Bonding two males

[Smoggy]

Hi,

We have to male house rabbits, one is 6.5 yrs old the other is 3.5 yrs old, unfortunately they both lost their respective partners and we are looking to bond them. We are following this approach 

• Both rabbits in same room but separated by a pen, been like this for over two weeks now.
• 3 introductions been carried out in neutral area. 1st introduction went ok, they mainly ignored each offer. 2nd introduction was the same apart from at the end they started to try and fight but I separated them. The third introduction they just ignored each other, they sat at opposite ends but each at random points purred. They met once and one growled but I stroked them to settle them down.

We are just not sure if this is normal e.g. they just sit there but when they are in the penned off room they do lay down next to each other. We are worried that the smaller one is scared and that we are doing the wrong thing? If not do you have any suggestions on how we should progress?

Thanks for any advice 

[sarahthegemini]

When you say you’ve had them side by side for two weeks, have you also been switching them? Along with swapping litter trays, bowls etc? This is something that should be done for a month at least (this is ‘pre bonding’l) so if you skipped that, go back to that stage first and foremost

[Author]

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