Are they getting along?

[pocketable]

I have been attempting to bond my two bunnies for a couple of weeks now. Both are fixed. I initially tried placing them into the bathtub together, but my larger rabbit, who is not too keen on being trapped in one place, hopped right out, despite two people acting as a human barrier. I tried allowing them to meet on the porch, since the area was larger and still neutral, but being outside was causing my female to thump and I didn’t want to cause her stress. So, as a result, I have been letting them go on dates in the dining room because I ran out of neutral areas. Gregory, my male, does have continuous access to the room, but it is the one he frequents less often (at least, he did before the sessions).

Lulu is the humper. She humped him on day one, but never did it again until last night. She will pursue him sometimes, but only to lie down next to him wherever he may be laying. They will eat while their bodies touch and they will lay right next to each other. They will groom themselves, but not each other. I have also seen Gregory lie right next to her while she is in her cage, so their fur is touching.

However, Gregory also likes to chase and give her nips. There is never any full out fighting, and it doesn’t necessarily cause her to avoid him, so I am not quite sure what to think. It is harder for me to tell when he is going to nip because his ears are lopped, and everything I read about signs that a bunny will bite say things about the ears being at a 45 degree angle. 

Will they get along? I think things are going well, but it’s so hard to tell! This is my first time bonding.

[Sarita]

It sounds promising to me. You want some interaction as long as it’s not fighting. Sometimes no interaction is fine too as long as they aren’t fighting and tolerating each other.

[pocketable]

Posted By Sarita on 07/10/2012 04:32 PM

It sounds promising to me. You want some interaction as long as it’s not fighting. Sometimes no interaction is fine too as long as they aren’t fighting and tolerating each other.

That’s what I was hoping, I was just worried about the nipping. I really want this to work out!

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Some nipping is normal, as is some chasing/humping, etc. As long as they aren’t fighting, they are just working on establishing the rules of who is dominant, etc. Try to end each bonding session on a positive note. You could also try some stress bonding like a car ride. Something that worked for my boys was smearing a little banana on their heads so they eat it off and “groom” one another. Best of luck!

[Author]

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