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 How can I tell when my bunnies have bonded?

Viewing 4 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • HarryandBella
      Participant
      1 posts Send Private Message

        1.  Will they share food and water?

        2.  Will they sleep together?

        3. Is it possible to leave them alone?

        4.  Will lhey still do some hair pulling?

        5.  Will they fight?

        Harry is a neutered 6 month old ginger lop earred.  Bella is a 2 year old spayed Netherland dwarf. They no longer seem antagonistic to each other (mainly Harry to Bella) and are doing some mutual grooming.  It has taken about 3 days.


      • ZoeS
        Participant
        29 posts Send Private Message

          Yes to the first three, no to the second two. At least, that has been my (albeit limited) experience. My two buns took to each other immediately and have lived together since almost the first day. They have one water dish, one food dish (they are big bowls though, since they seem to want to put both their heads at the same time). They take care of each other, and if one of them does something alarming like have a sneezing fit (one of my buns has pasteurella), the other will come running in concern and starting grooming his face. Keep at it – I’m sure you’ll see some marked improvement in the coming days/weeks.


        • NuggetBuns
          Participant
          348 posts Send Private Message

            Yes to 1-3 and No to 4-5. It sounds like your pair are off to a great start! Try extending the bonding sessions for longer and longer until you feel like they’re ready to do a marathon session where they are together for 24-48 hours, with food/water/litterbox. If they don’t fight or chase at all, then you can be sure that they’re bonded =) GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR BUNS!


          • ZoeS
            Participant
            29 posts Send Private Message

              I will add that my female did continue to hump my male’s head (both are spayed/neutered) for some time after they were bonded. It was the only “issue” and it did subside in time, and it was dominant behaviour, not aggressive. Abe didn’t seem bothered by it and they were very happy together (not happy when separated), and it was infrequent so I didn’t separate them.

              The first night they stayed in the same cage together I slept in that room just in case there was a ruckus, but all was well. I think that bonding rabbits is one of those things where you “know” or feel when they are fully bonded and happy with each other.


            • Little Lion Head
              Participant
              1706 posts Send Private Message

                Yes to the first 3. Mostly no to the second 2.

                The only time I see hair-pulling with my two is when, like Zoe’s, my girl humps my boy. This now only happens when there food around and she’s not getting it in her mouth fast enough. She’ll go after him as if to say “I’m the boss. I get the food first!” When he gets sick of it he nips at her butt and might pull out a tuft or two. I’ve never seen him break skin.

                I’ve heard of bonded buns who start to fight later on, but there’s usually a reason behind it.

                If you think yours are ready to be alone, start with a marathon bonding session, like mentioned. Ours spent 12 hours together supervised during the day, then I spend the night with them as well that first night (albeit, I didn’t sleep much!!). You’ll know when they’re safe to be alone…you just know…

            Viewing 4 reply threads
            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

            Forum BONDING How can I tell when my bunnies have bonded?