Delayed bonding

[furballlover]

I have 2 buns, Karou who has been with me 7 months and is spayed, and Alfred who has been with me just over a month and not yet spayed. Alfred has bunny syphilis so the spay has to be delayed until she gets the all clear from the vet, which should be this week *fingers crossed*. After this she’ll be spayed. My concern is that when Karou first saw Alfred, she screamed, multiple times. It was horrible and scared me. There was no physical contact so I know it was an angry scream but she’s never done that before. Usually Karou stomps her foot when she’s annoyed.

Both buns are in my room, and that is where they must stay. I live with a family that has several dogs and my room is the only ‘dog free zone’. I’ve set the cages up so they can see, smell, hear each other and that seems to have helped Karou settle down some. Alfred seemed completely unconcerned with Karou though she had very little socialization before coming to me so I don’t know if that is part of it.

After Alfred is given the all clear by the vet, they’ll be sharing play space, but at different times, until Alfred is spayed and healed up.

Since it will be over 2 months before they are properly introduced, can any one give some tips? I read about car ride/walking around with buns in a tub to simulate car ride but Karou is a jumper. As in, 3 feet isn’t a challenge, it’s just a big step. I’m reluctant to put both in a carrier together since I wouldn’t be able to stop a fight immediately and Alfred is on Gabapentin whenever she has to go in her carrier (it takes a full day for her to calm down completely and eat normally after a vet visit or a car ride). Any tips? I’ve never had 2 buns at the same time and rehoming is not something I will do. I love them both too much.

[HipHopBunny]

Hi @furballover

After Alfred is spayed, you should wait a  month before you do any bonding or pre-bonding. For, hormones will still be ‘floating around’ a month after. Did Karou scream an actual full scream? Or was it more honking?

I don’t know about letting Alfred out in the playpen until a week of healing, but that could just be me being an overly concerned bun mom. 😉

The car ride that you are talking about is used for stress-bonding, for buns who are being difficult to bond. I would say to only do it if you have another person in the car with you, to manage hoppy buns. I am not the fondest of stress-bonding, for just regular bonding is already stressful enough for them, but stress bonding does help with the difficult ones. If you don’t have another person to help you manage them in the car, maybe you could try a laundry basket?

Wishing you the best of luck!

[furballlover]

Karou definitely screamed.

I will try to less stress bonding, I don’t like the idea of stressing them, especially with Alfred.

Thanks!

[HipHopBunny]

Sounds good. 🙂 Although, with the way things are sounding, it sounds as though you might have to, for an actual scream, that is something new to me. But, definitely avoid it as much as possible. It is good how you are being prepared and ready with a plan. Shows a sign of a good bun parent. 😉

[DanaNM]

I think in your case I would recommend a nice long pre-bonding period where they live as neighbors. You might not even want to do side-swaps at first, and just let them get acquainted without too much stress. Then once they seem chill with each other that way, start side swaps or litter box swaps. Sharing the same play space at alternate times will also be really helpful as they will get to smell each other that way. Once they seem pretty chill with that, start sessions.

Is Karou comforted by pets? I’m thinking it would be really good to focus on building trust between them and positive associations, rather than using stressing right away. So during pre-bonding, always feed them near each other on oppposite sides of the fence. Position their litter boxes so they can see each other while they are eating hay and using the box. Pet them both and swap scents.

Then when you start sessions, take them to a calm but neutral space, and pet them both and swap scents more. If they approach each other, pet pet pet and keep everyone calm. This makes them think the other rabbit is grooming them and can really help when one rabbit is very nervous and tensions are high.

Eventually you would ease off the petting, but at first this technique can be really helpful to establish some trust between them and get you started on a peaceful foot.

. . . 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.  

[furballlover]

Karou absolutely loves pets. She melts into a puddle the moment I start petting her.

The vet said Alfred will need more shots for her syphilis so seems like it will be at least 2 more months (she’s not spayed yet) before Alfred’s ready to meet officially.

I do have them set up where they can see each other and I moved Alfred’s hay and food bowl so Karou can see her while they eat.

I have some questions relating to pre-bonding stress but I think it’s more a behavior thing so I’ll ask it in the behavior section.

Thanks for all the help!

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