Bonding/creating neutral space

[Bunnybuggg]

We recently added a new addition to our family, a little Netherland dwarf female to bond without REW Bowie. They currently live in the guest bedroom but cannot stay there long term. Bowie was in the 2nd bedroom and landing area for over a year. I have no that area was considered his territory based on marking, chewing, chin rubbing, etc. I’d like to move the pair back up there but how to do I make the space neutral for them? I am worried about him attacking his new mate if they go back up there in two weeks time. They have been bonded for a week now and I will be able to keep them in the guest room for two more weeks to solidify the bond. Any advice aside from cleaning with vinegar? How do I clean the carpet to make it neutral space again? What else can I do?

WOULD LOVE ADVICE! THANK YOU!

*Cannot have them in bedroom 1 because (other solo rabbit) Bun lives there and in her old age don’t want to take away what has been her bedroom for many years, and she doesn’t chew like the others do with an open closet, etc.

[DanaNM]

Hi there.

So it sounds like they are bonded in neutral space, and have been living together for about a week? Another two weeks will be awesome to really cement them.

With my most recent pair, I went straight from neutral to their final home, because I didn’t really have a “semi-neutral” option.

Not sure what their set up will be in the other room, but what I did was completely renovated their condo: rearranged the levels and location of litter box, water bowls, etc. All new toys, all new fleece. Wiped everything down with vinegar. For the carpet, I sprinkled baking soda around, rubbed it in a little, and then vacuumed it up. (I eventually did slowly reintroduce some of their old toys, but not all at once, and not for a while).

It can also help to put lots of fun distractions in the new space: treats, new toys (even if they are just toilet paper tubes and new cardboard boxes).

I didn’t have any problems moving mine into their final space. Some pairs do back track a little whenever they move locations, so I think as long as you clean and rearrange the best you can, and give yourself a few days to supervise, then you should be in good shape.

. . . 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.  

[Bunnybuggg]

Yes, correct! They have been together in neutral space for 1 week bonded by a local rescue, and came home two days ago to a new neutral space and will be in neutral space for two weeks total.

DanaNM, THANK YOU so much for the help and advice! I assume I would have to do the same or similar with the giant Persian carpet in there which I often cover with other blankets, but Bowie has peed and marked the Persian rug and I know I need to erase that smell somehow. As far as the room, im sure I would have to wash down the bed in there, the baseboards, desk, and floor. thinking of leaving the rug outside on the porch for a week after cleaning it to give it some air and new smells. Thanks for the idea to slowly reintroduce toys back in! Good to know I have that option if that works for them!

My plan is to rearrange the room, move the bed to a different wall, and the desk, and get rid of some boxes that are in there now. Wash the blankets to put on top of the rug with vinegar.

Thank you for the advice! much love

[Bunnybuggg]

Yes, correct! They have been together in neutral space for 1 week bonded by a local rescue, and came home two days ago to a new neutral space and will be in neutral space for two weeks total. 

DanaNM, THANK YOU so much for the help and advice! I assume I would have to do the same or similar with the giant Persian carpet in there which I often cover with other blankets, but Bowie has peed and marked the Persian rug and I know I need to erase that smell somehow. As far as the room, im sure I would have to wash down the bed in there, the baseboards, desk, and floor. thinking of leaving the rug outside on the porch for a week after cleaning it to give it some air and new smells. Thanks for the idea to slowly reintroduce toys back in! Good to know I have that option if that works for them! My plan is to rearrange the room, move the bed to a different wall, and the desk, and get rid of some boxes that are in there now. Wash the blankets to put on top of the rug with vinegar. 

Thank you for the advice! much love

[DanaNM]

You’re welcome!

If they are properly bonded and cemented, they should theoretically be OK with some familiar smells.

I know my carpet prob still had lots of familiar smells when I moved mine back home, so do the best you can, but no need to go crazy trying to make everything 100% neutral. The idea with bonding is you build the bond in neutral, so that they are OK to move to less neutral space. Flipping the room around like you mentioned will likely be plenty to make it seem new and different! Imagine coming home and finding your house with everything rearranged…. you would likely be quite confused!

One other thing I didn’t mention, is that bunnies use chew marks as a way to mark territory. If there’s anything wood that you want to keep using (or you have to), you can sand down the chewed spots to remove the chew marks. For example, my bunny condo has wooden dowels as supports, and I didn’t want to replace all the dowels…. This might work for any spots on baseboards that Bowie’s chewed on (GREAT name, BTW!). You can also spritz unfinished wooden surfaces with a dilute vinegar mix and then leave to dry in the sun.

. . . 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.  

[Bunnybuggg]

Thank you! Yes, I was thinking of what to do. He did chew and leave a mark on my brother baseboard LOL and he has an activity zone and bed with many marks id have to sand down…We use lots of wood chew toys for him so im not sure what to do with most of them. As a pair, we did get them new toys! Thank you again so much for your advice! 

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