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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 Re-bonding (hopefully)

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    • Blake
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        So I was reading several posts on this forum and saw some similar situations to mine. I have two buns. Cookie and Marshmallow. We had marshmallow for maybe 3-4 months before we got cookie. When got cookie we had just moved into a new house. They would have play time together in a large area at first. During this time we got marshmallow spayed. After that her and cookie fought. It didn’t have long to get them friendly and snugly again. Their room then got finished and we got cookie spayed. Again they fought but rebounded easily. About 1.5-2 months later I noticed a marshmallow was hiding and I saw a big pile poof of her hair on the floor. They had a fight.

        They’ve been separated for almost 2 months now. Same room, separate cages each with their own time to roam the room. I’ve tried short rebounding sessions but have to break them up because cookie keeps going after marshmallow even when marshmallow only wants to cuddle and groom cookie.

        Today it had been several weeks since I tried to bond. I let them out and with in a minute cookie was going after marshmallow. I put a towel over cookie to get her to stop. I even heard her grunt at marshmallow. I decided to keep cookie wrapped up. Carried her to Mars Hamm low and basically smashed their faces together for 5-10 minutes and pet and talked to both at the same time. I had my wife bring in some blue berries and I let them both eat them out of the container together.

        That part of the session went OK. When I had to get ready for work I reseperated them according to whos turn it was to roam the room.

        Anyone have any other ideas to bond them? I haven’t tried stress bonding only because Cookie has had three random episodes fright and running into walls hard and freaking out. So I do my best to let her relax


      • Bunny House
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          Hi, I hope this still helps.

          I have four buns so I’m trying to bond all four but man its a job haha. My two buns had love at first sight but I know that when you are bonding or rebonding, you need to bond in a neutral territory where no other bun has been before such as a bathroom or kitchen.

          I would keep their pens separated by a couple of inches and do not let them have play time in the same area, it will only encourage territorial behavior and fighting.

          After you do that, I would start in the bathtub and have gloves handy to pick one up if they start fighting. Stress bonding such as car rides always help the process more faster. Start out doing small times together then do longer sessions. As they do better then you can move their houses closer together.

          Also, I am trying this right now, have two stuffed animals “stunt doubles” and have each one mark their scent on one. Then switch the bears and once they see when they fight the bear the bear doesn’t react, they will be comfortable and when you introduce them face to face, they shouldn’t fight. It all takes time but I hope this helps!


        • Blake
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            So I’ve been switching their little baby dolls back and forth every few days. I’ve also been doing the box thing together for about 10 minutes.

            Cookie is still nipping at Marshmallow. I stop it immediately and comfort then. How much should I let them squabble in the box?


          • Mikey
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              Nipping is fine, it how bunnies communicate. Fur pulling and biting (breaking skin) is whats not ok. Dont stop nipping, but stop biting


            • Vienna Blue in France
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                I know the rules, but how do you know at high-speed what is pulling and what is biting before it’s too late?


              • Mikey
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                  Nips are very fast while fur pulling and biting usually takes a few extra seconds


                • Vienna Blue in France
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                    Ok I’ll look out for them. Thanks


                  • Blake
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                      If it seems like marshmallow doesn’t like the nipping? She kinda turns around quick when it happens


                    • Mikey
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                        Its fine if she turns away or leaves, as long as she doesnt try to fight back. If you see that its starting to hurt her (any sings hes biting her skin [bruises, missing fur, blood, rough skin, ect], as nips are usually just mouth full of fur for a second), its likely a bite instead of a nip

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                    Forum BONDING Re-bonding (hopefully)