Bonding Advice Please?

[bunnymonster]

So my two bunnies are a male and a female. Both are neutered. (Molly three weeks ago, Mycroft four weeks ago. I know I should have waited longer before beginning bonding, but I want to move them into their new, much better, accommodation asap.)

These two lived happily together as babies and were separated as teenagers. They still see each other regularly, as their runs are placed side by side. 

Now, I began bonding in the bathtub, which worked beautifully, but maybe not for the right reasons. Poor Molly hated the surface and would barely move. (She was not too scared, as she would eat, or I would have moved them.) They shared vegetables. Mycroft mounted Molly a few times which she didn’t seem to like much but did nothing about .Mycroft groomed Molly for ages. He also flopped next to her repeatedly, and tried to snuggle. He is a happy, go lucky bunny and is absolutely smitten. They were in there with no problems for two hours. 

On the second day I introduced a litter tray to the bathtub. This caused a little more tension, but there were no fights and they soon seemed to accept sharing it. By the end of the bonding session they had both flopped in the tray, and had slept, snuggling for half an hour. Every so often Mycroft stopped being lazy for long enough to lick Molly’s ears.

TODAY. I put a towel in the tub. (Completely neutral. No scent.) I wanted to see how they would interact on a less slippery surface. At first all went well. Mycroft was his usual affectionate self. But Molly instantly became more confident. She tried to mount Mycroft, Mycroft tried to mount her, and the crazy circling began. Things escalated into a tussle (not a full on fight) and I had to seperate them. I then removed the towel, but they still squabbled on the slippy surface. Eventually I managed to get them to sit together eating veggies for another minute or so afterwards, so as to end the date on a positive note.

What should I do about the fighting? I think they both want to be in charge.  Personally, I think Molly should be in charge, she’s much more sensible. But how can I let them work it out safely between themselves? I am taking them for a car ride tomorrow. Can anyone give me any other tips? Molly just seems to hate being mounted. 

(sorry this is long!)

[MoveDiagonally]

First off, welcome to the forums! 

Second,  I really would wait until they’ve both been spayed/neutered for at LEAST 4 weeks. It can take up to 6 weeks for hormones to completely dissipate. This is really a short amount of time when you think about how they will be spending the rest of their lives together. Bonding before their hormones have dissipated really only makes it harder on them and you. It’s really not something that can be rushed. 

That said, even if they were completely hormone free I think you introduced too much too quickly. I would not use litter boxes in neutral sessions because litter boxes are territory. Something to claim and fight over. Neutral sessions are about them learning to get along in a place they have no territorial claim and adding a litter box contradicts that. Litter boxes are usually something that is added after they get along in semi neutral areas. Too much too fast can hurt or delay their bonding. 

To recap: My advice is to wait at least a week, do pre-bonding stuff in that time, and then re-introduce in neutral without litter boxes or other distractions. 

[bunnymonster]

Thanks for your reply!

I forgot to mention that the litter tray was brand new. Is that still a problem?

I think I just became over confident after the first session. It seemed to go so well! 

Another thing I wanted to mention is that Mycroft has been acting strangely with me lately. Normally he is super loving, and will follow me around/beg for greens/let me stroke him. But just recently he has been very grumpy with me. Do you think this could be because of the bonding process?

I will try to slow things down from now on. But do you think it could work out between them? Isn’t the grooming/flopping/snuggling a positive sign?

Sorry for all the questions. I just want them to be happy!

Thanks again. 

[MoveDiagonally]

Even a brand new litter box can pose problems. Once one of them uses the box it becomes non-neutral. Mycroft could be acting differently because of bonding but I would keep an eye on him just in case. Is he still eating, pooping, etc normally?

Generally I think most rabbits can be bonded but I wouldn’t worry about it right now. There’s no way to know if their hormones are playing a part and it’s so early.

[tanlover14]

MD gave you great advice, per usual!

As she said, wait the full amount of time to re-introduce. You’re just giving yourself a headache that may be easily avoided IF hormones are the culprit still!

Definitely no litter boxes until they are further along in the bonding process – it’s very easy to get excited and get ahead of yourself (and them)… I have done it a million times when bonding my group. Just take it slow and easy. You’ll make a lot more progress that way since speeding them up too quickly will only lead to disagreements and bickerments. It sounds like they were doing very well in the beginning stages – so my rule of thumb is if you move to the next stage and they become wild such as they did – take them back down to the last stage and leave them them a bit longer in that stage (since you were having success there).

[lindsay715]

just wanted to say your bunnies have lovely names

[bunnymonster]

His eating/toilet habits are as usual. Thankfully! If not he would be at the vets by now.

I think he is just feeling especially territorial, bless him.

Thanks for your advice!

[bunnymonster]

Posted By tanlover14 on 10/14/2013 11:28 PM

MD gave you great advice, per usual!

As she said, wait the full amount of time to re-introduce. You’re just giving yourself a headache that may be easily avoided IF hormones are the culprit still!

Definitely no litter boxes until they are further along in the bonding process – it’s very easy to get excited and get ahead of yourself (and them)… I have done it a million times when bonding my group. Just take it slow and easy. You’ll make a lot more progress that way since speeding them up too quickly will only lead to disagreements and bickerments. It sounds like they were doing very well in the beginning stages – so my rule of thumb is if you move to the next stage and they become wild such as they did – take them back down to the last stage and leave them them a bit longer in that stage (since you were having success there).

I’m glad you think they were doing well. I will slow things down and remove the litter tray. I have also tried putting Mycroft’s favourite blanket in with Molly tonight. I thought it might help her get used to him being around? *fingers crossed*

Thanks for your help! 

[bunnymonster]

Posted By lindsay715 on 10/15/2013 10:11 AM

just wanted to say your bunnies have lovely names

Thank you! 

[tanlover14]

Switching towels/blankets with each others scents on them is a great idea! I would do it for both of them

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