Bonding a bunny with trauma

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This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 7 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 04/04/2022 at 3:56 PM
  Ellen
  Participant
  37 posts
  So I will be getting a new bun in a couple weeks because his owner is no longer able to care for him. She told me he likely has a bit of trauma because she’s tried to bond him with her dog in the past. Any advice on bonding him with my current bun and well bonding with him as well. I don’t want any fights to break out because he is terrified 🫤
- 04/04/2022 at 4:41 PM
  attemptedquad
  Participant
  52 posts
  I’d let him settle in a bit first! Lots of prebonding and confidence building (lots of pets, allow for exploration, normal good bun parent stuff). I wouldn’t worry too much about history with other animals- it will be completely different with other bunnies, as long as both are obvious fixed for a few weeks first. My first bun had LOTS of trauma regarding animals and humans. When I first met her, she was unfixed and constantly fighting the female bun that was next door through the bars. She is literally an instant bond for other fixed rabbits now.
- 04/04/2022 at 6:48 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Please see our bonding guide for information on the bonding process: https://binkybunny.com/infocategory/bonding/
  
  As @attemptedquad mentions, give the new rabbit at least a week to “settle-in” first and feel more secure in the environment, then you can simply move slowly with just pre-bonding (no dates).
  
  To maximize the likelihood of successful bonding, make sure both the rabbits are at least 1mo post-spay/neuter.
  
  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.
- 04/05/2022 at 9:05 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  Agree with the others, and I consider a 1 week settling in to be the minimum. If the bun has some trauma, it would benefit from an even longer settling in period and lots of pre-bonding. You should let the bun settle in until you see lots of relaxed behaviors from him, and then you can start pre-bonding.
  
  . . . 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.
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