Bonding 2 (spayed) female rabbits: mounting

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This topic has 6sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 8 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 05/25/2020 at 4:36 PM
  Evelyn C.
  Participant
  4 posts
  I am beginning the process of bonding 2 adult female rabbits both of which are spayed. I placed their pens next to each other and after some time I placed them together in a neutral territory, my bathtub, for Introductions. They both humped each other. Is that normal or does that mean they both have dominant personalities? I am kinda nervous as they got Into a minor scuffle, but I don’t want any fights to break out. How do I keep them safe while not hindering the process?
- 05/25/2020 at 4:46 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Some mounting is normal, and if it doesn’t lead to fighting that’s a good thing. They both will probably show some dominance displays to try to sort out who will be top bun. Preventing fighting is the top priority, and I’ve found that in small spaces things can escalate to fighting quickly because they don’t have space to get away from each other.
  
  In the early phases, don’t be afraid to have your hands on them. I know this differs from some advice you might read online, but I have had a lot of success with this approach (I’ve bonded multiple pairs with this method, I learned it from the coordinator at my town’s rescue). When the buns approach each other, I like to pet them both to make them think they are getting groomed, which helps everyone stay calm and builds a positive association. You can also do this if they get too nippy. I will even position them side by side when in a small space like that and pet them both to build some calm feelings. If one goes to mount and the other tries to get away, you can pin the mounting rabbit down to prevent them from chasing. In general, light nipping and mounting should be allowed, but face mounting, hard biting, boxing, circling, prolonged chasing (>3-4 seconds) should be stopped. If they try to face mount you can kind of spin the mounting bun into the correct position.
  
  Once you get more of a feel for how things go with them, you can ease off how much you pet etc., but in the early stages it can be hard to predict behaviors and known when to intervene (esp for first-time bonders!).
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 05/28/2020 at 1:49 PM
  Evelyn C.
  Participant
  4 posts
  Thank you! This is very helpful as a first time bonder! I’ve done lots of research, but of course there are some stuff that research alone can not answer. Thanks for your tips!
- 05/28/2020 at 1:51 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  You’re welcome! Keep us posted on how it goes. 🙂
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 06/02/2020 at 11:56 PM
  Evelyn C.
  Participant
  4 posts
  They are doing much better then when they originally began the bonding process. They lay next to each other but still have their moments here and there. It seems one of them (Moaxie), is fine with not being the dominant partner and is quite tolerant of Misty’s actions. Misty will show good signs towards Moaxie but then will try to nip her and hump her despite Moaxie showing no resistance. Is it ok to let Misty hump her? What do I do about the nipping, I have tried to stop it when I see it, but is there a way to decrease or stop it completely? Sometimes when she grooms her it also look quites aggressive and I can’t really tell if it’s nipping or grooming. It’s hard to tell since Moaxie is a long haired rabbit.
- 06/02/2020 at 11:59 PM
  Evelyn C.
  Participant
  4 posts
  They are doing much better then when they originally began the bonding process. They lay next to each other but still have their moments here and there. It seems one of them (Moaxie), is fine with not being the dominant partner and is quite tolerant of Misty’s actions. Misty will show good signs towards Moaxie but then will try to nip her and hump her despite Moaxie showing no resistance. Is it ok to let Misty hump her? What do I do about the nipping, I have tried to stop it when I see it, but is there a way to decrease or stop it completely? Sometimes when she grooms her it also look quite aggressive and I can’t really tell if it’s nipping or grooming. It’s hard to tell since Moaxie is a long haired rabbit.
- 06/03/2020 at 9:54 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  If Moaxie doesn’t mind the humping, then it’s fine! It will likely subside over time as well. Is the nipping associated with the mounting? Bunnies will often nip before they mount. As long as it’s not hard (no fur being pulled) and Moaxie isn’t bothered by it, it’s another thing to just monitor. Bunnies do nip lightly to communicate.
  
  Sounds like they are doing well though! The main things to look for now are grooming (usually by both parties but not always), cuddling, litter box sharing, food sharing etc. Bonded pairs can basically scramble all over each other without incident and not flinch or get tense when the other one comes near.
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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