Bonding my buns.

[CoralBunny]

I’ve had my first rabbit, Totoro, for about 8 months (She is an unspayed female). I recently got another unspayed female bun named Mokona who is just a baby. I’ve been trying to acquaint them, but it hasnt been going so well. /:

Totoro is the problem, mainly. Mokona is so sweet and tries to cuddle her, but Totoro just isn’t into it. Lately, if I pet Totoro while Mokona is cuddling up to her, she’s fine and even gives Mokona little kisses. But if Mokona moves AT ALL Totoro flips out and growls, lunges, and nips at her. I don’t understand it, I guess.

I feel like I’ve tried everything- neutral spaces, treats, using the spray bottle, putting their cages close together… I just want them to get along!

Any advice on the matter would be much appreciated.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Ouch I wouldn’t advise bonding two unspayed females until they are altered. Girl bunnys seem way more territorial. Do you have any plans on getting Totoro spayed soon? How old is Mokona?

[Beka27]

The older one is of age to be spayed. The younger may need to wait a bit (until about 6 months old). Once both of them are spayed and have healed for at least a month, then you can revisit bonding. Until then, it is important that they be kept separate. Two females are notoriously hard to bond; even after spaying, you may find this challenging.

How did you come across these buns? Did you plan on two females or was the baby mis-sexed?

[CoralBunny]

I guess they’ll both be getting spayed then.

I was looking for a companion for Totoro initially, and chose another female so i could avoid baby buns. I really should have done more research beforehand. I didn’t learn that it was better to match a female with a male until after i had already brought Mokona home. I figured since she was a baby Totoro wouldn’t mind her much, but I was sadly mistaken.

And to answer your question, Beka, i got them both from a local pet store.

[Beka27]

Okay, thank you for the clarification. Yes, even with a single female bunny, spaying is imperative. Females have an incredibly high risk (80-85%) of developing uterine/reproductive cancer if not spayed by age 3. I’m sure you’ve come across similar stats in your research. A vet will perform a full hysterectomy (uterus) and oophorectomy (ovaries) during the procedure. This will virtually eliminate the cancer risk, of course no baby buns, AND the hormones will be out of the equation. Then they’ll both be more “clear-headed” and we can move onto bonding.

If you need help with that when the time comes, you know where to find us. In the meantime, stick around and keep doing your research. I love the HRN article “Love Match”. Don’t have the link on me but google those terms. It’s a great article on bonding.

From your initial post, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things: neutral space, switching cages, etc… the only hiccup is the fact they are unspayed.  So, once that’s squared away, you should be good!  Spaying may also calm them down, make them easier to be around, for each other AND you, improve litter habits, etc…
 

Edited to add:  Also, have they both had vet visits already?  The reason why I asked if the baby was mis-sexed (assumed male turned out female) is because it’s very difficult to sex baby bunnies.  Pet stores are especially bad at this.  If a vet hasn’t confirmed the sex of the baby, I’d still be cautious with them together in any case.

[CoralBunny]

I actually have a vet appointment for Mokona today, so we’ll find out for sure!

Thanks for your advice, it was very helpful. (:

[Beka27]

You’re welcome! Happy to help! Keep us posted on what the vet says!

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