Completely shocked!

[LoveMyLionhead]

I have two rabbits at the moment, Leo my lionhead whom I’ve had for almost 2 years, and in September I brought Margie home. Long story short I’ve been waiting to bond the two because Margie isn’t spayed yet (Leo is) today I brought Margie to the vet for a wellness checkup before scheduling the surgery. To my complete shock I found out Margie was a BOY. (When I got him from the pet store they told me he was a girl) Now I feel as though I have a dilemma. First of all Leo is VERY territorial, he actually tried to bite Margie in the nose when I first brought him home, but they have been separated since. Second where do I begin, is it even possible to bond these two with my first bun being so territorial..?

[jerseygirl]

(When I got him from the pet store they told me he was a girl)

This happens all the time!

So I’m assuming Margie isnt neutered… That would be your first step. Then after about a month I would attempt some bonding sessions in a completely neutral area.

[Malp_15]

Don’t give up hope! Definitely neuter Margie, like Jersey, said and wait another month for his hormones to calm down. It make take some work if both your buns are territorial, but if the other one is more laidback there probably won’t be much of a problem bonding.

I have 2 males, that have been bonded for a month and a half. They are totally great with each other

[LoveMyLionhead]

Thanks that makes me feel a little better. I’m just afraid that Leo is going to hurt him..Margie is so laid back and he always wants to go by Leo. I’m too attached to him to bring him to the humane society, but my boyfriend keeps telling me we should get a girl which I don’t want to do. Getting him neutered does cost a lot of money so if they don’t get along its going to suck.

[Malp_15]

Even though you’ve found out that Margie is a different gender, it still means Margie is Margie. Bonding has more to do with a rabbits personality than it’s gender. And there was no guarantee that once you spayed Margie, that bonding with Leo would work out. In my opinion you have as much luck going into bonding now that you know he’s a boy, than you did when you thought he was a girl.

[Beka27]

Definitely go ahead with your plans to neuter and bond. Girls can be very territorial, moreso than boys… so you might find you have an easier time with two boys than a boy and a territorial girl.

[tanlover14]

I have to agree with what every one else has said. Since your boyfriend wants a girl, I’m just wondering if it’s because of the most common theory – that boy and girl buns are MUCH easier to bond? If so, I would just like to say that’s a very bad misconception that many people aren’t aware of. With that same thought in mind, my boyfriend and I got a boy and girl. Then decided to make ours a trio. Needless to say, my BOYS were MUCH easier to bond than the girl to either of the boys! It really is all about personality. If your other boy is more laidback I think you’re even more in luck for success. I have one boy who is the macho bun and my other boy is the laidback bun and he quite easily and quickly (and by quickly, I mean grooming each other within the first bonding session) became submissive to my other bun which ended in a quick, easy, and long-lasting bond and friendship between the two!

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