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 Coming to a Standstill in the bonding Processs

Viewing 26 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Candle
      Participant
      102 posts Send Private Message

        So I did this the wrong way. I had Unibunny for a year and a half (neutered) before deciding to get him a wife. I wanted a flemish giant and no shelters near me had them so I decided to just get one from someone selling them (First oops)

        Anyway we got her spayed and I let them meet after everything was done (besides one interaction about a week after the surgery where Unibunny was really dominant so we ended it right away)

        They didn’t get along well. we started them on neutral ground (The kitchen floor with a blanket put there) and would do like 5 minute interactions where they’d either ignore or would start to get dominant.

        Fast forward to 3 months later and we’re at the point where they get along. Generally no fights but Bunita seems to want way more cuddles than Unibunny. She’ll go up to him and put her head down. He’ll respond the same way and she just waits for him to start licking her it seems. He doesn’t seem to really care though so he’ll just hop away. She’ll hunt him down and try again until she finally just starts humping him for ignoring her I think.

        He’ll happily binky on the rug with her around but just doesn’t really care to be close and she looks like she wants to. She lives in the bathroom for the time being and has gotten to the point where she’ll let Unibunny in there, he can use the litterbox and there aren’t any issues. However he’s in our bedroom when not totally loose and if she steps in there he’ll chase her out. Occasionally she can hop in as long as she doesn’t go near his actual cage. He’ll chase her and do whatever he can to get rid of her. Clearly he isn’t ready to share his space with her but will he ever?

        Also why does she keep trying to go back in the bedroom? He’ll chase her out after a little fight and not 3 seconds later she’ll try to hop right back in?

        I feel like I didn’t do the right thing by just getting her instead of doing the bunny dating thing but it’s already done now so I’ve got to work with that. They just seem to have two different types of temperaments. Like she wants the love bond and he’s more the meh let’s be friends bond. Will it ever settle down or am I pretty much stuck here now?


      • Mikey
        Participant
        3186 posts Send Private Message

          They both want to be dominant. Neither is willing to submit. Bunita putting her head down, then chasing him to mount him is her showing him that she is the boss of him. He chases her out of the room because he doesnt want to have to share it with her. He sounds like a bunny who would greatly prefer to be a single bun. He seems very independent and is happy by himself or with his humans. Whereas she wants to befriend him and have interactions with him on the regular. It may or may not work. If Unibunny really doesnt want to bond with her, it would be best for both of them to keep them as single bunnies in their own territories. You may have to look into getting Bunita a friend in the future if she starts to act lonely


        • Candle
          Participant
          102 posts Send Private Message

            That’s what I was worried about. We got her because we were told most bunnies prefer a mate and he was most likely lonely.
            Yet within minutes after the original post they both sat with their heads together and Unibunny layed down right there with her. She did too but then decided it was time to hump him. He mostly doesn’t care either until it’s his room. After long enough he’ll of course try to get away but doesn’t seem to care for a few seconds.

            So Bunita loves to cuddle with us and be out any time we are. Is there a chance that would be enough or do we most likely have to find her a mate that actually DOES get along with her since we work regular hours?

            Also if it isn’t going to work, how come they still seem to get along most of the time, just not in his room basically? Like she has no problem with him going in her room which I don’t understand since she’s normally so dominant?

             I’m just so confused and frustrated with this right now. I love both buns so much, they’re so sweet and fantastic in their own way but dang… I thought I was doing something to help one out not cause more stress 


          • Mikey
            Participant
            3186 posts Send Private Message

              If he doesnt mind her most of the time, the bond is likely possible. You would have to compensate for him, though. Youd have to give Bunita as much attention as possible, without making Unibunny jealous. You can try to encourage him grooming her by petting in a bit of apple juice or banana to the top of her head

              The only reason they wouldnt get along at all, would be if he decides everything is his, and he doesnt want her near at all. That doesnt sound like it will happen at all though, since he seems mostly mellow aside from that one room

              Not all bunnies need more bunny attention. Some prefer just their humans, some prefer just bunny friends, and some prefer to have bunnies and humans. The only way to really know would be to bunny date, but sometimes thats forgotten so you just have to roll with it. On the plus side, they are far from hating one another! Having two buns who refuse to get along is a lot harder than one bun who is a bit clingy


            • Candle
              Participant
              102 posts Send Private Message

                Thanks I really hope they can bond. I think she’s happy with us cuddling and he’s happy mostly being on his own. It’s just hard during the times we’re at work since she’s all by herself. He doesn’t mind but she just gets so excited the second we’re home and wants to come out and be pet


              • Mikey
                Participant
                3186 posts Send Private Message

                  Maybe a stuffed animal about her size would make her feel better while youre away? Ive heard of that working for some clingy bunnies. It could also wean some cuddle pressure off of Unibunny


                • Candle
                  Participant
                  102 posts Send Private Message

                    I’ll have to give that a try! Heading to the thrift store tomorrow to buy some more books for her to chew on, maybe I’ll get a stuffie while I’m at it!
                    Today they spent about a half hour together in their castle (a cardboard box) and there was basically no issues! Near the end Bunita looked like she was about to start humping him so I just separated them before anything happened and it turned negative but yeah. They’ve never stayed in the castle together before


                  • Mikey
                    Participant
                    3186 posts Send Private Message

                      Good move on separating them before she could hump! It sounds like a very successful session for them both. I hope they continue to have more


                    • Vienna Blue in France
                      Participant
                      5317 posts Send Private Message

                        Ah Candle – I can sympathise – I’m in the waiting game now until newly adopted 18month old Henry is 6 weeks post op (he’s only one week now)

                        My two are separated by cages and sometimes they lie down at the same time at other ends of the kitchen (its not that big! lol) or sometimes they frighten the life out of me by charging at each other through the cage. No injuries but the aggression of two big bunnies makes me jump.

                        I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing keeping it this way for the 6 weeks wait.
                        I’m hoping they “sort of” get used to (learn to tolerate) each other in that time. I SO hope I’m not making things worse.

                        I did a speed date in the garden where I found Henry and there was absolutely no agression at all. I was so happy (and amazed).

                        I am so hopeful for my bonding process but very worried at the same time.

                        I wonder if you went back and did a few more stress sessions or car rides, whether that would make Unibunny appreciate Bunita a bit more… can they go in the same cage?

                        It’s certainly very hopeful that there is no obvious agression or fights…. that’s one thing you can be pleased about.
                        And if you remember back to when they first met…. and their first meetings, I think you’ve come a long way.


                      • Candle
                        Participant
                        102 posts Send Private Message

                          I’m so excited! This afternoon they both went into their cardboard castle and they were fine. After like 20 minutes my husband looked over and was like… Is Bunita licking him?!? And she was! And then he licked her for a little bit too! I’m so happy right now I guess there IS hope again


                        • Mikey
                          Participant
                          3186 posts Send Private Message

                            Super cute! Glad the bonding is starting to pay off


                          • Candle
                            Participant
                            102 posts Send Private Message

                              So would they be considered bonded now even if they don’t get along 100%? Any time they’re free together they hang out and nap in their box together. Today Unibunny even flopped in the box with her! they take turns grooming eachother every once in a while and it’s adorable. Unibunny still won’t share his room with her though. He gets territorial and chases her away but any other time they seem to get along great. Will Unibunny ever get over it or should I just keep her out? What if I switched their rooms for a while so her smell gets in there?
                              Our issue is we tried letting her come in a few times and he actually peed on me on our blanket that night and we don’t want that to become a thing… any ideas? Thanks!

                              Also when should we let them try to spend a night together? I feel like if it was in the bathroom (her room) they’d be fine but I want to supervise so I’d prefer them to try in our room so I can be there all night, except that Unibunny still won’t get over the sharing the bedroom yet…


                            • Gina.Jenny
                              Participant
                              2244 posts Send Private Message

                                Is really cleaning and rearranging the room he sees as ‘his’ and option? So it gets recognised as a ‘new’ shared room


                              • Love4Bunny
                                Participant
                                878 posts Send Private Message

                                  Candle, I agree with Vienna about continuing the bonding. It sounds like Unibunny and Bunita still have some pow-wowing to do, and I agree, you do need to keep them overnight. They like each other but Unibunny is not completely there. I think there is definitely hope for these two. I would stick them both in neutral territory and go for broke with an intense 2 week living arrangement/ bonding experience, with clean toys and nothing in there that any of them could claim. I think they still have to hump it out and do some more grooming. I would clean Unibunny’s room and toys and litterbox, etc, but I wouldn’t introduce them into any of the separate areas till they figure this thing out. If you do let them share each others rooms’ prematurely, Unibunny may just go back to being territorial. You can get occasional humping with bonded rabbits, but I’m thinking the above is why their bond appears so confusing. You’ve had them together for 3 months, whats a little more anyways, you know?


                                • Love4Bunny
                                  Participant
                                  878 posts Send Private Message

                                    Once you see consistent and positive interaction, that’s a good sign. If your rabbits don’t learn to figure it out in a controlled environment (bonding), they may choose to duke it out when you’re not watching. It happens, but you want to help facilitate consistent behaviour that doesn’t end in chasing.


                                  • Vienna Blue in France
                                    Participant
                                    5317 posts Send Private Message

                                      I was thinking like GJ. Completely clean bedroom. Rearrange. Even by putting cardhoard boxes or barriers up so they cant see the rest of the room…. plastic or blanket down on floor so that seems different too.


                                    • Candle
                                      Participant
                                      102 posts Send Private Message

                                        I didn’t even think of that. That’s brilliant! I’ll definitely work on that. What about his cage… Wipe it down with a vinegar/water mixture?


                                      • Candle
                                        Participant
                                        102 posts Send Private Message

                                          Just finished completely cleaning and rearranging the room and so far so good! Unibunny is Not happy his space is gone, he thumped a couple of times but he hasn’t been territorial at all since then. They’re both just exploring the new room and Bunita is learning how to move on the hardwood. I’m not exactly excited for tonight because I feel like there will be a lot of wake-ups. Not from fighting but just moving around and exploring, sliding on the floor and scaring themselves but I’m excited to finally be moving forward with this!


                                        • Candle
                                          Participant
                                          102 posts Send Private Message

                                            Well last night could not have gone better! We woke up a couple times due to them scurrying and slipping on the floor but there were no issues between them. They both layed down together to sleep. During the first few hours we saw each of them flop too! They groomed eachother, ate food together and sometimes went their own ways but everything was super smooth sailing!
                                            The only “issue” is Bunita is pooping everywhere. She’s always done it as a territorial thing but we woke up to like 30 poops not in the litterbox. I’m not sure if this is something that will go away as she “becomes one” with Unibunny and doesn’t feel the need to make it hers or if it’s just something she’ll always do. But other than that everything was great!


                                          • Vienna Blue in France
                                            Participant
                                            5317 posts Send Private Message

                                              Yaaaaaayyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!! (I’m silently thinking how on earth I could rearrange my kitchen…. Zou’s territory)
                                              But soooo glad for you (where were the buns when you were rearranging or did you do it and then just open the door to them both? Tadaaa, your new home guys!!)


                                            • Candle
                                              Participant
                                              102 posts Send Private Message

                                                I had them out in the living room and surprised them. Which is why Unibunny was mad at first lol but oh man. I’m so happy Throughout the day today they’ve been resting side by side. Just now they’re each on their own for a nap but there was no fight so I’m guessing they just also like space.


                                              • Vienna Blue in France
                                                Participant
                                                5317 posts Send Private Message

                                                  Proof please – don’t belieeve ya !

                                                  *chanting* Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo!


                                                • Candle
                                                  Participant
                                                  102 posts Send Private Message

                                                    Oh dear, I don’t know how to add one! I’ll try to figure it out


                                                  • Vienna Blue in France
                                                    Participant
                                                    5317 posts Send Private Message

                                                      You cant add it in the ‘quick reply’ box, you have to press +Reply.
                                                      Then follow the instructions… Dont forget to ‘add’ piccie. You should see it in the dialogue box before pressing send.
                                                      No excuses….. ;P


                                                    • Candle
                                                      Participant
                                                      102 posts Send Private Message

                                                        It says the maximum file size is 500 kb… How do I make it lower quality?


                                                      • Vienna Blue in France
                                                        Participant
                                                        5317 posts Send Private Message

                                                          Oooo others do it differently but i open photo with windows picture manager, open, modifiy file and “compress” it….. There may reducing file size instructions on the site here.


                                                        • lilmisfortune
                                                          Participant
                                                          2 posts Send Private Message

                                                            Hi, I’m new on the forum and started bonding two buns, male and female, both neutered.

                                                            I’m a little stuck on what to do next. I’ve had Theo (boy bun) for a while, do I’m trialling him with Lilian, who was an only bunny of a friend who has been looking for a home for her. They spent the car ride home in travel cases side by side, so they could see each other, at home having them in cages side by side went well too (curiosity, eating near each other) and once I had the cages touching, they began grooming through the bars.

                                                            Next I closed off a neutral hallway and put them at either end with hideout boxes and tunnels. They could see each other and checked each other out from a distance, then explored the area at either end. After 20 minutes or so, Theo worked up the courage to hop tentatively over to her end, and she came closer to him. They touched noses and then started munching on the hay, after a while Theo explored Lily’s end and then they laid down together. About an hour after that they started grooming each other.

                                                            I allowed them access to the area where Theo has always lived and they hopped in together at first, but then he chased her out, no nipping or catching, and she tried again later but the same thing happened. Since then I’ve tried them out in a semi-neutral area, still the main room Theo uses but not where he usually goes. He chased Lily around again, and making loud noises and using a spray bottle helped a bit, but it still kept happening, to the point where she keeps running and getting scared. I’ve gone back to fully neutral territory, but I don’t know how to continue, they cuddle up to each other in neutral territory and groom each other equally. I’ve tried making Theo’s area smell less like him, moving things around, added things that smell like her in when he’s alone (he grooms towels and a plush toy that smells like her).

                                                            Something that worries me is that they haven’t tried any mounting to assert who’s boss. Theo is clearly more dominant and she doesn’t seem to have a problem with that, but isn’t it normal for them to have that “talk”? Should I wait to move them from neutral areas until they do mount? Or is it okay that they don’t feel the need to?

                                                            Thanks for reading all this, if you could give me some insight that would be great

                                                        Viewing 26 reply threads
                                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                        Forum BONDING Coming to a Standstill in the bonding Processs