Chilly Rabbit and Dusty Bunny

[Chilly's Mom]

 

Hello Everyone,

I'm so happy there's a site like this. I adopted Dusty 3 weeks ago as a companion to Chilly. They're still in the bonding process. Everyday that goes by is like 2 steps forward one step back. I feel like I'm dealing with kids rather than bunnies. During this bonding process I've been bit, scratched and peed on! I'm trying to see the big picture (them being the best of friends) and not give up so quickly. Any advice or antidotes you can share would help. 

1. Rabbit names: Chilly (albino Netherland Dwarf) & Dusty (charcoal, not sure of her breed...can anyone tell me?)
2. Rabbit Age: both about 3 years
3. How long has your bunny been with you? Chilly I've had for 3 years. Dusty for 3 weeks
4. Spayed/Neutered? both spayed
5. Rabbit Personality Traits (Calm, Diva, Naughty, Feisty, Sweet etc). I adopted Chilly when she was a baby and now, 3 years later, she's a diva. I take her to most places I go. She travels in the car, usually spreading out on the floor of the passenger side or bundled up in my lap. She's my morning alarm clock. She's not treat motivated but loves her pellet meals. I just learned that she's overweight (4.9 lbs.), so we're working on a diet plan for her. Dusty, is a sweet rabbit. She's really easy to get along with whether you're human or rabbit. She's ready to be friends with Chilly, if only she would accept! Dusty is a runner. Her big feet and ears remind me of a jackrabbit. She is definitely a curious one. She'll sniff and nibble anything put in front of her. Lately she's rubbing her chin on everything and spraying everywhere. When will it end?!

1. Are you new to rabbits or have you been a bunny slave for a long while now? I've fostered rabbits in the past 5 years and finally adopted in 2006. It's been Chilly ever since and now Dusty too.
2. What made you choose to have a rabbit companion in your life? I've help save rabbits from being snake food in the past and finding homes for them was exhausting, but I love how they hop, sleep and do binkies. I like that they're vegetarians, which makes my life healthier. I can't imagine not having a rabbit in my life. And now I have double the pleasure and fun.

 

 

[MarkBun]

Welcome!

Introducing a new rabbit into an established female’s territory is always rough. You just have to be persistent.

[katie, max & penny]

bienvenidos! dusty looks like a flemish mix to me! how much does she weigh?

[Scooter]

Welcome Welcome! what a great pair!

[Monkeybun]

Welcome to you and your pretty buns!

…sounds so wrong saying that… *shakes head and walks away…. lol*

[jerseygirl]

Hello! They are a beauty pair & great names. How old is Dusty? Do you think she’s fully grown? Those ears do look flemish but if she’s not fully grown, the ears may just appear larger. I was thining maybe American or Beveren also… Does she have blue or brown eyes? Perhaps that soft, longish looking fur might give a clue too.

[Beka27]

Very pretty buns!

[Chilly's Mom]

Thank you all for making me and the girls feel welcomed.

Last night there was some break through. Dusty and Chilly had their first run time together in Chilly’s room (my bedroom). I rearranged some furniture and moved their cages so that they’re side to side to change the feel of the room. It was 2 1/2 hours of binkies, chasing (not charging for once) and hide & seek between the two. Dusty would enter Chilly’s cage to eat her hay and leftover dinner salad and Chilly would enter Dusty’s cage to eat her leftover pellets. They were content to say the least. There was the occassional spraying and droppings compliments of Dusty. Dusty being the inquisitive bun would search for places she hasn’t “chinned”. There were a few scuffles when Dusty would run up to Chilly, sniff her and run away, but not before some tuffs of fur would fly. I think at that point, Chilly just wanted her space. It’s going to be another dinner salad tonight and more bonding time. I ordered an exercise pen for them that should be in today. I’m excited to see these two starting to get along.

Dusty weighs in at 4.9 pounds, the same as Chilly (who’s over weight for a Netherland Dwarf). The animal shelter I adopted her from said that Dusty is about 3 years old and should be fully grown. Given the size of her big ears, big paws and big head I’m not so sure. Her coat reminds me of a Rex because it’s velvety but in any case, I think she’s the sweetest and so easy to get along with bun.

[Beka27]

That sounds very promising! If they continue to have some good playtime together, you’ll want to “bite the bullet” and try them together for a longer period of time, and possibly overnight… Have you settled on a shared space for them?

[Chilly's Mom]

I have separate cages for them right now, which are placed side by side. It’s the 3ft x 2ft Marchioro cages. Eventually I want to remove the joining side and make it a 6 x 2 space. Ideally I would like to have them share the space and play while I’m at work, but that will be at a later time. Unfortunately I can’t dedicate one room for them and have to share my bed with them, but they don’t seem to mind because they play hide & seek between the bedskirt and under the bed.

Chilly has her annual exam today and she tested positive for coccidia! She had the common symptoms of runny stool causing her bum to be dirty. Now I need to treat her and Dusty (as a precaution). Poor babies.

[Dusty's Dad]

Sounds like our girls had quite the evening last night! Running all around chasing each other and doing their binky’s! Quite the change from just a few weeks ago. I knew it would only take some time before the would becaome pals. I know we still have a ways to go before there are just the best of buddies, but we certainly are alot further along then we were when Dusty first came home. You are doing a wonderful job with our little girls!

Dusty’s Dad

[Monkeybun]

Aww poor Chilly. Hope she gets better! And welcome to Dusty’s Dad

[Chilly's Mom]

Chilly & Dusty are certainly doing better in terms of bonding. There’s a lot less charging and grunting and more sharing meals together and resting in each other presence. The only problem now is the droppings everywhere and the territorial peeing! Fortunately their neutral space is on the kitchen tile floor, but how long does this go on??? Any suggestions as to how to stop this behaviour?

[luvmybunny]

Welcome to BB! Cute bunnies!

[Chilly's Mom]

I bought Dusty to work with me today. I toted her in a canvas bag that gives her space to move about, but still confining enough to nestle her. She hasn’t wanted to venture around the area and seems content on staying in her place of comfort. All most rabbits this well behaved???

[MarkBun]

Depends on the bun really. Dono is like that but when I bring Maryann to work, she wants to head out into the workplace. It’s amazing too that she knows her way back to my cube when something startles her.

[Chilly's Mom]

It was a successful day in the office for Dusty. Up until today Chilly and Dusty have been together. Today I decided to bring Dusty to work (for some show and tell). She was toted in a bag and set on a large open counter. She stayed within the confines of the bag and even took a nap at one point. Then when refreshed, she began exploring, but not without nibbling on some grass first. She didn’t want to venture far from her bag as she felt very safe there. So I put her on a chair. On the chair she stretched and groomed and relaxed—for 3 hours! What a successful day in the office for Dusty.

Here’s a picture of her if you think you can find her.

[Author]

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