Starting to bond soon- some questions

[hiskatey93]

Okay so currently Chom, my Flemish Giant is not living at home. I moved from my old home, in with my mother for a while, and she has 3 large dogs, that are notorious rabbit haters. So he stayed with my best friend. Left my moms and went to live with my boyfriend. Chom comes home next month! ((YAY I’VE MISSED MY BABY SO MUCH!))

So we unexpectedly got a new rabbit, Speckles. She was abandoned, and my heart broke, and melted for her. And she is a wonderful addition to our home, especially while I’ve been pining for Chom.

But because Chom comes home next month, I’m a little nervous about bonding the two of them. Never bonded bunnies before. Chom is neutered, so no worries. Speckles is not spayed yet, but has an appointment for it in October.

I read a little something about bonding while using dolls as well. Like covering two dolls in each of their fur, and slowly introducing them that way. Something about scent. So first off the dolls. Can they just be any random doll, or must they be rabbit like in appearance? Also that leads me into size. Chom is… Well he is huge. Finding a realistic rabbit doll in his size is practically impossible, at least from my googling. Also is there a specific type of doll I should get, or is any random one fine????

I’m trying to just figure everything out, and get myself prepared for this new experience. Chom has been known to be territorial in his home, but with the move, and the fact that Speckles scent is all over my apartment may make him a little less territorial, at least from what I have read.

And also Speckles is a caged bunny, but Chom has always been free roam. Will that affect their bonding in any way?

[LittlePuffyTail]

I really doubt the bunnies will care if the plush toys are rabbits or not. They will know they are not real rabbits. It’s just really to serve as a vessel for the scent. And some bunnies enjoy grooming plushies.

I’m assuming you won’t be attempting any bonding until after your girl is spayed?

While waiting, you can also switch litterboxes as another way to get them used to each others scent.

What’s the plan after their bonded: will they be caged or free-roam?

[hiskatey93]

I may possibly try, since we have no worries of babies. Chom is neutered. But if doesn’t seem to go well then I will be waiting until she is spayed to attempt bonding. The last thing I wanna do is rush it.

And good. Then I’ll just wash a few of my old ones. Speckles already loves this old horse plushie I gave her. She grooms it often, and I put it in her carrier whenever she goes out. It soothes her.

I’m thinking of building up her current cage, and just making it massive, and getting Chom used to a cage again, but there is no guarantee. It depends on the bonding, and also a long discussion with the boyfriend. ((Chom is not all that great with his litter habits admittedly. He’s a stubborn bunny))

[tanlover14]

I really REALLY discourage attempting to bond before her spay. Unaltered rabbits can (quite literally) tear each other to pieces due to their hormonal tendencies. It only takes a second for a fight to escalate out of control, especially if you are new to bonding! I have a bonding blog where I also help people bond. The last person who refused to follow my advice, ended up with a bunny that had half his ear ripped off. I really REALLY hope you will choose to wait.

Like LPT said, you can keep their pens closer together & switch litter boxes as well as toys to help them become accostumed to the others scent before officially doing any bonding. Just make sure there is an inch between the pens b/c rabbits have been known to go at it right through the bars before!

[hiskatey93]

Tanlover I think I’m gonna take your advice and hold off on bonding most definitely. I don’t want any ears ripped off, or any other appendages.

Chom does not have a cage. He is free roam. Do you think I can set up a partition, separating them? Like I can leave Chom out in my living room, and I can give Speckles my hallway, but have a gate at the meeting point to keep them from getting at eachother, but they can still see, smell, and hear the other??

[LittlePuffyTail]

You’d have to make sure they can’t bite each other through the gate and make super sure it’s sturdy and that they can’t jump over it. Bunnies are super clever with stuff like that…even more so if they are trying to get to another bun.

[Dee]

I agree with LPT on the gate needing to be really secure! What I’m doing, once I get another gate with smaller spaces between the rails, is attach heavy duty metal screen to it so they can’t possible nip noses through it. I had what I thought was an extremely secure gate, with two layers of metal grid squares (like for rabbit condos) firmly wired to it. First my male bun, Luke, stuck his nose through a tiny hole- like maybe 2 1/2-3″ tops- and then his whole body followed! Second time, with even more grids on the gate, he squeezed UNDER somehow. Both rabbits were OK and I was home both times, but if they had been a violent match, it could have ended in tragedy. So don’t underestimate how those little bodies can squeeze through tiny spaces! Also- sometimes are jumpers, like my old bun BunBun. Little old dwarf who could clear a 30″ gate no problem ?.
Congrats on your new addition and good luck with your bunnies!

[rayray]

I don’t have much in the way of advice, but I know those nervous feelings all too well. Follow the advise everyone has given so far, but don’t be too worried. I brought my female in after she healed from her spay. Her & Ziggy fell instantly in love! No bonding strategy needed. Not saying this happens with everyone, but it is possible (after the spay). Good luck!!!

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