I’m quite new to the forums and I have done research on bonding through multiple different sources. I want to make sure the steps that I am taking are right.

I have two rabbits, Usagi and Jewel. Usagi is 11 months old, I’ve had her since she was 7 months and she is my first rabbit. Usagi is very energetic and I love her so much and I hope that the surgery doesn’t change too much of that. I have read where the surgery can have little effect, and others where they had an entirely different rabbit at the end of it.

Last week I adopted a 1.5 year old female, Jewel. Jewel was a mother rabbit in a “bunny mill” (I’m not sure if that is the correct term, but that is what the adoption agency told me). I highly doubt she has seen many friendly faces and I’m currently working on bonding with her to make her feel more comfortable around me. I was told she was never let out of her cage and forced to breed almost her entire life.

I plan on bonding the two after they have received their surgery, but my main question is should I begin any pre-bonding now? They both have their separate cages in my room with a few inches of space in-between. Before Jewel, Usagi had my entire room and living room to roam as her territory, and now she has to share her space with Jewel (not at the same time obviously) and her litter box habits have gone out the window, which I had expected.

When Usagi is out of her cage she will often go up to Jewels cage and sit at the bars until Jewel approaches. When Jewel approaches, she will put her head close to Usagi and Usagi will groom her for a few seconds before Jewel backs away. They do this multiple times a day during their time to roam. The same happens when Jewel is out and Usagi is in her cage, but Jewel doesn’t approach Usagi as often when Jewel is able to roam. Usagi will often lay outside of Jewel’s cage instead of roaming the rest of her space. They don’t seem to be showing any signs of aggression and I know that might change if I go any father in the bonding process before they are spay.

Is what I am doing ok before their procedure? Their surgery is scheduled for a little less than two weeks from now.