Lionhead & Dutch bonding

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This topic has 7sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 5 months ago by Haymish.

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- 09/17/2012 at 1:33 PM
  LoveMyLionhead
  Participant
  9 posts
  Hello, this is my first post ever here, so I hope it makes sense.
  
  I have a male Lionhead rabbit named Leo, he’s a little over a year old and I got him when he was just a baby. He was my first rabbit ever, so naturally I spoiled him rotten. I live in a two bedroom apartment, and he has his own room, and he has free roam of my apt while Im home. He’s used to being the only bunny in my life, so I wasn’t sure if I should get him a lady friend or not, but I felt bad that he was alone while I was at work so I gave in. Today I decided to finally go ahead and do it, I bought a beautiful female baby Dutch, and named her Lily. So far I’m not sure how Leo feels about her, I had him sniff her while she was in her cage, he tried nibbling her nose, and that worried me a little bit. How long should I wait to let them both out by eachother, and would it be a good idea to completely clean his room to get rid of scents? Any other suggestions?
- 09/17/2012 at 2:13 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  Hi and welcome!! First off, they are both altered right? If not, keep them away from each other 100%. Rabbits will get pregnant young and by the simple act of mating. I’m assuming your new girl isn’t since you said she was a baby youll need to get them both altered and recovered ( about 4 weeks) before you can introduce and start the bonding process
- 09/17/2012 at 2:39 PM
  LoveMyLionhead
  Participant
  9 posts
  Sorry totally forgot to mention Leo is neutered! Should I still wait since Lily isnt ?
- 09/17/2012 at 3:44 PM
  LoveMyLionhead
  Participant
  9 posts
  She is 11 weeks now. For now I should just play with them separately then?
- 09/17/2012 at 5:00 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  Hmmm. I’ve heard different opinions in this. On one side, she’s likely going to start to be hormonal in a 2-4 weeks. Having another bunny around can make good litter habits impossible, as she’ll be more likely to territorial mark. He could start doing that as well even neutered. But that aside, getting them used to seeing each other could have benefits as well.
- 09/17/2012 at 5:25 PM
  LoveMyLionhead
  Participant
  9 posts
  Thanks so much! One more thing..When you say get them used to seeing each other, does that mean while one of them is in a cage, or by actually letting them out by each other under supervision?
- 09/17/2012 at 6:11 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  I would keep a cage between them. If they fight it can really set back any possible bonding. You’ll also want your girl to bond with you a bit, and if he’s nipping at her while she’s a baby he probably won’t take kindly to her being free in his space
- 09/17/2012 at 8:12 PM
  Haymish
  Participant
  22 posts
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