Hi Everyone
I had another bonding session today and it went slightly better, I thought it would be nice to keep a rabbit bonding type diary on here so if anyone can give me some advice as I go through this journey with the rabbits that would be really good.
Background on Rabbits
I got Eddy (Male Rabbit) a year and a half ago, he is a mini rex rabbit and has quite a confident personality, if there is a gap or ledge he will find it and jump on it. He has been in the same cage from the first day I got him (I got him when he was a baby – he lives outside). Eddy has been showing signs of aggression towards me recently so I took him to the vets to make sure he was okay and she recommended that I get Eddy a buddy. So along came Matilda, she is a mini lop rabbit, very tame and placid and about 6 months old. I put her in Eddys hutch and put eddy in a friend hutch. They are next to each other so they can still sniff and see each other.
Bonding Session 1
I read on many websites that putting both the rabbits in the bath was a good way to stress bond them together and it was the most neutral place in my house. The first meeting went awful, I thought that they would never be friends after this meeting. Eddy kept on nipping Matilda bum, so much so that Matilda jumped out of the bath and kept on running away from him. This lasted for about 10 mins and then returned them to there hutches as I could see Matilda was becoming really stressed and didn’t think is was fair on her.
[u[Bonding Session 2
After the first session I left them alone in there cages for 2 days to calm down, I noticed Matilda had an upset stomach so wanted that to calm down first. I did not put them in the bath but on the bathroom floor on a piece of old carpet. My Husband and I held one rabbit each and stroked them in our arms for a couple of mins then put them down on the carpet. Eddy did keep on nipping Matildas bum with Matilda keeping on running away. Every time this happened I squirted Eddy with some water and it did deter Eddy a bit from nipping her (eddy head is now very wet, I am having to towel dry him as its the coldest night of the year in England tonight), There was a moment were Matilda went to Eddy and nipped him on his face (now i never celebrate aggression but I am pleased that Matilda has stood up for herself) She also kept on thumping the floor which put Eddy off a bit. They were out for about 30mins, we need cuddled them again next to each other. I then put eddy back in the kitchen so he can have some exercise (the hutch he is in is a lot smaller than his one so I worry that he wont be able to run around as much) and hugged Matilda for a while.
I am so hoping Matilda sticking up for herself is a good sign. If you have any thoughts please let me know as I would love some advice on how I could make this easier for the two rabbits to become friends. I do have a feeling this may take a while but I knew it was never going to be a quick process.
Thanks
Kirsty
P.S – When I figure out how to post photos I will show you what Eddy and Matilda looks like