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 Prebonding vs neutral territory and getting a new rabbit

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Floppy
      Participant
      84 posts Send Private Message

        I have researched into bonding a lot and have found a lot of conflicting info.

        I have agreed to provisionally adopt a 1 year old spayed female rabbit as a potential partner for Casper, I will be collecting her after Casper is neutered in mid June. It is a 30 minute journey for the new rabbit to my home. Should I keep her in a seperate room to begin with? The other room has my hamsters in it, is this an issue?

        The family are rehoming her because they say she would not bond with their existing rabbit and that their rabbit isn’t good with kids, I don’t have kids.

        What are opinions here on prebonding first vs neutral territory meetings first? Do I need to wait a month after my rabbit has been neutered, even though she is spayed? Even for pre bonding? (Putting cages together)


      • BunnyFriends
        Participant
        383 posts Send Private Message

          It’s alright if they’re in the same room, just make sure there’s always a few inches of space between cages so no biting or mating (for unfixed buns) occurs. Hamsters also shouldn’t be a problem as long as neither can access the other.

          Pre bonding should be fine, just give a week or two for her to settle down. It’s just swapping items and seeing each other so it’s okay. And yes, you should wait a month so he heals and the hormones die down.


        • sarahthegemini
          Participant
          5584 posts Send Private Message

            Both pre-bonding and neutral territory are essential, it’s not a one or the other type of thing. You need to let your new bun settle in. After a couple of weeks you can begin pre-bonding, then after a month or so you can begin actual bonding on neutral territory. 


          • Floppy
            Participant
            84 posts Send Private Message

              Thanks for replies I’m still confused? Should I let the new rabbit settle in before putting her in same room as existing rabbit? Then progress to having the cages in the same room and then meeting on neutral territory ?

              Sorry if I’m being a bit dumb


            • sarahthegemini
              Participant
              5584 posts Send Private Message

                Posted By Floppy on 5/16/2017 5:58 AM

                Thanks for replies I’m still confused? Should I let the new rabbit settle in before putting her in same room as existing rabbit? Then progress to having the cages in the same room and then meeting on neutral territory ?

                Sorry if I’m being a bit dumb

                Don’t be silly, you’re not being dumb

                I suppose it depends on how your current bun would react. I would probably put new bun in another room and then after a week or two (so new bun can settle a bit) do some scent swapping (litter trays, blankets etc) and then move new bun to the same room as current bun. Continue with scent swapping/pre-bonding and then proceed with a meeting on neutral territory


              • vanessa
                Participant
                2212 posts Send Private Message

                  I agree with Sarah. Although I wouldn’t either see the harm in letting the new bunny settle in same room with enough distance between the cages – it depends on how your current bun reacts.

              Viewing 5 reply threads
              • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

              Forum BONDING Prebonding vs neutral territory and getting a new rabbit