bonding

[CSoehnge]

So i was supposed to be bonding my bunnies a while ago after I got the unfixed one neutered but life got in the way and I had to have surgery after dislocating and breaking my ankle so I couldnt take him in. anyway I digress. So I took the one in to get neutered today but I have been letting them see each other through their cages just to get use to each other and switching blankets so they get use to each others smells. So the one that has been neutered for about 8 months now is so aggressive towards the other one like attacking him through the cage when he walks by and biting his fur out when he gets close enough. I was just wondering if there is any chance in the future that I will be able to bond them or because of the older ones behavior it will just never work out. in the cages they use to have one escaped and got into the others cage and they were nipping a couple of times but where just sitting with each other. I know that the unfixed one should be acting dominate and not liking the idea of another but thats not the case so I just dont know if I should even try after a couple of months after the other ones neuter or if there is no chance of it happening since the older one has been neutered but showing aggression. I just dont want them to get hurt by trying to put them together but for now I cant even let the other one out without him chasing him around the outside of the cage or biting him through it (no blood has been drawn just hair pulled out). If they have to stay separated thats fine I just mainly got the other one for a buddy but its not worth the fighting and stress all the time. Sorry for the long discussion I just have never had this problem and I want what is best for them. 

[Wick & Fable]

I’m not experienced with bonding, but I do know there are some cases where bonding can’t happen because the rabbits just don’t do well together.

I’d separate them further from each other so fur pulling cannot happen, and if it seems too stressful for either bun, block off visual and sound views as well. Give a bit more time for your newly neutered rabbit to settle.

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.

[Deleted User]

I wouldn’t go so far to say that they can’t be bonded. When I first brought my male home, my female got in the room and they fought and ripped out a good bit of each other’s fur. That’s just what they do, aggression toward another is very common. Ophelia was aggressive for a bit actually, but they are bonding fine now.

An important thing to remember is that they are not only territorial or dominant because of not being fixed. Even when the other rabbit is fixed, they will still be territorial and the concept of dominance will also persist. The territorial thing is more of a “natural instinct” while the dominance has to do with personality and pecking order- something the buns will have to sort out themselves.

In the mean time, please do make sure that they cannot reach each other. If one continues to be nipped/lunged/grunted at, it could cause them to hold a grudge and become permanently distrustful of the other rabbit. And if that happens, they may never bond.

So, keep separate where they cannot physically touch, prebond in the meantime and get neutered, then wait about a month for healing and you can try bonding.

At this point, I don’t think all is lost but if you continue to let nipping/lunging/grunting ensue through the cage you may get to a point where they won’t bond.

[CSoehnge]

Thank you guys for your input and I will block them more from each other until I can bond them!! I know they can be territorial too but the older one thinks he owns everything and I just recently put them in this new room together so it was all neutral territory. But everything is his so he believes lol!!

[Sirius&Luna]

I’m in a similar situation to BunNoob- my original rabbit was spayed, and was still very aggressive towards the new one. She would lurk around his pen trying to bite him, and once when they accidentally got out together she really went for him. However, after living side by side for 4 months, I’ve now started the bonding process, and they’re doing so much better than I ever thought they would. I had basically given up hope of ever bonding them.
It’s probably worth having a look around the bonding forum and reading some other people’s stories, but i definitely don’t think you should give up yet.

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