Trouble with bonding

[Liz]

My female Jack (spayed) mini rex has free range of our living room. Even just the smell of the new male holland lop really upsets her and she’ll charge you. So I’ve set Milton up in another room and we have to febreeze ourselves after interacting with Milton or Jack goes crazy. Milton is not.bothered by Jack in person or in smell. We tried introducing the two of them in a neutral space but Jack ran away and even jumped the gate to get back into the living room. I have no idea how to introduce these two and I’m afraid if I put Milton into the living room for even just a few minutes that Jack could end up hurting him. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you handle it?

[Liz]

Update: finally got both into neutral area and it’s looking good but my bunny Jack has been sitting by the living room gate ever since and won’t move. So we let them get together again and still good progress, understandable Jack won’t let Milton pass to enter the living room but they circle and smell one another. Jack is jumpy when Milton smells her but hasn’t bitten or scratched. But again once separated Jack will not leave the gate. Thoughts?

[Mikey]

They both need pens with lids or large cages, and the pens/cages need to be put next to one another. You shouldnt bond without prebonding. Prebonding is keeping them close so they can see and smell, but far enough that they cannot reach one another to fight through the bars. Prebonding is usually recommended for a month or two before starting actual bonding sessions.

[Liz]

Mikey,
Thanks so much, I’ve moved them to another room and built makeshift pens side by side and then tomorrow I will build a 5×6 pen divided down the middle to house them. I can tell Jack is not happy as she has free range of our living room, it will be quite a downgrade in space, I really hate to do it since they need room to exercise and have fun.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi Liz. Exactly a year ago i was in the same position. You must do as Mikey says for it to be successful. Jack won’t be impressed to have a smaller space but it is necessary for her to understand that she will have to share her space. Time is on your side. Don’t rush things. It will pay off. Don’t be surprised either if Jack’s toilet habits go awry.
My house rabbit is female and the new boy was introduced. And it is he now who is top bun, and so it took a while for my female to ‘give in’ to him…. but now, OMG sooooo lovely together.

Good luck

[Author]

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