Am I rushing my rabbits’ bonding?

[Michelle]

So I have one rabbit, who is a neutered male and is a little older than a year. I just got a female spayed/neutered rabbit that is 2 years old a day ago. I left them in their cages which are right next to each other. I then brought them I my bathtub that evening and let them stay for ten minutes like what it says online. They fought almost immediately. My male mounted the female many times which caused the fighting. I switched their cages too so they can get used to each other’s smell. This morning, I did the same as I did the night before but there was more fighting. In the afternoon, I stayed with them in my restroom and gave them the entire floor. They fought at first but then just sat in opposite corners and groomed themselves and layed down. I did this for a hour and repeated this for an hour and a half at 9:00pm today.. Every time my male approaches my female, she gets so scared and scrambles away because he tries to nip and mount her. Have I rushed my bonding? Should I just let them stay in their cages for a week before I start to bond? Will my impatience with their bonding today affect their further relationship?

[RabbitPam]

I do think you’re rushing a bit. I don’t think any permanent damage has been done, but I would definitely slow it down. Read the Bunny Info section on bonding, and try the suggestions slowly. They may come around.

[Author]

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