoe territorial. Give them a few weeks side by side without any “dates” and see how they do. (Make sure there is a few inches between their cages so they can’t fight through the bars). This way they are doing daily things together; like eating pellets and greens, eating hay and pooping. Bring them out separately for exercise time in another room.
  
  If this goes well–go back to stress bonding. Check out http://www.wheekwheekthump.com for some more info on different types of stress bonding. It looks like you’ve tried a few. What worked really well for us was a car ride (hubby drove and I sat in the back w/ the buns) followed by the bathtub. The bathtub is good b/c they have space to move, but not enough to circle and fight and it’s too slippery to chase.
  
  This is just what I personally would do; but it might not work for you (I don’t know how much space you have to put two cages somewhere). Whatever you do–do not reintroduce them in a space that one bun has lived in or spend a lot of time in.
  
  There are a lot of members on here who have done some really really hard bonds. Someone else might be able to chime in (my bond was pretty easy). Good luck!!!!
- 04/28/2015 at 7:56 AM
  Little Lion Head
  Participant
  1706 posts
  I think the website changed to http://www.thebunnychick.com–its run by a BB member named tanlover. She has 8 buns and many of them are bonded!
- 04/28/2015 at 1:38 PM
  zsqaured
  Participant
  13 posts
  Thank you so much! I currently let zigs free roam in my room and that must be why she is soooooo territorial. I am moving soon and will keep all of the above in mind. Thanks again!
  Any other advice will greatly help
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