Should i bond them with another bun?

[OnyxMoon]

So i have an issue. My rabbit Onyx (neutered two weeks ago), does not get along very well with our other two rabbits that live here. 

The two rabbits are a bonded pair, Pumpkin and Benson, and he gets along OK with Pumpkin (spayed three weeks ago) and does not get along at all with Benson (neutered two years ago). 

My question is, should i get another rabbit to be Onyx’s partner or should i keep trying with Benson&Pumpkin? I’ve been wanting to get another, but I’m not entirely sure if i should risk them not getting along in the end. I need advice! 

[LBJ10]

Since it’s only been 2 weeks, I would wait a bit before making any decisions. Once the hormones have completely left his system, you may find that everyone is more receptive to the idea of being friends. You can always look into getting him a different friend if things don’t work out.

[OnyxMoon]

That’s what I’ve been thinking and reading, just needed to hear more conformation i guess! 

I’ll update this post in a couple weeks or if anything has changed! Thanks so much for the quick response!!

[Deleted User]

I also have to mention that you can’t just simply put them together (as it sounds like that’s what you did to determine that they don’t get along?). Hormonal bunnies do not get along because all they want to do is fight and breed. Also, keep your male away from the female as males can still impregnate up to a month after neutering. A very important step in the bonding process is prebonding. Bunnies aren’t like dogs and cats and don’t just be friends with other bunnies. It is a long process. You can’t just simply let them out for play time. You need to let all your recently fixed buns heal for 1-2 months and let hormones drain, and during that time you need to prebond and let them get used to each other’s scents. This means switching their litter boxes between their separate enclosures and even changing them between enclosures. After a month of this you can start short 10 minute sessions in a neutral area and increase them based on their reactions to each other.

[OnyxMoon]

No, i didn’t just put them together. Our female was spayed before my male was even neutered. Our other male was neutered 2+ years ago, and liked him just fine before neutering. We introduced our female to the two (pre-spay), and the neutered male became jealous/territorial of her and started disliking Onyx (pre-neuter).

We determined they didn’t get along because before anyone was altered (with the exception of Benson, the one who was neutered two years ago) they met and liked each other at first. He loafed next to Onyx, Onyx calmly sat next to Benson. But as a trio, Benson is territorial of Pumpkin. We cant exactly exchange trays because they are free roaming. I’m still trying to learn about bonding, so please be patient with me. 

Onyx humps still, probably due to hormones, so we have halted the bonding process for now as i wasnt told that was even a thing by the shelter i got him from.

[Deleted User]

Just checking you can never tell things like that sometimes in the original post, unless you make sure. I feel like so many people are uneducated about bonding bunnies, including vets and shelters. It’s good though that you’re asking for help. Good luck with them

[OnyxMoon]

I feel the exact way! None of the shelters i went to said anything about bonding or the process of, so i greatly appreciate any advice as i want the very best experiences for all of my buns! Im still very open to any advice or tips! ❤

[Deleted User]

The main thing I really can’t stress enough is the prebonding. Whether you adopt another bun or try to do a trio, prebonding helps all the buns involved get used to each others’ scents. It helps during the face-to-face encounters because they will already kinda “know” the other bun through scent. Starting out with short sessions is also best because it cuts out a lot of stress for you and the buns with only a short meeting. You always want to end on a neutral to positive tone. Grooming, ignoring, flopping together, all of those signs are how you want to end the session. Try not to end it on any fur pulling, chasing, or nipping. Space is an issue people flip flop on. Some people have great results when they use a limited space, like an x-pen or a bathtub. Other people have had better results with more space. That depends on the buns’ personalities. Either way, make sure it is completely neutral territory.

I know it’s a lot, but I hope it helps

[OnyxMoon]

How short do you suggest the sessions be? Also, do you suggest having the sessions involve all three bunnies or just a pair at a time and then move onto all three?

I put the brakes on the bonding sessions for now, just until their hormones drain completely as advised, and hopefully in another couple weeks or a month we can begin the pre-bonding with litter tray swaps and different things like that!

I also heard that having a stuffed animal or object with each rabbit and then switching them after a couple days once they have their scents on them could help, what do you think of that idea? Or something like it? 

[Deleted User]

I think a stuffie is a great idea I’d also start with 5-10 minute sessions and see how it goes.

Sirius & Luna is currently trying to bond a trio. It could be helpful to read it. Mikey has also bonded a trio before, so he might be able to give better advice on that than me. Here’s the link to her thread https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/165467/Default.aspx

[OnyxMoon]

Oh yeah, i did see her thread earlier and was reading most of it! Can i just say really quick, how cute are her bunnies? Nimbus is just the prettiest ever, the blue eyes and pure white fur! Looks just like a cloud!! 

I will definitely go around looking for stuffies for them, for now he’s got a really fluffy sock ahaha! 

Should any stuffed animal be okay, or should i get a couple from a pet store so i can safely assume or know its pet safe? 

[Deleted User]

We all encouraged her to name him Nimbus because he’s the cutest little puffy cloud

A dollar store stuffed animal should work. Neither of my boys were interested in it, so I stopped using them.

[Sirius&Luna]

hi

and thanks for agreeing that Nimbus is the cutest he’s a real sweetheart.

Any stuffed animal is fine, but make sure there’s not glass or button eyes that they could chew off and swallow.

My trio is on hold until the weekend, when I can try them in some REAL neutral space. I’ll get back to updating that thread soon!

[OnyxMoon]

Anyone would agree that he’s the cutest!  Thats a great point, i didnt even think of that! I look forward to reading more of your trio journey!

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