First time bonding – advice appreciated!! :)

[Amelia's Moms]

I have two baby girls:

Kadeja – velveteen lop, was used to breed many liters of show rabbits, kept in horrendous conditions until rescued by shelter. About 4 years old.

Asa – small mix breed found left in a Rubbermaid container in an abandoned building. Sweetest bunny I’ve ever met, licks everyone she meets and loves to cuddle. The golden retriever of bunnies. Seems younger, maybe around 2?

Both girls are fixed. I started them out in side by side cages in a neutral space. Kadeja showed aggression, growling, and trying to nip Asa through the bars. I switched their litter boxes and then their cages so they could get used to each other’s smell. I have done 5 or so dates in the bathtub now, lasting at least an hour each. Asa to no surprise was affectionate from the very beginning, immediately cuddled up to Kadeja and started grooming her. Kadeja has allowed grooming but still attempts to nip Asa when grooming has stopped or if I’m not petting them to keep them calm. Kadeja tries to stick her head under Asa’s belly and nip. However Asa shows no aggression and continues to cuddle and groom Kadeja. I have seen some promising behavior in Kadeja, she has bowed her head to be groomed and laid down relaxed while cuddling. But if they are just exploring Kadeja tries to nip.

Should I allow the nipping? I’m worried it will hurt Asa or turn into a fight.

Any advice to help bond them?

Much appreciated <3

[jerseygirl]

It sounds as if it is going well so far. A good combo with Asa being such a love-bug. Just doing more of these sessions will go toward the trust building. You will hopefully see Kadeja becoming more relaxed about Asa moving around. You could try setting up a neutral pen if the bathtub is getting tiresome. Experiment with covering the sides with a sheet v’s leaving them uncovered.

I personally would try discourage the belly nips if I can see them about to happen.. Sometimes you only need say “uh-uh” or make a short, sharp noise to prevent it. Sometimes you need reach in and steer their head away (be careful she doesnt turn on you).

I recently have put 2 of my single buns together for a trial meeting. The female does this too. The male was just curious about the space and moving about, and she would sometime put her head down and try go for his belly or butt. She was bonded to another male for 4 1/2 years until he passed away in September. She did do this a little in the last year or so but he was not bothered. It wasn’t actual biting, just pulling tuft of fur occasionally but usually not even that.

With a new relationship, it can be more problematic if the other rabbit reacts badly. I think it’s Kadeja probably testing the waters a bit, somewhat dominant.You might see her do it, then pop her head under Asa’s head to try get grooms also.

It could also be learned behaviour from her past. (My female was kept in a group of rabbits and had one litter that I know of, possibly more) The other rabbit taken with her was young and had a bad bite injury on his back. We were told it was her son. We don’t know if she did it or another rabbit in the group).

[Amelia's Moms]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! You were incredibly helpful!! Bonding is going more smoothly. Kadeja has been requesting constant grooms and only nips when Asa doesn’t oblige. I am working increasing the space they are allowed.

Thank you for all your help and happy new year! 

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