Is bonding really that hard?

[Enh98]

Hi all! Hoping to get some honest feedback about everyone’s experiences with bonding. Here’s tr situation. We have Remi, a one-year-old holland lop who was neutered about a month ago. We found him in our backyard, along with a black and white lop. They did not appear to be bonded although it is hard to know for sure. We found the black and white rabbit first, had him neutered, and found what we thought was he perfect home for him. Then three weeks later we found Remi and also had him neutered. Now, the people who took the first rabbit need to find him a new home. Apparently their son is allergic to him. So my question is, how hard will it be to bond two neutered males? Both are very sweet and social. I know bunnies are happy in pairs and I don’t kind taking on the care and expense of a second rabbit. What I do care about is needing to devote a lot of stress and hours to a slow and careful bonding process. I have two small children – a 4 year old and a 4 month old – two dogs and Remi, of course. We are very busy giving our current animals care and attention. When I read some of the bonding stories it seems like a very lengthy, involved process. Then other people seem to have a much easier time. Just looking for some feedback – I hate to see the first bunny end up as a classroom pet (she mentioned her son’s old preschool had them as classroom pets so she was thinking of contacting them for help), or in a home where he won’t be cared for properly or in a shelter.

[Enh98]

Sorry for the typos, using my phone to write this!

[Chronicambitions]

It’s just like you said, some rabbits are a lot harder to bond than others. Some bunnies just don’t like sharing their space but will get along just fine in an area that they don’t think of as theirs.

Also would like to mention that theres a good chance the son isn’t actually allergic to the bunny, but is actually allergic to Timothy hay. Switching to a different type of hay might mean that they’re able to keep the bunny.

[ScampersMom]

I have heard a lot of people have good luck with orchard grass as far as allergies go. There are also hay cubes. I have used these and still do when I want to hide a treat around the house or take the bunnies somewhere.

My boning story is a long stressful one so I am no help there. But, I can say it was worth it.

[mia]

If there is no rush, have Remi meet with the other bun in a neutral area and see how it goes first. From that meeting, you should get an idea if bonding will go well and/or if it’s even a good thing to have them together. If you have more time, have multiple meetings whether is across different days or in the same day.

[Enh98]

What behaviors should I look for that indicate things going well? General indifference? Some grooming? What would be signs that its not a good match?

[NewBunnyOwner123]

It really does depend. I got lucky with my two. It was almost love at first sight lounging next to each other, flopped out on their first date. Moved in together two days later. Whereas others can take weeks to months to bond!

[Troller]

I’m one of those folks allergic to the hay. The only thing I actually do have an allergy to (great way to find out) but its minor and I persevere through drugs and stubborn love. I hear hay cubes have less of an allergic affect though the cubes don’t prove to be as dental healthy for the rabbits since there’s no long strands for the molars to work on.

Now on to bonding. Some do have difficutlies, some don’t. That’s just the way it is with these wonderful mecurial creatures. People always counsel making it as easy as possible, thus finding a mate through speed dates at rescues and pairing male/female.

Know that you’re already suffering sole cons by not letting them pick and both being male. Doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t happen, or that it will be tough, just means statistically your odds are a little worse.

For my buns who I’m still bonding, they are male and female however I couldn’t go the rescue route and they couldn’t choose each other. I’m 4 months in and while progress is being made, there has been one injury necessitating a vet visit and a few fights so I’m a hairs breath away from calling off the bonding attempt.

My advice if you should go the route is have a back up plan for failure. My plan is that I’ll have two seperately dwelling rabbits so for me its not a big deal. Have a strong amount of patience because it may take time, a lot of it. Be stubborn because there might be quite a few setbacks along the way. Be aloof because at times you might have to let a bit of bullying happen so they can establish a pecking order and someone might get hurt in the process. Lastly be compassionate, which is to say know when its time to call it quits because it might not be meant to work out and if you force it you might succede but at what cost.

Dont let me scare you however, while some aspects of bonding have sucked for me I’ve really enjoyed my time working with my rabbits as a group and have no regrets come what may.

[kristin211]

Hey troller, my bunnies both got loose and got into a fight.. Winston was bit on the ear and Ginny on her scruff behind her head. Both are fine and its still very early. Only been a week. Do you mind sharing your story? I’m upset that it might have ruined things but they were doing so well before the fight… :/

[Monkeybun]

Orchard grass or oat hay are much better for allergies. Trust me

For bonding, 2 neutered boys can do well, but it really does depend on the bunnies, just like with any bond. My 2 didn’t get along, but my Moose seems to want to be a bachelor boy. My 2 girls bonded great though So it really does vary!

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