Ophelia & Sven

[TheDuchess]

As some of you may have seen from Insta, I’ve finally gotten moved into the new house and got my buns back! I’ve been away from Ophelia since October 2 and I’ve missed her like mad!

I set them up in the room yesterday afternoon and they have had zero problems. Ophelia tried to mount Sven once, but he just flattened out and took it like a champ. I’m curious though, they aren’t really snuggling much or grooming each other much? Overall they seem very comfortable with each other. I expected at least a few minor scuffles overnight but they’ve been perfect angels. Should I take them for a car ride or something to get them to start seeming more “together”?

[sarahthegemini]

I suspect that Sven might be a bit nervous so I probably wouldn’t opt for a car ride yet. I remember when I first put P and B in their main living quarters, they were so excited that they didn’t groom each other as much because they were busy exploring! They did snuggle though. I would probably give it a day or two and see what’s going on then

[TheDuchess]

Sven definitely needs some time to warm up to me lol.

I’m hesistant on what I should do by tomorrow though. I have to go to work and I’ll be gone majority of the day. I don’t know whether I should put one in an xpen in the room or leave them in the room alone? I guess I just don’t really consider them bonded because they only snuggle and groom occasionally. Does anyone think it is ok to leave them together if they don’t have any incidents today either?

[sarahthegemini]

I personally wouldn’t want to leave them together unless I was 110% sure so I would probably split them tomorrow while you’re at work. They’d probably be okay but I’m a worrier!

[jerseygirl]

Bonded pairs don’t always groom or show what we see as affection. One of our former forum leaders (Sarita) had a mother/son Dutch pair for may years and she said then never groomed etc. Just sat by one another.

Also, what happens in bonding can change over time. You might have one that groomed the other a lot during the bonding period, but later on rarely groomed their mate. And sometimes you’ll see more grooming and snuggling later on after theyve lived together for months.

So how many days is it they’ve been together now, without separation? If there is not tension and they are moving in and out of each others personal space without triggering any tension, I’d be inclined to leave them together. It’s a leap of faith. My big tell with a pairing is when one literally runs over the others head, or maybe nudges the butt and the other bun just lays there, barely batting an eyelid. Then I know they’re going to be okay. The trust is there.

For your own peace of mind, you could add something like a box that only one at a time could fit up on top. So it there was some chasing or persistant mounting, the “harrassed” bun could go up there for an escape. *If* you did something like that, I’d just recommend putting item in well in advance so you can be confident that itself wont cause any upset. ie. if one bun feels territorial over the new item. You’d also want to place it so it doesnt became a launching point to jump out of the pen.

If you don’t feel confident, it probably wouldn’t cause any great set back to separate them for the day. Preferably in 2 pens side by side if possible. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m no help with bonding but just want to say “Congrats!” on the new bun!

[TheDuchess]

It’s been a really busy weekend trying to get everything moved from the apartment to the new house. On Sunday, I planned to unpack….but instead I decided to tell the stress and anxiety “SCREW YOU” and I decorated the outside of the house for Halloween instead Decorating is such a comfort of mine.

Luckily Ophelia and Sven are getting along just so wonderfully. @Jerseygirl, they met at the rescue on Saturday 10/6 and they’ve spent all their time together since then. I was outside hanging lights and decorations all day yesterday and every time I checked on them, they were just chilling out. I honestly expected at least SOME scuffling, but they’ve been perfect angels. Every time I hear a noise I come barreling down the hallway expecting to see fur flying and they just look at me like I’m a crazy lady XD They both will groom each other for short periods but nothing extravagant, and they do snuggle, but most of the time they are just sitting apart in one corner of the room. I haven’t seen any more mounting attempts from Ophelia, and if she has tried then Sven must just be letting her. I haven’t found any tuft of fur around to point to her mounting though.

So I just left them together in the room today while I’m at work. They seem so comfortable around each other, so I’m getting more and more confident that they’ll be fine. Sven will even zoom past Ophelia or go bum sniffing and she just ignores it. It’s like she’s a totally different version of the meanie Ophelia that I know! Even at the rescue, Sven was obviously a bit nervous but Ophelia was all sprawled out and super calm. I’m glad to see her finally chilling out and being comfortable, rather than her usual high-stress self

[DanaNM]

Wonderful! Congrats to you and the happy couple!

. . . 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.  

[jerseygirl]

Yes, they sound like a couple!

Almost 10 days together without separation. : )
It sounds as if the new place hadn’t caused any set back with them either.

p.s. I edited my post above as I realised I’d written “Bonded pairs don’t groom or show what we see as affection” oops! I’d meant they don’t always groom each other etc.

[sarahthegemini]

Aw I’m so happy to hear this! Wooo! I’m really so, so pleased ?

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