Rebonding and Moving

[feireia]

Hi! I posted a little while ago about bonding my two and they bonded successfully when they were boarded for a few days while I was out of town. When I brought my two home, I found out my girl, Nova (2 y.o., F), fractured her jaw somehow and had to be separated from my boy, Pekoe (2.5 y.o., M), while she healed because she was on a Critical Care-only diet. Three months later, Nova’s jaw has healed fairly well and she has the green light to be back on her regular diet of hay and pellets. In the time she was healing, she was housed next to Pekoe with a couple inches between her enclosure and Pekoe’s, close enough to smell each other but not close enough to fight.

I’m starting the pre-bonding process again by switching litter boxes and enclosures, but will also be moving in about a month. I’m looking for some feedback on about my current bonding plan and any helpful advice. Since I will be moving to a new place in a month, I’m hoping to stick with pre-bonding until they move. When we’re in our new place, I plan to start marathon bonding. Should I be doing more intensive pre-bonding until that point? Am I too optimistic that pre-bonding with no short dates is enough to rebond Nova and Pekoe? TIA!

[DanaNM]

I think if you have time to marathon in your new place, that sounds like a fine plan. I think doing side swaps every day or two sounds fine in terms of pre-bonding. Since they bonded relatively easily the first time (I think?) and never had a falling out really, you might find they re-bond very easily!

How do they behave towards each other through the fence?

 

. . . 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.  

[feireia]

Yeah, it sounded like being in a new place with unfamiliar people helped them bond very quickly. Through the fence with enough space to not touch, they’ll sniff each other and relax against the bars in their enclosures. When they are close enough to touch (bump noses at most), they tend to grunt and will try to fight. I’ve even seem them try to box each other, but this behavior was the same as the first time I tried bonding them so it’s nothing new.

Pekoe hopped his enclosure this morning into Nova’s enclosure and a bunny tornado ensued. I was still in bed when this happened so it took me a bit to get up and break it up, but no injuries on either bun seen, just bits of fur pulled. Hoping that doesn’t set us back too much. They’re still curious about each other through the bars, granted there is enough space between their enclosures to prevent touching.

[DanaNM]

Aww that’s a bummer about the fight, but good thing you were home. These things can happen sometimes.

You might opt to do a few short sessions (especially some stressing) before you move, just to give you a better idea of how things might go. Maybe some car rides together?

. . . 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.  

[feireia]

Sounds likes a good idea. Thanks for the advice!

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