Bonding two guys not going well

[Jess]

Hey bun lovers

Here’s what’s going on.

Got my first bun, Pudge. He’s a house bun but has a little sleeping room to himself. He’s neurted

Then after about two years of problem less house bunnery we get a new guy Gandalf. Long story short we took him because someone else couldn’t look after him and knwe itd be better for Pudge to have company . Got Gandalf neutered straight away.

We kept them in separate but adjacent cages for 3 weeks after Gandalf’s op. Then tried introductions putting them in neutral space, the bath tub. After putting them in daily sessions of increased exposure , letting them scuffle and sort out dominance for monitored periods of time the scuffles turn to fights. We let nips happen, nut treid to stop any chasing. We lwt mointing happen only for a sgort amount of time so it didn’t escalate.
We’re trying to keep them together as long as possible so they can really get used to it and figure out who’s dominant but the fights have started to become more instantaneous and serious. Gandalf recent got injured.

New tactics required. I really need advice because it breaks my heart I got him hurt. Please help. I already love Gandalf too much to give up on them being able to coexist as happy house buns.

Thanks!

[LBJ10]

How long has it been now since Gandalf was neutered?

[Deem]

I thought that it was normal for 2 males not being able to be bonded even when they are both neutered.
It is possible to get them bonded, but not as common as a male and female combo or 2 females.

good luck tho.

[kcomstoc]

I have 2 neutered males that are best friends, it’s def possible. i’m also going to add another neutered male to my 2.

[Jess]

Gandalf has been neutered for a month now. We left it about 3 weeks before we tried introductions.

I know it will be possible to bone them and that it will take time. I’m willing to listen to any advice to help out because the bathtub approach h has just got him hurt

[LBJ10]

If it’s only been 4 weeks, then there could still be some wacky hormone stuff going on. Maybe give them a break and then try again with a new approach. Stress bonding can do wonders.

And I also wanted to say that my boys absolutely adore each other.

[kcomstoc]

Another thing that effects bonding is personality, maybe theirs are clashing….just a thought. Sometimes bunnies don’t get along because their personalities just aren’t compatible but I would try stress bonding first before giving up.

[Jess]

This has inspired me that it is possible to introduce a second dude at least!

Yeah I’m gonna leave it for a week or two before starting again. Gandalf needs time to heal anyway poor thing!!

What’s the ideal way for stress bonding? I heard car ride together but I don’t have a car and am concerned at putting them in the same small place together will jist ensue in a fight!

[Jess]

Oops duplicate post

[Jess]

And again. Don’t know how to delete it so :p

[kcomstoc]

Do you have a washer or dryer? putting them in a crate and putting them on top of it is also a good way to stress bond, or put them in the crate and lightly rock it *not so they’re flying all over the place but enough where they’re like “whoa what is this? stick close to me man this is crazy”* if that makes sense, there’s always the vacuum cleaner method as well. Same idea as the washer/dryer just put them in a crate and run the vacuum cleaner near it. I know this wouldn’t have worked for me because my holland lop is apparently immune to all sudden noises and hops up to the vacuum cleaner like “hey, you’re making a lot of noise but you’re also weird looking let me get closer”. His hearing is just fine he just doesn’t respond to sudden/strange noises.

[Jess]

Haha yeah the vacuum might not work because pudge is like “hello tall, strange, very loud friend ” but I’ll try the dryer method, thanks!

[LBJ10]

You can also put them in a box or basket and drag them around on the floor. If they try to fight, give them a little shake. I think kcomstoc’s description is spot on.

[kcomstoc]

Hows the bonding going?

[Author]

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