How should I move this along?

[irawful]

Rigby and Lucy have been alright together since I built them a C+C Cage, Which I thought was badass.

This has helped with the bonding A LOT, since it went seriously down hill when Rigby got surgery from her fur being pulled too hard, during a fight I couldn’t stop quick enough. It’s a vulgar picture. (12 staples and $630 later) She’s all healed up and cuddling again

Anyways, I’ve been taking it slow. One out at a time. Basically Lucy get’s the day shift and Rigby get’s the night shift. 

A few times I’ve caught Rigby grooming Lucy through the bars. Almost every morning. There are times when Rigby tries to get groomed but nothing happens.

Recently I’ve been having little Dinner Dates? Very quick. I’m very nervous about full contact since Rigby’s fur hasn’t really grown back, but there’s not even a scar. (Bunnies are amazing healers). And well, I really don’t wanna pay $630 again for more stitches. Even though she loves the Metacam LOL.

Can I have tips on what I can do now? Because I’m scared and nervous I’m having trouble allowing myself to let them even try. Even though it seems okay. But I can’t tell what Lucy is gonna do. All the “tell tale signs of fighting” Lucy doesn’t do. She just acts like nothing is about to happen. I’ve even noticed that sometimes Rigby will keep her distance when they have dates, but always wants to be around Lucy, you can tell that too. What happens if they actually do okay together? And after time they are put together and then while I’m at work all hell breaks loose? I’m honestly terrified.

I’ve tried, switching them between sides, but Rigby didn’t like the change of litterbox placement and peed everywhere. And she’s bad with her box as it is. So I’ve been switching their second level mats and toys. I’ve even caught them playing with a toy back and forth through the bars, and grooming the same bear at the same time.

You can also view our Instagram where I update a lot of their progress and pictures.

I didn’t know how to upload pictures as mine were too big, so I made them links. I hope they work.

[Sarita]

Have you done any car rides as stress bonding?

[irawful]

Rigby has been back and forth to the vet that they no longer bother her. And Lucy is pretty okay with car rides too. I don’t think it’ll work well.

I also don’t drive, so I have to wait for someone who is willing to do it with me. I wanna try it still though, just isn’t much of an option right now.

[Cristina]

I’ve had a similar issue trying to bond my two boys Toby and Gus. They play through their cages, groom and even lay beside each other. I had one bad day with them, when poor Gus’s hair went flying. =/ And I’ve been very reluctant to let them play together since. Your case was much more extreme. To be honest, if I were you I’d keep your cage set up the way you have it. I think as parents, sometimes we have the “can’t everyone just get along” syndrome. And the truth is, no not always. I think it’s good for them to have their seperate space. But you also want them to be able to play together. Totally understandable! If it were me, I’d leave the cage situation the same, so they each have their own place to retreat to and call their own. We all, no matter how social we are, like our own “me” time. Buns are no different. I think play time together is perfectly okay though, especially since they are doing well being side by side. Supervised of course! That way you get a happy medium that will make all 3 of you happy, and will hopefully keep from any more scary events and costly vet trips!

[Elrohwen]

So you’re only having short bonding sessions right now? I would try gradually increasing the time you do these sessions to allow them to get comfortable with each other. Something like a car ride or other stress will help. Keep the sessions in a neutral area, like a bathtub. If they scuffle, don’t send them back to their cages! Separate briefly, then put them back together (I prefer stressing in a laundry basket at this point), then give them a little more time together. You want to end the sessions on a calm note, not while they’re tense or they’ll learn that fighting is a good way to get rid of the other bun.

[Author]

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