Hello,

I am trying to re-bond my female bunny (Cotton) and male bunny (Tiger). About one month ago I had my female bunny, Cotton, spayed.

These two bunnies are brother and sister and have been together all their lives (1 year), except after the neuter operation of Tiger. After his operation they bonded really quick again.

This time it is not going so good. The fist time we had them together a week ago, they didn't act agressiv at all They even groomed each other after only a few minutes of being together in the neutral room. No fighting whatsoever.

The second time we had them together (the same day, a few hours later) , they suddenly fought. We had to keep on seperating them and it was hard to get them to calm down.

They seem to make some progress (grooming each other) and then all of a sudden they fight again. They will stay on different ends of the pen (about 50cm away from each other) and play around. As soon as Cotton goes towards Tiger, he tries to jump her. At the beginning she would just go back to her corner. Now, she fights back.

At the moment we are frustrated with the non-existent progress they are making. I thought it would be easier to bond them the second time.

Does someone have tipps, how to best go on with the bonding process? I change cages with the two of them daily and let each of them out on their own. I have heard that some do not let the bunnies out alone unless they are out together. Should we not let them have their own play time?

Thanks for any tipps you can give.

Hello,

We tried in the bathtub trick, at first there were fights then they claimed each a corner, and flopped, they groom themselves. and mostly ignore each other, but then as soon as one would try to sniff the other, the cruffles start again. We are always talking to them to "BE NICE" and  use a load "NO" when they  try to fight.

We tried the car ride in a basket, that went real well they cuddled and tried to both sit on my lap. However when we got home they went back directly  to the tub. There was only one small scuffel after a few minuets ,then they went back to there corners and flopped.," Now What" should we get another neutral area?   Or  keep trying the tub?

The only other neutral place is my brothers apartment, and he has caged ferrets. that is too much stress I  think???.

How often can you stress them? please help I am unsure how to proceed.

I thank you  for any suggestions.

Hello. again,  Tiger and Cotton Bonding Update

We had another bunny date in the bathtub, this morning they were 2 hrs, supervised and they tried to fight occasionally. when they ignored each other they were put back in their cages, tonight we tried again, this time it was better. they had less scuffels that had to be broke up, and he snuggled alittle with cotton, without biting, then after a few minuets he nipped, and she went after him, (that is usually what happens neither one wants to back down.)  but I stopped them  by placing my hand between them. and separating Them. I hope tomorrow will prove to be even better.

Keeping everyone informed of the progress, although it is slow gowing, for  being a previously bonded brother and sister.

till next time.

Thanks

Hello again,

We had a break though, after this mornings bathtub date ,and things did't go to well. I held them on my lap and made them stay.petting them  the whole time, Boy ! was tiger ticked at me (i think) he sat their the whole time and clicked his teeth, at turbo speed.     then we put them back in their cages. (which we have been rotating them in cages through the whole bonding process.)

This evening we had another bathtub date there was only alittle circleing this time and when i separated them Tiger went to his cvorner and pouted. then after  few munUets he went over to Cotton and put his head down near her i kept 2 fingers between their heads so he couldn't bite because they are lop ear rabbits we can'r tell if the may bite except for the tail.

Anyway Cotton started grooming Tiger  for several minuets, then put her head down he started grooming her. Because the bathtub was needed we had to cut their date short it was only 30 min or so. But i think maybe they have decided to like each other??

we will continue with the Bathtub until they can stay without fighting or biting? I thinK. Then can we try semi neutral room? The only neutral place in the house is the bathtub.

THANKS

then after few munUets he went over to Cotton and put his head down near her i kept 2 fingers between their heads so he couldn't bite because they are lop ear rabbits we can'r tell if the may bite except for the tail.

Well! my fury  friends, did well again this morning. after minor scuffels, they calmed down and snuggled. but again it wasn't long. because of others things interfering of course my hand (gloved naturally) was there petting and keeping them from nipping

I wonder how long it would have went! that way, if  we  hadn't been disturbed.

tried again this afternoon didn't go so well back to ignoring each or trying to bite with the other one not backing down. However I noticed that if Tiger doesn't nip first Cotton will not try to attack. back. Humm!

Maybe I will try again this evening, or wait until tomorrow morning. this bunny bonding thing is sure tireing. I think they will wear me down before each other. HA HA!

Have a nice Sunday!

Hello again ,  I am starting to get discouraged.

last night we had our bathtub date and cotton groomed Tiger. He didn't groom her.

this morning they tried to fight. no grooming , they ignored each other too. Cotton went over to tiger( not threatening )he jumped at her. Then naturally she puts her tail up and jumps back.

I am beginning to think we should try something else. Progress is slow going. I know it could take awhile,  but it is frustrating. We can't keep

them in separate cages indefinately.  Probably will try stressing again.?

My question is should I not interfer so much? as soon as one goes to investigate the other I put my hand on one, or 2  gloved fingers in front of their heads . And talk to them. have my gloved hand ready just in case. They do not like the gloves.

I Try to do 3 Dates a day.. maybe that is too much? I have tried letting them out separetly for awhile too; before the date. that doesn't seem to make a difference.

I am at a loss now, what to do , or if I should continue bathtub dates still for awhile?

My dad says we should just put them togther in one place and let them fight it out. I am too soft hearted I don't want one or the other to get hurt..

Oh well! 

Maybe i will try again Later!

thanks for listening.

Hi Cotton, try a box, 30cm x 30cm x 30cm, not much bigger than that, they have to be touching each other. It will work too, only that you have to make a lid that you can see through. Without lid they won't stay put for long. Put the box on your lap and stroke the two rabbits. You can make a long session like this. It will transfer their scent from one to the other.
As for the 'fighting it out'. It can work but it can also go horribly wrong. If both seem to want to engage in the scuffles, don't let them fight it out. You need to be sure first that one will back down. Have you let the scuffles in the bathtub go on for any amount of time? How do these scuffles proceed exactly? Do both charge at each other?

You might want to wear gloves so you can stop the nipping. You are right not to let it go on since both are involved in the aggression. Add a stressor like putting them on top of your washing machine during a spin cycle. Keep trying the box with the bunnies inside in different stress situations until you find one that works.