Bringing home new bunny but NOT bonding

[boeing]

Hi, everyone!

I’ve had bunnies for a long time, but have never been successful with bonding. Combine that with the fact that resident bunny, Squeeze, is 11.5 and doing well, so I don’t want to stress her out in her old age. 

The new bun is getting neutered tomorrow (Squeeze was spayed when she was tiny). He’ll be coming home and living in a different room, but I expect they’ll be able to smell each other. I can prevent contact easily, but will that create more stress? Once new bun is healed up, should I introduce them to each other in the tub, just so they know what that other bunny smell IS?

This is very new to me, this adding one rabbit while another’s in the house. I’d like not to freak out either bunny. Thanks in advance for your advice!

Amy in Toronto

[Azerane]

Hey there If not not planning on bonding, I wouldn’t bother to introduce them at all, it will likely just be more stress for them both, especially your senior bun Squeeze. They will know what the smell it, it may upset Squeeze quite a bit to smell the new bun but that will pass with time. Just be careful coming into Squeeze’s territory from that of your new bun, you may get a nip if you smell like the new bunny.

[Author]

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