Prebonding Male Rabbits After Neutering

[Moonlightbunny66]

When should I start prebonding my new male bunnies? They are getting neutered on August 12 and I will take them home a few days later. I have not been able to meet them yet because of quarantine. As far as I know, they have not been in contact. I think they may have been housed in the same room. Can someone tell me if I should start the prebonding (switching toys and items from their cages) a day after they’ve been here or should I wait a few weeks for the hormones to die down more? I don’t want to start the prebonding too early (more hormonal territorial problems) or too late (getting too territorial because the other rabbits scent hasn’t been in their cage). Thank you.

[HipHopBunny]

A few weeks after spay/neuter, hormones will still be floating around, and they will need some time to recover after the neuter. After 3-4 weeks, then I would say you could start pre-bonding. House them next to each other, so that they can see/smell/hear the other bun, but not close enough so that they can harm each other.

Here is a website that might help: https://binkybunny.com/infocategory/bonding/

You could also visit the RABBIT INFO where there are more stories, tricks, and tips on bonding, in the bonding section.

I wish you the very best of luck! 🙂

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thank you so much! I’ll wait those few weeks to start prebonding then. They will have to be housed next to each other a few inches apart as soon as they get here since it’s the space that I have. I don’t plan on letting them see each other for a while, I can put blankets over one pen while the other is out. Should I wait to let them see each other for when I start prebonding? Or a couple weeks before? They’re also going to share a playtime area. Thanks.

[HipHopBunny]

Sharing a playtime area is good, but not at the same time as the other one, right? For when you officially do start bonding sessions, once you have mastered neutral territory, a place where neither bun has been before, the playtime area could work as semi-neutral-territory.

You could wait to let them see each other when for when you start pre-bonding but hearing and smelling the other one could help you a lot for when you start bonding, I have heard that one member on here got really lucky, and had an instant-bond, for letting their buns hear, smell and see each other. If you don’t want to let them see each other until you start pre-bonding, maybe you could cover only the side where they would be able to see each other?

 

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thanks! I’ll be switching who gets to be out and who gets to be in their pen. They won’t be playing at the same time until they are bonded. The shelter I’m getting them from also recommended not to let them see each other for at least a few days when they get here. To let them settle in I guess? I might wait a few days or a week before letting them see each other, not sure yet. :/ I’ll have to cover the pen of the bunny that isn’t out while the other one is playing. It’s hard to figure out what to do because of my weird situation. I haven’t found anyone who’s adopted two separate rabbits at the same time that are also getting neutered at the same time! Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[HipHopBunny]

Your plans all sound good to me. The shelter is probably right, for they will need some time to recover from neuter.  After 10 days, they should be healed from the surgery, and be able to see each other, but I would still wait 2 more weeks after that, cause they will still be hormonal.

Let us know how the neuter goes, and if you have any questions! I wish you the very best of luck! 🙂

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thank you so much! I will update. I have another question, since I’ve been watching videos and reading a lot about bunny bonding. Should I do a stress bond before the first bonding session? People say to put them in a carrier and drive them around in the car to make them cuddle together. Or, they put them on top of a running dryer. Then, put them together in a very small neutral space. I’m just nervous to make this their first contact. Since the first time they would meet face to face is being squished into a carrier together, I’m afraid they’d fight immediately. Thanks for your help!

[HipHopBunny]

I haven’t personally tried stress-bonding. Pre-bonding I think should cover it. During those ten days of recovery, I would not allow them to see each other, for it may stress them out, and you should also take it easy on them. The vet will most likely give you instructions, and a check-up call to help you. I would allow them to see each other, then after a week or two, you could do some pre-bonding. One trick that I use a lot that helps rabbits calm down is playing soft music, such as soft piano, or meditation.

Some people say to pre-bond for 3-4 weeks before starting sessions.  After pre-bonding for 3-4 weeks, they will have heard, seen, and smelled the other bun, so the other one won’t be new to them. Watch them closely during the session, it should go smoothly, for they are not near the other bun’s territory, and they are not causing any harm to each other if it doesn’t go smoothly (fighting, aggressive actions) then definitely take them out immediately and do some more pre-bonding. Sessions should occur as frequently as possible.

Good luck! 🙂

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thank you so much! You’ve helped a lot! I will use this plan and let you know how it works out. 🙂

[HipHopBunny]

🙂 I hope everything goes smoothly, and wish you the best of luck! 🙂

[DanaNM]

I agree with @HipHopBunny that after some pre-bonding you will have a better idea of what to try first. If you notice they are acting crazy towards each other before and right after neuter, it might help to put up a towel between them so they can calm down while their hormones settle down. They should be on cage rest anyway for about 2 weeks after neutering. Usually it takes 3-4 weeks for the hormones to drain, but some buns can take a bit longer, so you may need to gauge it off their behavior.

The most important thing for the first face to face meetings is that the space be very neutral, and prevent fighting! Being in a new location is stressful on it’s own. The added layer of a car ride etc. can be helpful, but I usually don’t do it for the very first meeting, and it’s not a hard and fast requirement.

With pre-bonding you will want to look for calm behavior around each other. They might still mark, but they shouldn’t be acting aggressive towards each other through the fence. You might also see some behaviors start to sync up (like grooming at the same time, eating, etc.). I like to feed veggies and pellets near each other on opposite sides of the fence so they get used to eating near the other bun and build a positive association during pre-bonding.

When you do finally get to your first session, I really like to use a lot of petting to keep everyone calm and swap scents, and it makes them think they are being groomed by the other bunny. Basically when they approach each other, just pet pet pet. This isn’t a technique you see promoted a lot in videos online, but was introduced to me by one of the lead bonders at the rescue I volunteer at. I’ve used it in my 3 most recent pairs, and it has been really great. Especially when you aren’t very familiar with the bonding process, it really helps prevent fighting and keep everything calm. 🙂

. . . 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.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thank you sooo much! I will definitely use your advice. I shouldn’t let them out of their pens to play for two weeks? Thanks for the help! 🙂

[HipHopBunny]

I agree with @DanaNM petting your buns should help them calm down, too. 🙂

I don’t think you should let them out of their pen for the first two weeks after neuter.

Good wishes to you! 🙂

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thank you to both of you for the help! I will ask more questions if I need to. 🙂

[Louiethebunny]

Just a heads up, you might need to further restrict your rabbits’ space if they get itchy and want to scratch their stitches, some rabbits try to scratch their healing area.

[DanaNM]

Our vet recommends two weeks, but double check with your vet, as some vets might be fine with a shorter period (and it may depend on the specific way the vet does the procedure). The main thing is preventing them from jumping up onto things!

. . . 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.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

Does that mean they can’t have a hidey house in their pens? They may jump on top. I’m not sure if they are going to give me the vet contact information but I can ask. They are getting neutered through the animal shelter they are coming from. The shelter is taking them to the vet and then letting me take them home the day after if they’re doing okay. Thank you.

[DanaNM]

Oh I see! And yes if they can jump on the hidey house I would take it out, at least for a couple days. They would probably appreciate a hiding spot though, so I wonder if you could give them a tunnel or something domed? Could maybe fashion a triangle shaped hide out of cardboard? That way they can hide but not jump on top?

. . . 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.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thank you so much! Great ideas. I’ll try to make something like that. 🙂

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