Bonding 2 Females

[Kim]

Hi everyone. Snow is doing well in our new home.  Now we just adopted what we were told is a dwarf/lionhead mix female named Tink off Craigslist. And very happy we did.  

I did a very brief introduction last night between Snow and Tink, when we put Tinks cage in front of Snows real quick when we brought her home. My husband opened both doors so the girls were face to face to each other, Lord I love him, luckily I got there just in time, Snow was very unhappy having this new bunny so close to her cage, and I have never seen her aggressive.  I closed their doors and moved Tinks cage to its new home.

Here is my question though. Should  I start the bonding…or should I wait? Snow is spayed….Tink is not! 

Snow is 2 years old  

Tink is 10 months

 

[Bladesmith]

It takes time, and depends on the rabbits.  I got lucky, because my Clover is insanely laid back, and doesn’t let much bother her, including Dawn (A Netherland Dwarf black otter), who once a month gets it into her fuzzy head she can dominate Clover by head humping.  Clover puts up with it, then, when she’s had enough, gives Dawn a toss of the head that sends her across the living room.  Then they go back to being cuddle buddies.  They bonded in less than a week, and from what I’m told, having 2 unfixed females bond like this is unusual.

All I can recommend is take your time and don’t rush it.  Forcing them to be friends before they’re ready could be damaging to one or both.

[Kim]

I do not want to force it by all means, they both have separate cages for right now, as Tink came with hers. And I am ok with what time it takes I want to do what is best for BOTH girls, I am not sure if having one fixed and one not will make much difference dominance wise. I have not had this issue so its new to me and will need at the help I can get with this. What history I have on Tink is brief but not the best but not the worst: She has had at least one litter of kits, was attacked by another unfixed female recently, severe enough to need to go to the vet for treatment. Wound is healed now, but owner decided to get rid of Tink due to the fighting. (She has 5 other bunnies, 1 male ,4 females, in a 1 bed room apt that is about 600 sqf) (dont say it I already said to myself).

[Deleted User]

They won’t bond unless they are both spayed. Especially females because they’re incredibly territorial. You’ll need to have both spayed. Wait 1-2 months from the second spay to start bonding. Do prebonding in the meantime. It’ll help them get acclimated to each other, as well as allow you to gauge their reactions to each other.

[Kim]

Snow is not a happy bunny if she could shoot little red eye daggers at me she would be  and want nothing to do with Tink right now but trying to attack from the her cage. They both get separate but equal playtime out of their cages so they do see each other

And smell as both cages are in the living room, so they so see each other all day but I keep playtime separate

But I have also discovered more about Tink, the wound is not completely healed on her back and she has urine scald on the bottom of her back feet, its not bad and I called my vet to make sure that what I am doing is the right thing, keeping her cage clean and dry, changing her litter boxes daily or 2 a day. and putting old towels and sheets or potty pads down to keep the moisture absorb when I am work. ( I finally got a job!!!!!) As for her feet themselves not sure how to deal with those safely. 

I have not dealt with scald before so not sure how long or what and with my work hours this week I cant get to the vet until Saturday

[Author]

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