Minimal chasing after bonding

[khushi2020]

I believe I have bonded my two bunnies Khushi and Yujin. They seem to be getting along, however I witnessed two different squabbles. One was Khushi circling/chasing Yujin then Yujin proceeded to humping Khushi’s face. I hadn’t seem that behavior since they first met each other. It happened once and hasn’t happened since.

Just this morning I saw Khushi circling Yujin, and I stopped it.

These are really just 2 instances of circling, does this mean they are not fully bonded yet?

 

 

[DanaNM]

It sounds like they are not quite there, but probably close. By circling do you mean tight circling (both buns head to tail), or one bunny running in circles around the other? The rule of thumb is 48 hours with no aggressive behaviors requiring intervention. Bonded pairs will sometimes do some mounting, but if it turns to a scuffle/chase/circling without you intervening then they aren’t bonded yet.

Did you recently move them to a new location? Sometimes there will be little flair ups when you move them to less neutral spots, so they just need supervision for a bit in each territory.

. . . 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.  

[khushi2020]

Hi Dana

When circling I mean they are running/chasing each other head to tail. I haven’t moved them to a new location, it’s still the same location as where they were bonded, they have been there for about a week so far. Between the first incident and the one this morning it was over 48 hours, so it was a bit surprising to see….

I was planning on keeping them in the pen until the weekend to see if there are any flair ups if not then I can let them free roam together.

 

 

 

 

 

[DanaNM]

Gotcha! Yeah that kind of circling means they aren’t quite there yet. Freshly forming bonds can be a bit tense at times. Are you seeing positive behaviors from them as well, like cuddling and grooming?

Sometimes I think they get a bit anxious and bored in the small bonding spaces. You might experiment with giving them a bit more space part of the day and see how it goes.

. . . 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.  

[khushi2020]

Hey Dana

I have seen Khushi actively flop right in front of Yujin and also Yujin grooming Khushi. They do well with sharing a food dish and the litter box together.

Since the incident they went 5 days without any squabbles. I have let them start free roaming and they are doing really well. Yujin follows Khushi around exploring all the new places he hasn’t been before. They like to take synchronized naps together under the dining table and seem fully bonded.

 

[DanaNM]

That’s wonderful!  Congrats!

. . . 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.  

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