Activity

Generally placing it between them when it seems one is going to nip? I’m a little lost following how the panel should be used in bonding sessions, but I’ll keep it in mind once I get a better understanding of it. In this session, there wasn’t really any fighting; Shadow just got annoyed of Zelda when she tried to hump him and I think also nipping…[Read more]

I kind of understand your feelings.

I used to have two females that would always fight. They would mount and nip and chase each other. The shy one would always thump usually more than twice and then we’d have to separate them.

To stop them from fighting so much, we put a plastic panel between the two of them and then they couldn’t nip at each…[Read more]

Yes, the pain meds should start working right away. Antibiotics can take a few days before you see improvement.

Yes, the “mutton chops” say lion-lop.

I don’t know off the top of my head, they were just the standard 8-panel x-pens.

OMG that looks like it went AMAZINGLY!

I’m so excited for you! I have actual tears in my eyes seeing them all relaxed together. <3

I might try that too whenever I get a chance to buy some x-pens. Roughly what were the dimensions you used?

Update! I did our first bonding session earlier. I was fully planning to cut it after a few minutes depending how it went, but I ended up keeping them for an hour and a half.

I thought it went really well! Not love at first sight or anything, but I think they’ll be able to work things out after a couple weeks or so. I purposely did this during…[Read more]

That sounds like a good plan, with the garage as a back up.

I’ve actually had the best luck using really large spaces for bonding (Margo DiMello of the San Diego HRS also recommends large spaces). I love using at least 2 x-pens linked up. It seems like it gives them the ability to interact a bit more naturally without things escalating, as they…[Read more]

I’ll definitely try to do as many sessions throughout the week as I’m able, starting with another try in the bathroom later today or tomorrow but removing the rug if it’ll help lessen chances of a fight. I was initially planning on taking them to my parents house and try to bond them in the garage within a playpen, they might’ve had too much room…[Read more]

There is a lot of trial and error in bonding, so don’t worry if you have to try different set-ups etc. Sometimes tunnels and hides help, sometimes they make things worse, it’s a bit of an experimentation process usually.

Thanks for filling out the template, it’s very helpful!

It’s great you’ve been swapping litter boxes, etc. If possible, start…[Read more]

Removing the food and tunnel might be a good idea as they couldn’t care less for either. I was following a guide someone else provided that gave me the idea for the set up, either it overstimulated them due to the new area or they might’ve not been ready despite living next to each other for 5 or 6 months. I generally don’t like the idea of…[Read more]

Every pair really is different! Honestly the buns I’ve had the hardest time bonding ended up being SO closely bonded at the end of it, so it’s no indication of how things will go in the end.

Ok, so first of all, take a DEEP breath!

It is very normal for things to be tense in the first meetings, so don’t panic! It’s extremely rare for things to be love-at-first sight (just as it’s also extremely rare for a pair to be unbondable). Imagine meeting a stranger suddenly and being locked in a room with them. It might take some time to trust…[Read more]

Usually things improve on their own after spaying, but it can be a bit up and down over the course of the few weeks after, and a bit of training might speed the process a long a bit.

Cleaning multiple spaces during bonding can be quite a chore! Personally I become more “OK” with a bit more mess when I’m bonding. A bit of extra fluff or hay on the floor isn’t a sanitary concern, so it’s OK to have things not be spotless! I also currently have 4 rabbits, and I have definitely changed my routine with 4 vs. when I had two.

Here’s…[Read more]