Bonding our neutered male with a spayed female

[bunbun10881]

We went to an adoption event over the weekend to find our two year old neutered male mini rex (Hibiki) a companion. He’s really social, curious and energetic. 

The first bun we tried he liked but she hated him so we moved on. The second bun he ended up grooming and doing well with. He ended up spending most of his time with her. The third bun attacked him and left him a little scared. So, we put him back in with the second bun a New Zealand named Mia. Everything went well until she tried to get some water and he got a bit spooked so we ended up separating them for a bit. Once he cooled down everything went back to normal. On the way home we were told to put them in the same carried in order to try and get them to bond but the moment we tried to set her down he lunged at her. Mia ignored him and didn’t attack in either situation, she was pretty mellow. 

They told us he was probably still spooked about the other bun attack and to try and take her home anyway. She is super sweet and seems pretty social so we are hoping it works. 

We were given a bonding guide and have been following it as best as we can. They are in separate cages at least 3 inches apart. They have been curious about one another sniffing at each other through they’re fences. On the second day we put them in each others cages and it went fine. 

We did notice that Hibiki was sort of lunging and nipping at the fence but it was only occasionally (roughly about 1-3 times a day no more than that, otherwise they just sniff each other or looked at each other through the fence). Today, we are supposed to do a 15 min session with them in the same area but we are a bit concerned because of the lunging. He did also grunt at her once yesterday.

Is this normal behavior? Should we be concerned? I don’t want to put them in the same cage if it could mean a fight. 

[Dface]

Choose a neutral are to introduce them, somewhere neither rabbit has ever been-most people suggest the bathtub with a towel on the bottom. No-bun feels the need to defend territory and they tend to be able to scope each other out. Plus it’s very easy for you to keep the situation calm. Some people use loandry baskets either, or just section off a part of the house that neither has been in before.

There will be some scuffling-not fighting, if you see that you’ll need to intervene(wear gloves rabbits have sharp teeth)

It sounds like he hasn’t really come around to the idea of another rabbit in his home just yet. If I were you I’d wait a little while before letting them meet face to face. Let him get used to her smell and not being a threat to him.

Keep in mind you would not be very happy with another human just straight up moving into your house after being introduced, no matter how nice you thought they were initially!

[tobyluv]

I also think it would be a good idea to wait a short while (about a week) before you attempt bonding. Let Mia get settled into her new home first.

I have had very good luck using an x-pen for bonding. If it’s one that has previously been used, make sure you wash it to remove any scents from it. Put a sheet or blanket down on the floor, to mask any scents that might be in the carpet or rugs, and place the x-pen on it. So, even if the x-pen is in a room that isn’t neutral, the pen and blanket make for a small neutral space. My husband and I get in the x-pen with the bunnies, to break up any fighting or to stop excessive humping.

[Theo&Leo]

I agree with tobyluv, give it time, maybe even a month or so. You’ve brought a new friend home however to your bunny this is someone still very new and whom is now in “his space”. He needs to get used to seeing, smelling and socialising with her. Mia won’t be comfortable just yet anyways and you could end up with a negative reaction from her if you push the bond. Just get them used to eating/drinking/pooing side by side for a while and then go from there once you know Mia has settled in, has gotten used to you as her new owners and Hibiki has calmed down getting used to her being around.

[Author]

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