Bonding

[Bunnybuggg]

Hi ya’ll! I have another question yet again! I have been reading up on bonding for months now. Over a year ago I tried to bond my female dutch to my male REW but that didn’t go well after many months, female with senior and medical issues, and too much anxiety bonding myself. 

Our male REW Bowie was recently bonded with a sweet Netherland Dwarf Piper. Im not sure how many night they spent together but I had a local rescue bond them for me. Since we have been home for 5 – 6 days, I have seen slight nipping like get out of my way, and one time Piper tried to hump Bowie. I noticed one morning lots of thumping from Bowie, couldn’t figure out what it was just that he kept asking for licks from Pipes and she kept refusing so I took them on a scary carrier ride and after that its been good! Later than night due to heat I had to move them into a different location of the house (for AC) that had to be made over into a neutral territory. They seem to be doing less things together, but still do some thing togethers. Pipes still licks Bowie on occasion, but he barely licks her, ive seen it maybe once or twice but its very minimal like one lick or two. Pipes does occasionally lick him for a few minutes a few times a day. She chases after him often and snuggles up to him. He asks her for licks ALL THE TIME and they go head to head often and then pass each other an snuggle or go opposite directions. They do eat together some of the time but not ALL of the time. Its seems like most of what I read suggests a bonded pair does EVERYTHING together, but some say they don’t. Any sings I can look out for to suggest they’re fully bonded? Oh and they’ve spent all 5 nights I’ve had them back together, don’t know how many nights they had together at the shelter but when I picked them up they said they’re bonded. I tried the smushed banana on Pipes head for Bowie to lick, he did it once and since then trying it again he refuses! She however will lick food off of him gladly. Is it normal for one rabbit to do all the licking and one to do really none? I would assume they’re still figuring out their relationship. 

Anyhow, sorry for the long read! And many thanks for the help and advice! Much love from Terry, Bun, Bowie, and Piper.

[Bunnybuggg]

I made their x-pen a bit smaller so they have to snuggle but still enough room to move around. They seem to be snuggling now. Tired of sleeping on floor next to them, cant wait till I feel they are secure enough to sleep in my bedroom with Bun (solo senior rabbit).

[Sirius&Luna]

It sounds like they are mostly bonded, but I agree, it could do with a bit of extra work!

Bonded bunnies don’t do EVERYTHING together, but generally, they do choose to spend most of their time in the same area. I have a trio, and often one of them will be off doing their own thing and the other two will be hanging it out – it varies but they all sometimes want time by themselves.

Nipping to get out the way isn’t really problematic behaviour, but the grooming stand offs aren’t great. Although, as long as they resolve it between themselves without a fight, then that’s a good sign.

I think it would be good if you kept them in a smaller space for a week or so, and maybe continued with a few stress bonding car rides. It sounds like they’re mostly there, but perhaps need to just cement their bond in the new space.

The other thing is having another rabbit around can cause problems in bonded pairs. It could well be that smelling Bun is upsetting them a bit. I would be very careful about moving them all into your bedroom as it could well cause fighting between the bonded pair.

[Bunnybuggg]

Thanks!! will try that! Maybe that part above was not clear, I am definitely NOT moving them into my bedroom with Bun, that is her room and her room alone. They are on a landing that I deodorized head to toe and in two weeks will be moving back into Bowies old room but only after I move it around, clean it, and deodorize it. I would never put them with Bun since they are not bonded with her and she is very much a solo rabbit. Bun has not been out on the landing since it as deodorized so it shouldn’t smell like her but isn’t far down the hall. 

Will try some stress bonding again in the AM! xoxox

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