So we have been trying to bond Chaos and Nachos for about 6 months no. We’ve had issues bonding due to Chaos arthritis and getting his pain managrment under control and Nachos sever anxiety as she’s really easily spooked. We had to seperate their cages and hold off on bonding as Chaos got conjunctivitis at the start of the month but we’ve just been signed off from the vet as all clear and have returned her cage to beside his, switching litter and bedding and bonding sessions.
We’re doing them in a small boxed off space in a neutral space, aiming to increase the size of the enclosure when there are more positive signs. Are there any things I can do to increase the success? We’ve had mixed results in the past, as Chaos thumps his feet as soon as she’s near him and will actively try and avoid her. But towards the end of the session Nachos will lick Chaos eyes, although he only let’s her do a small amount of grooming. I’ve put a small plate of veg and hay on with them (Chaos hog’s it while Nachos watches him, glaring at the food and waits for him to finish), a blanket (Nachos liked digging in it) and some toys which they show no interest in. I’ve read I shouldn’t put a litter tray in as it will be used to mark territory. I also spray both rabbits with pet remedy, as Nachos gets scared going into different new areas and will just sit there working herself up otherwise.
When I have 1 rabbit out and one in, I’ve seen positive signs. Chaos usually doesn’t care about Nachos and just leaves her to it, not bothered that she’s pulling hay out of his cage. He’s now starting to sniff her, and she is starting to lie down near him. Nachos has a really bad wee problem when she’s out, loves going infront of his cage (like every 5 mins we have an ‘accident’) but recently this has dramatically decreased, although she still poo’s everywhere. While Nachos used to be incredibly territorial when locked in her cage and would grunt and lunge at Chaos when he was within a foot and a half of her cage. Now she’s not as bad, she does lunge if he’s right beside her cage.
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