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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.

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Forum BONDING Can any rabbit bond with another?

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    • Shalerb93
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        We have tried multiple strategies to bond our two wonderful additions of the family. Lucy is a female lion-head/cottontail mix and Merlin is male silver marten. From simple speed dates to rides in the car to induce stress, we have been unsuccessful in our ambitions to bond these two. It seems that Merlin is more infatuated with Lucy than she is towards him, as he actively grooms her ears and head. Lucy however has yet to even bat an eyelash at poor Merlin (they have been in the process of bonding for 6 months now).

        This is why I am typing this small biography of their courtship dance because we are worried they may never successfully bond.

        Any insights, tips/tricks, etc. are gratefully and welcomed!
         


      • Mikey
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          It is very possible that two rabbits wont like one another. Not every bunny will get along just like not every human will get along

          But i have to ask: what isnt working about the bond? Him grooming her and taking care of her is normal and signs of a very successful bond. It just means that she is the alpha and he is the submissive one; there is nothing wrong with that Is she attacking him, or is he attacking her? Is there chasing? Fur pulling? Boxing?


        • Theo&Leo
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            I have found that sometimes female buns can be like that. My one female for a few months didn’t really get the concept of affection and would either shy away or just sit there. It took some time for her getting used to my male buns grooming before I saw any grooming back. So long as they are neutered/spayed and aren’t fighting then I wouldn’t see this as a bad sign. 

            I suggest to just continue the bonding in neutral areas and just keep assessing her reaction. Eventually you will see some sort of reaction whether it be a negative one or a positive. Let them spend time eating and interacting with each other before you give up. Even if they were to fight you can still bond them its just going to take time. It took a full year to get my three bunnies together but it is possible!

            My one piece of advice is to make it so they are forced to eat/play/poop near each other whether it be divided by caging or not. This is where they socialize the most and could help her become more focused on him.


          • Shalerb93
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              @Mikey – They do fight sometimes. Often it would be Merlin attacking Lucy because she does not groom him back or Lucy will bite Merlin if he nibbles too hard.

              @HouseBunnyDiaries – Yes they are both fixed. We have their habitat set up so they are next to one another during the night and then when daytime comes we allow one out for 8 hours and the other out for 8 hours. Normally they are around each other constantly (separated by X-pens).


            • Mikey
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                What happens during their fights?

                Are you sure Lucy is biting Merlin and not nipping him? Nips are fine and not aggressive, unless it turns into a fight. Biting leads to broken skin and/or fur pulling. A nip is a quick and weak ‘bite’ telling the other rabbit that they are not happy

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            Forum BONDING Can any rabbit bond with another?