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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 Peaceful coexistence vs bonded

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    • Snickers&Marshmallow
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        The bonding process seemed remarkably easy with our two neutered brothers (Snickers and Marshmallow). Some humping at the beginning but no fighting. They have been back in their normal shared space for about a week. My question is that although they coexist very peaceably (eating together, not minding each other in their space, they don’t seem “bonded.” They don’t snuggle up to each other, groom each other, etc. Marshmallow “asks” to be groomed (putting head low under Snickers’ head) but Snickers just ignores him and hops away. I’ve tried stress bonding then and although they cuddle up in the carrier, as soon as they are home, they pretty much ignore each other. Do you have any advice on how to bond them closer?


      • Cheesecake
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          You could try reducing the size of their cage so they’re forced together, time should allow them to get closer


        • Vienna Blue in France
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            Have you tried a bit of banana juice on their heads or backs to encourage grooming ?
            You could do this maybe in the carrier if they don’t mind each other’s presence….

            I repeat something another member said recently which was ‘ The absence of negative actions does not translate as positive actions ‘

            Which means… just because they are not fighting doesn’t mean they might not.
            If there is not any POSITIVE from BOTH buns…. I wouldn’t leave them alone in case one decides he has had enough and ‘lashes out’… it’s not definite one would… but it’s better to be safe than sorry.


          • Snickers&Marshmallow
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              Oh wow, I didn’t even consider that they still may be unsafe around each other. Thank you for the advice, Vienna and Cheesecake! I’ll definitely move them into a smaller cage and put “yummies” on their heads to see if they start snuggling more. The strange thing is that they actually did snuggle quite a bit at the beginning – and groomed each other with gusto. But now they have completely stopped that and seem to just do their own thing. Do you think a close bond is still possible? I want the bunnies to really love each other and not just live side by side! I have the option of separating these two and then starting from scratch with trying to bond them each with their own girl bunny but I’d like them to bond with each other if possible. Do you think it’s likely that they will get closer?


            • Vienna Blue in France
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                Yes absolutely it’s possible (unless you want another 2 girly bunnies (LOL) then I ‘could’ say it’s not possible just to help you get another 2 !! LOL ) – but there’s no guarantee of the other 2 bonding with your current 2….

                What age are they now?
                When were they neutered?
                At what age were they snuggling together ‘at the beginning’ ?

                It’s surely hormones which are playing a part in all this.

                They may not be ‘unsafe’ around each other, but better to be 101% safe than a little bit sorry !!

                If you do separate them during your absence, make sure you swap them over in the different sides so they share the same spaces and get used to the other’s smells

                We’d love it if you could keep us updated

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            Forum BONDING Peaceful coexistence vs bonded