Just throw ’em together

[TriBun]

 This might be a really stupid question, but… Is there anything wrong with just putting bunnies together?  

I’m going to be bunny-sitting my friend’s Holland lop while he’s out of town and I wanted to know if they would get along beforehand so I put them together.  There was no outward aggression and they’re in a room plenty big for the both of them.  Is there anything wrong with this?  They are always supervised (either by me or my son) and they mostly seem to do their own thing, but they are together all the time except when I go to bed.  My bunny, Rosy, is much more curious about Kevin and will run up to him and then run away.  Kevin just does his own thing and doesn’t seem to mind her.  

They might eventually be permanent roomates so I don’t want to ruin it by doing something wrong in the beginning.  Any thought?

 

 

 

[KatnipCrzy]

You can’t just put them together and hope that they will not eventually fight. And without proper bonding a fight will most likely occur and you could be facing vet bills for both bunnies. Better safe than allowing an accident to happen to someone else’s bunny.

[LoveChaCha]

I wouldn’t bond unless you intend to keep them together for the rest of their lives. Things may change with friends and breaking up a bonded pair of rabbits is heartbreaking to them.

[NaturalRabbit]

The problem with rabbits injuring each other (by just putting them together) is that the species as a whole is prone to infections and abscesses which can lead to huge vet bills and heartbreak. Abscesses sometimes even show up months after the wound has apparently healed. That is one of the main reasons it is done so cautiously. Rabbits also stress easily and it’s important to not reach the end of the “panic fuse” during bonding time.

[Monkeybun]

If you are just bunny sitting, definitely do not put them together. Bunnies can get very depressed and grieve if they lose their bonded mate, its mean to take one away

And buns can be very territorial, it is rare that 2 buns will instantly get along.

Also.. are either buns altered?

[TriBun]

 OK, I’ve seperated them.  I think I should clarify some things though.  First, Yes Monkeybun, Kevin is neutered.  Second, they will be together for the rest of their lives.  Really I was just waiting for Rosy to get spayed before bonding them properly.  I’m waiting for my friend to get back from vacation to get her spayed since he will need to keep Kevin while Rosy recovers from surgery.  After she recovers, I will take full custody of Kevin.

Should I just wait then?

[Stickerbunny]

I would wait, there is no rush to bond them and with her hormones if she gets a moody day it could cause a fight which would set their bonding back. Even if they get along together I wouldn’t trust them all the time together for a bit, it’s like kids who go on a few dates and get along GREAT then they move into together and find out he doesn’t put the toilet seat down and she leaves her stockings on the shower rod… fights are bound to happen. Let them develop a deep friendship before you move them in together once she’s healed from her spay. Plus, if her bond mate disappears while she’s healing up it would be added stress to an already stressful recovery.

[LoveChaCha]

Thank you for the clarification

Well, I would wait until after the spay is done, and her hormones settle down. It can take about a month for the darn hormones (yes I said it LOL) to settle and then begin the bonding process.

[Monkeybun]

Definitely wait until Rosy is spayed, it will make it much easier on everybody involved

[TriBun]

 OK, thanks for the advice guys.  I’m learning lots.

[Author]

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