Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BONDING Bonding. . . and unaltered. . . Will it work?

Viewing 33 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • VelvetLion7
      Participant
      125 posts Send Private Message

        I’m trying to bond my two unaltered rabbits, a male and female. . . will this work? 


      • Monkeybun
        Participant
        10479 posts Send Private Message

          I wouldn’t put an unaltered pair together, they’d be doing more baby making than bonding. Wait until one or both have been altered.


        • Jenna, Chubs & Comet
          Participant
          617 posts Send Private Message

            Rabbits can get pregnant at about 4 months of age, and they can get pregnant again very soon after a delivery of kits. An unaltered pair that is male and female will result in baby bunnies…Don’t put them together until one or both is speutered.


          • mrmac
            Participant
            2156 posts Send Private Message

              Do not put them together until they are altered. It can take only seconds for a pregnancy to happen. Female rabbits have an especially high risk of reproductive cancers. Most males will become very “humpy” around sexual maturity and may even spray. I strongly suggest that you get them altered.

              Here’s a good link: http://www.rabbit.org/health/spay.html


            • Sarita
              Participant
              18851 posts Send Private Message

                Absolutely not! You would just be encouraging them to breed and we do not encourage this. Already too many homeless rabbits. The responsible thing is to get them both altered, wait a month, and bond.


              • jerseygirl
                Moderator
                22338 posts Send Private Message

                  I read in your introduction post that the male is 2, female at least 4 months. This means it is VERY likely the female is already pregnant. PLEASE be responsible and get her checked out be a rabbit vet. You can look into an emergency spay if she is in fact pregnant. How long have you been trying to bond the two?
                  I realise you are new to the forums and were nervous about joining. I’m glad you did as we can help you in this situation. I would like to let you know that members (myself included) are VERY Pro-neutering rabbits to stop the over population problem. You will probably find this message will come across many times!

                  For now, please take the female to a good rabbit vet. We can assist you in finding one if you haven’t already.


                • katie, max & penny
                  Participant
                  956 posts Send Private Message

                    No no no no no no no no no no !!

                    there’s a reason people call it “… like rabbits”. have these two been together at ALL? if they have, then your girl has a 95% chance of all ready being pregnant. so pleeeeeease take her to a rabbit savvy vet.

                    we get some of the “i thought he was a boy but hes really a girl!” pregnancies, but knowingly putting two unaltered buns together is absolutely NOT ok.

                    i know i sound mean and i can live with that because having two unaltered buns is already tip-toeing on the brink of irresponsibility but putting them together is definitely crossing that line.

                    i’m not trying to make you feel bad or anything, but you have to know how serious this is. PLEASE take your girl to a vet.


                  • RabbitPam
                    Moderator
                    11002 posts Send Private Message

                      If you haven’t already, please get two cages, at least two feet apart – one for each bunny. Let them out separately for exercise, NOT together. Do not let either get near the other one’s cage. They can get pregnant through the bars if left unattended, and can hurt each other by biting if they are aggressive.

                      We do not condone intentional breeding, so if you knowingly put them together unaltered and have a litter, it would be considered intentional.

                      If you need help finding a good vet for rabbits for neutering, we can help with that, too.


                    • Deleted User
                      Participant
                      22064 posts Send Private Message

                        Bonding is about rabbits that have been desexed. Two rabbits together of opposite gender and both intact is breeding.


                      • VelvetLion7
                        Participant
                        125 posts Send Private Message

                          Ok. To get this settled, they have not been anywhere near each other, I was responsible enough to make sure of that. I am one hundred percent positive that Ruby is not pregnant. Their cages are close to each other, about a foot apart but they are rarely both in their cages at the same time. I know how serious this is, but I have yet to find a rabbit savvy vet in the area. Is it better to fix one or both? And if one, then which one?


                        • Monkeybun
                          Participant
                          10479 posts Send Private Message

                            The female probably. If she goes unaltered, she has a very high chance of getting uterine cancer, which just isn’t a good thing. I think its around an 80% chance she could get it if unaltered.


                          • Sarita
                            Participant
                            18851 posts Send Private Message

                              I agree if you have to chose, the female. I hope you can find a good vet to help you.


                            • Deleted User
                              Participant
                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                well, as you can see, VelvetLion, you opened a can of worms! We are all very anti-breeding as they are so many unwanted bunnies. Great that you did the right thing.
                                It is very rare that two rabbits get along without fighting unless they are both fixed. The male must be neutered as his drive to mount will prevent any bonding efforts from being successful. Females can be very aggressive for terrritorial reasons. The female, even if she were the exception and very submissive by nature needs to be spayed for her health also. Females are subject to a number of illnesses if left intact.
                                After you find a rabbit vet, and your rabbits had their surgeries you will need to let one month go by before beginning the bonding process. This is the amount of time needed for their hormones to settle. A male will still mount and can impregnate a female for up to 2 weeks after being neutered and a female can suffer injuries if she is exposed to a male in humpfest mode right after her surgery.


                              • VelvetLion7
                                Participant
                                125 posts Send Private Message

                                  Ok. Thanks everybody. I will get Rubes altered a.s.a.p. (And probably Velvet too.)


                                • jerseygirl
                                  Moderator
                                  22338 posts Send Private Message

                                    Rae, thanks for sticking around and clarifying things.  I hope you can see that from your opening line of this thread – it was very easy for us to jump on the “DON’T BREED!” Bandwagon!  We’ve probably scared people away before…….

                                    I hope this helps you find a vet.  http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html .  If you feel comfortable about posting your State and general location, perhaps another member may be able to recommend a vet also.

                                    As to bonding – I think the pair living side be side may help in them becoming accustomed to one another but that’s about as far as it goes.  With the hormones involved, their instinct to breed will override the social companionship that rabbits do have.  Just natures way!


                                  • katie, max & penny
                                    Participant
                                    956 posts Send Private Message

                                      agreed thank you for clarifying. i hate pontificating


                                    • VelvetLion7
                                      Participant
                                      125 posts Send Private Message

                                        Your welcome. I am kind of afraid of the sky falling on my head again, but. . . complications have arose and my dad doesn’t see the need for altering and my mom a) wants to let them have at least one litter and b) thinks it’s cruel and unnatural to alter them. They’re great parents but I’m having trouble convincing them that this is the best things for my bunnies. Any suggestions?


                                      • Jenna, Chubs & Comet
                                        Participant
                                        617 posts Send Private Message

                                          I think providing them with the information- maybe pointing them to the house rabbit web site, or this one- letting them read about the things that (especially a female) a bunny can get from not being altered (uterine cancer, etc). Their mood changes and/or naughty teenager behavior is enough to convince some- also their litter habbits improve with alteration. Also talk to them about the huge responsibility that baby bunnies would be. They are adorable but there can be complications with them, your bunny may choose not to mother them, she could have issues with the birth…also what about when it’s time to find them homes? Just give them some information and talk to them about your real concerns. That’s my best advice!


                                        • katie, max & penny
                                          Participant
                                          956 posts Send Private Message

                                            jenna had some good advice.

                                            it sounds like your dad has some issues with neutering in general, not specifically in buns. i collected some websites that can address altering in general:

                                            http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/why_you_…r_pet.html

                                            http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/myths_an…ering.html

                                            docs.google.com/gview
                                            http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-a…ering.html

                                             

                                            Also, it may help him to know that in many states, including mine (texas) it is illegal to leave your dog unaltered unless you plan on breeding them for business (not just casual breeding).

                                             

                                            I think once he sees the reasons behind altering, he may realize the importance of the procedure. good luck!

                                             

                                            Oh and the sky won’t fall on your head- people freaked out because it orginally sounded like you had already housed them together/bred them and we felt a sense of urgency to express the dangers of that.


                                          • VelvetLion7
                                            Participant
                                            125 posts Send Private Message

                                              =) Thanks again. I’ll try that and let you know what happens.


                                            • jerseygirl
                                              Moderator
                                              22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                It’s difficult when parent have different view point to you. Are they actually your rabbits though? If so, can you assert that you think it is best for them?   Are you in a position to save money to pay for the procedures also?

                                                Your Mom mentioned it being cruel and unnatural – and it can seem that way until you discover the statistic & risks of leaving them unaltered. Also, wouldn’t it be sad for them to be kept separated all the time? Which is what you’d have to do because otherwise it would be endless litters. As altered rabbits, they can be bonded and live 24/7 together – it is a lovely thing to witness.

                                                Say hypothetically you did as your mom wishes and allowed just one litter…..then you have X amount of rabbits that would have to be kept separated also, including Velvet and Ruby to prevent further litters. Also, it is rare to be able to successfully house same sex unaltered rabbits because they will fight. So it’s likely you couldn’t even house any together for companionship.
                                                This little article might be an eye opener for your parents. http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/scary.html


                                              • Karla
                                                Participant
                                                1624 posts Send Private Message

                                                  Why would you mum want a litter?

                                                  I spend a lot of time on a dog forum, and those with hunting dogs help each other find rabbits litters for sale or for free – and then use them for training the dogs. Ask your mum if that is what she wants to happen with this litter? Everybody can look friendly when they come to pick up the bunnies…

                                                  And tell her that your bunnies will be more easily litter trained, their pee will not smell, they will be more friendly and less destructive if they are fixed. I am sure she appreciates those points.

                                                  Other than that – I began bonding my bunnies when Karl had been spayed for 6 weeks and Molly for just a week. Karl wanted to hump her all the time, which she had loved the days just before her spay, but after the spay, she hated it. So by only fixing her, you will be driving them crazy, ’cause his hormones will be high and he won’t let her be. She will love you for fixing him as well


                                                • VelvetLion7
                                                  Participant
                                                  125 posts Send Private Message

                                                    =) I am totally in favor and think I have even found a vet to do it but the other thing is that I’m not sure if I can afford to alter both of them . . . Because I think if I did alter them I would have to pay. (My parents probably wouldn’t be willing to pay much for the altering I think.) And I have yet to get a job. Right now I’m like a month under age. (I’ll be [edited age-RP]  in November.) My mom wants at least one litter because she knows a few people who want a bunny and she thinks it’s unnatural to alter bunnies. Personally I know that at least one of the people she is thinking of will give another bunny a good home, (My friend has several already and would take another.) I would really like to be able to bond them though. So. . . now I am in a little bit of a fix. At the moment they are never out at the same time. =( I want them to bond and be friends. . . and I’m afraid of who will get the babies if they do have a litter. Eek. Who knows what might happen to sweet baby bunnies that are given away to strangers!!! Definitely not going to give in to her about that one.


                                                  • katie, max & penny
                                                    Participant
                                                    956 posts Send Private Message

                                                      Ah, VL I didn’t know you were so young! Sorry for freaking out on you.

                                                      Why don’t you suggest to your mom and/or her friends that they can adopt a rabbit instead of breeding?


                                                    • VelvetLion7
                                                      Participant
                                                      125 posts Send Private Message

                                                        It’s ok, you were doing what you thought was best for the bunnies. I have brought that up but now my mom has gotten tired of me trying to convince her and has just said plain no. Ugh! I am really frustrated right now. My poor bunnies. They both know there is another bunny in the house and are both wondering what is up. =(


                                                      • VelvetLion7
                                                        Participant
                                                        125 posts Send Private Message

                                                          Lol. About the age thing, it’s actually a good thing that you freaked out on me KH, my dad worries that people will know how young I am and something bad will happen to me so usually I try not to show how old I am. . . It means that if I’m careful nobody will know. . .


                                                        • jerseygirl
                                                          Moderator
                                                          22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                            It very possible to keep them as is if your parents won’t allow having them fixed. It may be a little more work for you, and you have to be ever vigilant they don’t escape there cages. Just allow them time (separately) with you each day for company and play. Shelters are over run with rabbits needing homes. Many euthanised because there is just no room. If your Mom has friends wanting their own pet rabbits, direct them there.


                                                          • Beka27
                                                            Participant
                                                            16016 posts Send Private Message

                                                              I would definitely encourage friends or family interested in a house rabbit to do research and then visit a local shelter/rescue to see about adopting. Even if you do have 3 or 4 homes for baby bunnies, I have personally heard of litters with as many as NINE BABIES!!! That’s a lot!

                                                              At your age (at ANY age!), having two unaltered rabbits to care for, house separately, give separate playtime to… will not be easy. It is very likely that they may spray with urine and leave poops everywhere to mark off their territory against the other bunny.

                                                              Another option would be this: if your friend or family member is interested in getting a rabbit (and has done research) and is committed to caring for the bunny, you *could* “adopt” one of your bunnies to them. I KNOW THIS IS NOT IDEAL! You would still be able to be a part of the bunny’s life, but you wouldn’t need to be continuously concerned about the female getting pregnant, or them breaking out together and getting into a bad fight (which can lead to serious injuries.)

                                                              If you don’t want to do that, then I would encourage you to start saving a little bit of money when you can and work towards at least getting the female spayed.


                                                            • RabbitPam
                                                              Moderator
                                                              11002 posts Send Private Message

                                                                It’s good that you’re trying to convince them.
                                                                I agree with Beka’s idea to have the friend of your mom’s who’s interested adopt one of them.
                                                                The only other arguements I can think of are:
                                                                For the female, it’s not unnatural as much as it is a preventative treatment for cancer. The female is very likely to develop it if she is not altered. So the options are to have her be healthy, safe and not pregnant, or suffer a dreadful disease that will shorten her life that could have been prevented.
                                                                The male is a much safer and less expensive procedure, so he could be altered and at least she won’t get pregnant by him if she isn’t already.
                                                                You might consider asking them, and other family, to pay for the female as a birthday present. I used to ask for bigger things I wanted/needed as a gift. I am born in Nov. too! (And your Dad can be proud of your awareness of your own risks on the Net. I might go back and edit out the exact number of your age if you don’t mind.)


                                                              • VelvetLion7
                                                                Participant
                                                                125 posts Send Private Message

                                                                  =) Thanks RabbitPam! I was going to do that myself today. I’ve decided to ask my parents if they’ll pay for Ruby’s altering as a present and save up for Velvet (my bunny boy. <3) Also, my brother has adopted Ruby as his, so now he's a partial owner and the responsibility is split. My mom is actually half way there concerning Velvet's altering now. He has a bad habit of leaving his poops everywhere to show that he is the king of living room. . . And he gets smelly sometimes. Right now I'm hoping for the best and an appointment with the vet.


                                                                • MarkBun
                                                                  Participant
                                                                  2842 posts Send Private Message

                                                                    My response would be to show the mom the numerous litters and baby bunnies, as well as all others, at the various overcrowded rescue sites. Currently, my rescue alone site has 112+ rabbits up for adoption – and this doesn’t include the 20+ rabbits we have from the mass rescue we recently did nor any of the special needs rabbits. And there are two other major rabbit only rescue groups within 50 miles (I count 83 on The Rabbit Haven site and 30 at the House Rabbit Society in Richmond)

                                                                    I can understand the desire for the cute lil worming bunnies – and we all go ga-ga over them here too. But there are just so many around right now…


                                                                  • VelvetLion7
                                                                    Participant
                                                                    125 posts Send Private Message

                                                                      Yeah, I understand. =( so many bunnies up for adoption. . . I want them all. . .


                                                                    • MarkBun
                                                                      Participant
                                                                      2842 posts Send Private Message

                                                                        BTW, if you ask the vet, they may allow you to pay in installations – especially to keep the unexpected population down via altering.


                                                                      • VelvetLion7
                                                                        Participant
                                                                        125 posts Send Private Message

                                                                          Ok. I’ll ask about that.

                                                                      Viewing 33 reply threads
                                                                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                                      Forum BONDING Bonding. . . and unaltered. . . Will it work?