can bunnies be re-bonded?

[tanzilouise]

Hello everyone, 

my basic question is can bunnies who have previously fought with one another be re-bonded?

back story:

I bought my two boys a couple of years ago, they were happy together until they were about 10 months old, they started to fight so i separated them and got them both nuetered.

I tried to gradually introduce them to each other after a couple of months apart, however it was very unsuccessful as a fight between the wired fence ended up with one of my boys needing a “nose job” and therefore I made the decision to keep them separate, and they have been for about 18 months now.

I was recently cleaning out their houses (letting them have free run of the garden, one at a time), i then noticed that the other had snuck out of his little garden and they were right next to each other in the garden, so I picked one up and put him back into his little garden. As an after thought, i questioned myself, “why weren’t they fighting?”

I’ve since let them see each other through the wire on their doors on a couple of occasions, and they seem to be okay with each other, and have shown no signs of getting aggressive.

I’ve read on here that people have said that rabbits can hold grudges, but can also forget if they’ve had long enough apart where they haven’t seen or smelt each other and they could build a new bond.

My rabbits currently live in a large handmade shed that has been split in half, and each of their doors lead onto a garden which is also split in half with a wooden fence. So, they have been able to smell and hear each other while they’ve been separated, but could it still be possible for them to socialise with each other again?

Sorry for such a long post, and Thank you in advance for an advice you are able to offer.

[sarahthegemini]

I think it’s possible, definitely. But take everything verrry slowly. Do plenty of pre bonding and if in doubt, take a step back.

[Sirius&Luna]

I agree, that sounds like a positive sign.

I realised my bunnies were ready for bonding when they accidentally ended up out together, and ignored each other (where previously, Luna would lunge at Atlas straight away, although they never had a fight since they weren’t previously bonded).

I would start swapping them between each others sections for a month or so, and see how they feel about that. Then if they don’t seem put out by that, you can try a very short introduction on neutral territory (armed with leather gloves or oven gloves in case you need to separate!)

[DanaNM]

I do think it’s possible, especially with a longggggg break, like yours have had. One member here (I can’t remember who) had given up on bonding two buns (they fought every attempt), so they decided to keep them separate, side by side. After a year or two of this, they noticed them laying near each other, and acting very positively towards each other. She decided to re-try, and they bonded very quickly.

So yes, I think go very slowly, and start with side-swapping and see how they react…

. . . 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.  

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