Pre-Bonding Questions

[Miles and Me]

 I’m away from the house for 5-8 hours a day, at least, for work.  More if I go out and do stuff.  My dog and cat won’t hang out with Miles if I’m not around.  He’s very attached to me.  Would it be safe for me to assume he’d be happier with a bunny friend?  

 

I found one at a local animal resuce that I love from her picture and description (http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19729246) but I haven’t gone to meet her yet.  I’m trying to set up a time next week.  I’m hoping to bring Miles along to make sure they don’t hate each other… I wouldn’t want to get attached and then be sad that he likes a different bunny!

 

I’m wondering how to go about introducing him to Miss Fancy Pants.  I’m not sure if she’s in a foster situation or a shelter.  Should I bring him in a carrier, leave him in there, and let her check him out?  Should I bring some wire fencing to make a barrier where they can be on the same level and meet each other without one being trapped in a carrier?  I’ve read and re-read the bunny info page on bonding and I’m just not sure what to do in this situation!

[Monkeybun]

When I initially took Monkey to meet bunnies, they were put together, out of carriers, no barriers, in a neutral place. Bring heavy gloves just in case

[Miles and Me]

Sounds good to me!

[Sarita]

It sounds like she’s sheltered at a rabbit rescue and they should have experience in helping with the dating process so they will guide you in what to do. Keep an open mind though and allow him to meet any other potential girlfriends that they may have available.

[Miles and Me]

I’m definitely open to others! I just don’t want to even bring him near any giant rabbits because I don’t have room I figure he’d fall in love with the biggest rabbit there at first sight, lol

Now that I’m getting ready to go take Miles speed dating, I’m wondering what I can do to prepare to bring home a new bunny. I only have one room where they can spend most of their time, and it’s definitely Miles’. It has wall-to-wall carpeting, so I figure I can vacuum. I’m going to change all the litterboxes and get new ones just for the new bunny’s space. I was thinking of getting some sort of tarp or something to put on the floor so there’s no distinct Miles smell from the carpet. I cleaned the carpet three weeks ago when he was off at the vet’s getting neutered, but I rarely have several hours to clean it and let it dry, so that will have to wait.

[Elrohwen]

It’s not super important how you set up their cages – having the other bunny’s smell around will help them get used to one another. The most important thing is having a neutral space to do the bonding in, like a bathtub or hallway that Miles hasn’t been in.

[Miles and Me]

Thanks Elrohwen… But unfortunately the date didn’t go very well! Fancy and Miles were both let into the pen at the same time. After about 30 seconds after Miles hopped around the pen where they were meeting, they touched noses, went separate ways, and then she came back to him and started humping. This happened twice and we thought, okay, not necessarily a bad thing, but after they separated she lunged at him and bit him in the face! The woman from the rescue said it seemed like a deliberate attack and not a nip, so we ended their date there. The search continues!

[Elrohwen]

Aww, that’s too bad! Those females can be tough – seems like they’re often the ones starting trouble in new bonds.

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