Hi,
We are hoping to bond a third bunny (Linus) with our existing bunnies, Frankie and Cash. Linus is currently at the local animal shelter and we have a “date” scheduled at the shelter to see how the three bunnies get along (or not). Our concern however is that during the bonding process, the existing bond between Frankie and Cash could fall apart. Is this true and if so, how can be avoid this happening?
A bit about our bunnies–
Frankie–Was adopted from an animal shelter around six months of age, and is now about three years ago. Definitely the alpha bunny, she’s about 7.5 lbs, she sees herself as master and protector of the warren. She very much loves Cash and we’ve often seen her get up from were she is sitting/laying down and move next to Cash. She also sometimes chases Cash but it never seems to end badly (anymore at least). We don’t think Frankie had any socialization with other animals prior to being bonded with Cash.
Cash–Is a rex, a little over 5 lbs, and was adopted through the local chapter of HRS at a speed dating event. Cash is probably about the same age as Frankie and is a total love-bug, and while the beta bunny, he’s shown that there is a limit to the crap he’ll take from Frankie. HRS did the initial bonding and while we had some aggression issues upon arriving at our home, after a couple of months, they settled into bunny love.
Linus–Is about four years old, so about a year older than Frankie and Cash. He appears to really socialized with humans, and according to the paperwork at the shelter, lived with cats and dogs at his prior home. HRS won’t help with the bonding since we didn’t adopt through them, so we’ll have to do the bonding on our own.
We’ve researched the basic tenets of bonding; finding a neutral space to introduce everyone to, being in separate pens that are close but that cannot touch, and gradually introducing supervised playtime together. But again, we’re most worried about the bond between Frankie and Cash falling apart, so any advice there would also be appreciated.
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