I don’t want my bunnies to bond…

[jaclyn]

I foster rabbits, and am about to get a new addition because my first foster bunny is about to get adopted. 
I know rabbits are supposed to be kept in pairs, but I feel like they will get bonded if I do that. I could keep rabbits in seperate pens if that would keep them from being bonded but would also keep them happy. I could also get three so they don’t super bonded to just one rabbit. Would that work? If neither of those are good ideas, does anyone else have ideas? Of course I could just do one rabbit. I just want them to be happy.

[Deleted User]

Bonding is actually a long and complicated process. It requires prebonding, dates on neutral territory, semi-neutral territory, and eventually being able to be in their permanent enclosure for over 24 hours without any squabbles. So your foster bunnies won’t bond. They shouldn’t be in the same pen together at all unless they are going through the bonding process or are an already bonded pair. So if you foster two separate buns, they need to remain as such at all times. It’s not like a dog or a cat where you can just put them together. If you do that with bunnies, they could seriously harm each other, and if they aren’t fixed could make accidental babies.
In short, they will not bond unless they go through the proper process, and they should never be kept in the same cage together or even let out together unless they are an existing bonded pair.

[Sirius&Luna]

I’m a bit confused by your question. Like A&B says, rabbits very rarely just bond of their own accord, and unbonded bunnies should always be kept separate.

Do you have your own bunny and you’re fostering a new one and you don’t want them to bond? Or you’re fostering two new ones?

Basically, if they come as a pair keep them as a pair, if they come as singles, always keep them separated.

[sarahthegemini]

Rabbits can’t just be put together. They’re either bonded for life or separate.
If you don’t want your rabbits to bond then simply keep them separate and don’t do bonding sessions. They are happier in pairs, but you can’t bond them and then split them up.

[jaclyn]

Okay, thank you guys! Siruis&Luna, I’m getting foster bunnies, I do not own one. What if I bonded 3 rabbits? When they are split up, would they be sad since they aren’t just bonded to one other rabbit? I just don’t want them to be lonely. Could I let them play together under strict supervision? I’m sorry if these questions are dumb, I just want the best for them!

[jaclyn]

Okay, thank you guys! Siruis&Luna, I’m getting foster bunnies, I do not own one. What if I bonded 3 rabbits? When they are split up, would they be sad since they aren’t just bonded to one other rabbit? I just don’t want them to be lonely. Could I let them play together under strict supervision? I’m sorry if these questions are dumb, I just want the best for them!

[Deleted User]

No playing together at all. Even if it is strict supervision. Fights can break out in the blink of an eye, which is a lot of the reason why the bonding process is so stressful. You’d have to be right with them on the floor constantly. making sure there’s no nipping, biting, boxing, chasing, lunging, or humping.  Especially with foster bunnies, there are just too many variables to allow them to even play together. You don’t know how aggressive or territorial another bunny will be. Some bunnies are extremely territorial and will lunge at your arm if you smell like another bunny. you also might not know for certain if all bunnies are spayed/neutered. some members on here have adopted fixed bunnies, only to find out they are still fully intact. And hormonal bunnies do not mesh well together. if you decide to bond your foster bunnies, they will have to go to their new home as a bonded pair/trio. It is never okay to separate any type of bond as it can lead to depression and stasis. If you’re giving them ample attention they should not feel lonely, and wherever they end up they could remain a single bunny forever anyways.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By jaclyn on 2/28/2018 11:53 AM

Okay, thank you guys! Siruis&Luna, I’m getting foster bunnies, I do not own one. What if I bonded 3 rabbits? When they are split up, would they be sad since they aren’t just bonded to one other rabbit? I just don’t want them to be lonely. Could I let them play together under strict supervision? I’m sorry if these questions are dumb, I just want the best for them!

Again, you can’t bond rabbits and then split them up.

[Sirius&Luna]

Bonding is a long process, that when done properly, takes upwards of two months. It is a big commitment, and you also need to commit to keeping the rabbits together for the rest of their lives.

Unbonded bunnies cannot play together, or spend time together, as they are likely to fight. often viciously causing injuries that need vet attention.

If you do go through the bonding process with these bunnies, it would be very very unfair to split them up afterwards. It would make them much sadder than always being alone would. Some bunnies stop eating from sadness when their bonded partner dies.

If they are foster bunnies, I’m sure the rescue has plans for bonding them/will let them go to a home with another single rabbit, so that they won’t be alone forever.

[Author]

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