About 3 weeks ago we lost our 6 1/2 year old female mini rex, Velvet. She had a huge tumor in her belly. Her mate, Rex, is doing well – eating and acting normal – although he was so stressed hovering over her during her last days. When Rex joined our family bonding him with Velvet was so easy. They lived side by side and then about 2 months later he hopped into her cage to share a meal and they never left each other.

At the other end of our house, we have a spayed female lionhead mix that we took in a few years ago. She and Rex are close in age. They know each other exists but Mocha has a tough personality due to mistreatment in her early life. We would really like to bond them instead of having two lonely bunnies in separate rooms of the house. Rex has the benefit of living in the room that I also call my office. He sits under my chair most of the day while Mocha is across the house all alone.

Last night, as a first attempt at bonding we brought Mocha’s cage and placed it next to Rex’s – close but far enough to avoid any possible injury. They were peacefully indifferent! Rex went about his business in his cage and Mocha was more interested in checking out the room. Both live in 4-foot cages so leaving Mocha beside Rex is a bit cumbersome. We let Mocha out for a few minutes and Rex was still indifferent. Mocha ran around the room, dropped a few “territorial” poops, rubbed her face on my chair then hopped back into her cage. When Rex came out this morning, he didn’t seem to notice any scent of Mocha.

So what should be our next step? Grin and bear the space constraint and bring Mocha’s cage back in Rex’s room? I’d love for her to learn that this is the room where she can have my attention all day. We truly think she’s ready for a mate – and it might even make her a happier bunny!

Was the lack of aggression a good sign?

Thanks in advance for any advice!