Introducing new baby bunny to 1+ year old bunny

[Soulllfullll]

Hi guys,

Four days ago I brought home a female 2 month old holland lop home to accompany my 1+ year male old Netherland dwarf after he lost his friend due to illness. I need to state that Junior the little boy does not have a mean bone in his body and in fact though I’ve had him for about a year, he still doesn’t let me hold him. He gets close enough to be fed but keeps distance and I respect his boundaries. He never had a problem with my other bunny whom passed away. Btw he’s neutered.
The little baby girl I brought home is the exact opposite character in terms of outgoing. She will run to my feet and LOVES being pet and held. She isn’t afraid of getting near me whatsoever.
I know that rabbits can be territorial so tue first time I introduced them was through a doggie fence. Unfortunately Junior tried to attack her and bite her through the fence. I was supervising the whole time and I understand it may take time for them to bond.
but I was hoping I could get some advice on what to do to make them bond better and wondering approx how long it takes? After all, I brought her only for him to have a companion.

[Wick & Fable]

So unfortunately, it is too soon to expect to be establishing firm building blocks for bonding. She needs to be spayed first and then one month after then (when hormones settle and she is recovered), you may then begin the bonding process, starting with short introductions in neutral territory: https://binkybunny.com/infocategory/bonding/

Presently, and for the next several months, you can house them side by side with a gap (to prevent injury across bars) and rotate their free roam time, but there should be no attempts to have them out together or have them meet directly. Her hormones are a very big facilitator of territorialness for both her and Junior, even if Junior is generally a docile boy (as you noticed).

Any positive relationship you may observe between them would be a “baby bond”, also known as the false bond. It is not the same as the bond in a bonded pair. Baby bonds come about because the younger rabbit is not yet hormonal so territorial, dominance, and mating urges are not in the way, creating relationship tension; however, the process of puberty and hormone emergence is invisible and unpredictable, so baby bonds are unstable and unfortunately there are many cases of owners reporting “My rabbits were so cuddly for months and all of the sudden they are fighting and hurting each other.” — At this point, it appears a baby bond isn’t even there, so all the more reason to keep the separation.

That being said, as long as the gap is there and they cannot get to each other, over time, her presence can be a positive stimulation for Junior during these months before her spay (at 6mo).

 

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.

[Soulllfullll]

Ohhh, I see, thank you so very much for your quick response!! In that case, until she gets spayed, I will continue to do what I’m doing. Sometimes I put her on the bed for like 10 min and let him come and sniff around her litter box area so he could I guess get familiar with her scent. Thanks again! Great help 🙂

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