Separate housing but same play area

[Lemski]

I think I know the answer to this question but asking it anyways. I’m getting ready to get my bun a friend. The rescue we got her from doesn’t have any good potentials now but another rescue will let me try a male but we have to pay the adoption fee ($50- my husband said go for it). Can I house them separate and let them out for play time at the same time like after or before bonding sessions? Or do they need to be let out separate? Has anyone housed their buns in the same room together as the original bun? I can move them to a “neutral room” but not sure how I will let them out for exercise since the living room is bun proof. Will that cause fighting and ruin the bond?

[HipHopBunny]

Hi @Skybun

No, they should not be in the same play area at the same time. They can both go in at different times, but if they are in it together there could be fights. The play area could be considered ‘semi-neutral territory’, which you could do bonding sessions in after they have done good in neutral territory for a while. Buns are very territorial, so neutral territory is for the best to start with, even if it means less space.

They should be housed next to each other so that they can see, smell, and hear the other bun, but far enough away so that they cannot harm the other one. It is very recommended to do pre-bonding, which is switching toys, litter boxes, etc, it can help the buns get used to the other one’s smell. After around 3-4 weeks of pre-bonding, then you could start bonding sessions in neutral territory.

Wishing you the best of luck! 🙂

[Lemski]

Thank you! I didn’t think so but was hoping haha so much bun has escaped the living room and been in our spare room which I was thinking of having the neutral area. Will that still work even if she has been in it before?

[Wick & Fable]

I would not allow them out in the free-roam space at the same time until much later in the bonding process. It is highly recommended that you do not try letting them loose in a territory-ripe free-roam space until they can get along well long-term in a neutral space (probably a bathroom). They will need to take turns in the common space. Essentially, your rabbit has played in that area for a long time, thus it is “hers”. She knows that, and upon entering your home, the other rabbit will know that. There will likely be a lot of chasing and territorial aggression if he is introduced into her territory prematurely. It is actually advised to try and “neutralize” your home as best you can prior to bringing another rabbit home, to try and ease things during bonding (though their sense of smell is so good, so I’ve wondered about the true effectiveness of trying).

In short, separate free-roam time is best.

In terms of housing the two buns in the same room as the original bun, it can be inevitable as a result of having a single free-roam bun who essentially owns all the territory. You want to be mindful and understanding if either rabbit is on edge and attempts to attack each other through any cage bars, so it’s important to implement appropriate gaps and distance barriers so that doesn’t happen.

I’ll also add that, because there can be a lot of stress for a rabbit to move into a new home, in addition to the added stress/interaction of knowing another rabbit is there, it is worth not starting bonding immediately and letting the rabbit settle in and get comfortable with the environment, I think.

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.

[Louiethebunny]

Definitely allow some settle-in time, where both rabbits can just adjust to their new setup, forcing them into bonding sessions right away can cause to much stress. Some pre-bonding can also help the bonding process, things like switching xpens, sharing toys, etc.

[DanaNM]

@Skybun  To answer your question about whether the spare room is considered neutral, if your current bun has only darted in there briefly, it is probably pretty neutral. But if she is in there regularly then no. Sometimes even being within smelling range of the home turf is enough to make it not neutral. It would help to do your best to neutralize the smell of the room and potentially disguise it a bit. So you could sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and then vacuum, wipe down hard surfaces with vinegar, and then even put a clean unfamiliar blanket or tarp down on the floor. If you cut her off from even seeing that area now, that will also help.

If you try it and things immediately don’t go well, it might be good to try a different space, or disguise it more.

. . . 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.  

[Lemski]

She has just darted in there a few times. Should I set the pens up in the neutral room or can I house them where she is now (side by side) and let him setting in?

[pinkiemarie]

Give him a couple days to settle in if he needs it. Moving van be a lot of stress. My Clover just wanted to hide for her entire first week. Of course your mileage may vary and he might settle in faster! Anyhow you can probably still house them side by side while he settles, as long as he has a safe place to hide if he’s afraid.

[DanaNM]

That sounds like it would be ok then. Set the new bun up near your current bun, not in the neutral spot. Save the neutral spot for the actual bonding sessions. 🙂

. . . 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.  

[Lemski]

Thank you! That is what I was planning on doing then starting questioning it. I

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