Rebonding Previous Companions

[Lexisklein]

Earlier this year I got my first Netherland Dwarf named Ike. He was instantly super curious and friendly, and bonded with me and my roommate immediately. Since we were at college and work most of the day, after about a month we decided to get a second rabbit named Dobby. We chose a second male Netherland Dwarf about month younger, and when we introduced them they bonded immediately with Ike being the dominant one. They stayed bonded for a few months, Dobby becoming double Ike’s size but still submissive. Ike reached puberty and Dobby had not, before they had to be separated for a week during spring break. When we brought them back together, Dobby had hit puberty and when we brought Ike to see him they were fine for a bit with aggressive sniffing, and then started fighting. We decided to separate them, in separate cages but in the same room, until they were fixed. There were moments of territorial aggressive behavior between the cages, but often they later near wagon hers cages. This lasted a few more months until I got them fixed almost three weeks ago. All past territorial behavior has ceased in their shared space, neither rub on things anymore or poop or spray near each other cages, and they sniff just fine through the bars. I want advice on if they will be able to be reintroduced since the fight, and if I should follow the traditional bonding steps.

[Pomandcourt]

My bonded pair fought when I first brought them home because they were in a new environment. I separated them for a few hours and they were able to go right back together. So I wouldn’t worry about Ike and Dobby’s fight unless it was especially gory.

Because it’s been so long and they’ve both been desexed since they were bonded. I would introduce them in a neutral space to see how they react. If they start fighting, try separating them by making loud noises (clapping loudly or banging a pot) and only if that doesn’t work, physically intervening. You may be lucky and they’ll get along right away, you may have to go through the whole bonding process again. It’ll depend on how your buns react to one another. Hopefully they get along at first, but if not, the bonding should go a bit quicker this time. (Again, assuming their earlier fights weren’t too deadly.)

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