Fully Bonded (?) and working towards free-roaming

[feireia]

Hi! I’ve been marathon bonding my two bunnies, Nova (F, 2 y.o., spayed) and Pekoe (M, 2.5 y.o., neutered) since last Friday (June 25) and I have been slowly expanding their space every 2 days. They are currently in an area that’s 2 ft x 4 ft with some humping from Nova. No fights have broken out since we started bonding them and I see mutual grooming, though Pekoe doesn’t always groom Nova when she asks. They’ll cuddle with each other and can share veggies from one plate without fights. The only item I’ve introduced in their bonding area is a water bowl but they share that without any issue. I eventually want to free-roam them so what size of an area should I work up to before considering them fully bonded? After they’re fully bonded, what steps do I take to start free-roaming them while ensuring I don’t get sent back to square 1 with bonding? Their first day of bonding was the day I moved into a new apartment so they are in a completely new space. Thanks in advance!

 

[DanaNM]

So are you working with them in the same space they will be living in permanently?  If so, that makes things a lot easier! And less likely to cause problems with the move. How long have they seemed bonded for?

I think I would make the pen a bit bigger, and have them spend time in the larger space for a bit while you get their permanent home ready to go. I would also add in a brand new large litter box. One of my metrics for a strong bond is whether they can share a litter box happily (and generally just be all up in each other’s personal space without issues or tension).

I think I would get ready to move them to their permanent home now, and plan to supervise them there for another 24-48 hrs (but chances are you will know right away if things are fine).  Honestly I’ve never had issues with the free-roaming part if when I’ve waited long enough in neutral territory. I also have no will power, so I have moved them to their final condo with the intention of keeping them there for 2 days, and then let them run after 12 hours because they just want to explore so badly!

Since your apartment is new to them, there is even less risk of issues, but if you notice some tension you can always make the space smaller for a bit longer. It’s less likely they will go back to square one, it sometimes just takes a day or so for them to get sorted out in the new space.

 

. . . 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.  

[feireia]

Yes, they are currently being bonded in their permanent living space. We started seeing mutual grooming the 2nd or 3rd day of marathon bonding and they’ve been cuddling ever since. I’m planning to increase their space every 2-3 days to ensure there is no fighting and put the litter box in when I’ve expanded my space to 3 ft x 4 ft because it’s a pretty big litter box (a cement mixing bin from Home Depot). Is there a “wait period” of sorts to ensure the bond is cemented before just letting them free-roam?

[DanaNM]

That sounds like a good plan to me! Usually the rule of thumb is to wait 48 hours once they are in their final home. Then I would go with your gut. If you let them out and they seem a little testy, I would restrict the space a bit, or give them some time free-roam and some time in the pen, until you feel confident they are doing well.

In my experience you can usually tell right away if they need a more gradual expansion to free-roam or are good to go.

. . . 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.  

[feireia]

Phew, managed to expand their area with a bit of humping but no fights. I’m starting to think this bonding is going too well. I introduced a litter box this morning to their 2ft x 4 ft area and there was no fighting or humping. Nova checked out the litter box first and Pekoe, who is the more shy and nervous of the two, was able to hop in without getting herded out by Nova. I’m hoping that’s a good sign that tonight, when they have more energy, things will be just as peaceful.

When I introduced the litter box, I added their poops and hay that was in the bonding area into it. Is that ok to have in there or should the hay be brand new?

[DanaNM]

Sounds like it’s going great! If they went in it without incident then I think you are in the clear!

Sometimes things just go smoothly like that 🙂

. . . 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.  

[feireia]

Thanks for all the help so far! I have a quick question about humping. I see it every now and then between Nova and Pekoe, always Nova humping. I don’t see any other negative behaviors from them. They sleep cuddled up, insist on sharing one bowl at meal times even though there’s one for each of them, and won’t chase each other out of the litter box. Is the occasional humping anything to worry about?

[DanaNM]

Occasional humping is nothing to worry about as long it doesn’t lead to scuffling or aggression!

 

. . . 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.  

[feireia]

This sounds too good to be true haha I’m currently at 2ft x 4 ft so does this mean I can expand at larger increments like jumping to a 4 ft by 4 ft area now? Sorry about all the questions! I really want to make sure I’m doing this right

[DanaNM]

I think you can!

. . . 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.  

[Author]

Messages