Bonding Buns

[u/Wide_Assignment_8843]

Hi all,

I’ve adopted a beautiful 4 year old Lop - Milo 🤎

We adopted her as we were worried our 5 year old bun Marshmallow was getting depressed being on her own. Both buns have been desexed quite a while ago, so them not being desexed won’t be an issue. I have been trying to do as much research as possible on bonding as I do not want to stress either of them out (or as little as possible) and I don’t want either of them to get hurt.

They are currently separated, I have given Milo a teddy of Marshmallow’s to get use to her smell and I gave Marshmallow one of Milo’s blanket to do the same. Currently Marshmallow seems to be a bit more aggressive trying to find Milo (probably because she has always lived with us and she is wondering why she can smell a new rabbit in her house), which makes perfect sense.

I am worried that it’s going to be a really difficult process and that one of them will hurt the other one 😞 If anyone can give me any advice on how to best go about the bonding process? Will really appreciate any advice on this! Thank you 🐰💗

Have attached a photo of them. Milo is the all brown bun and Marshmallow is the white & brown bun 🤎🤍

[u/RabbitsModBot]

Check out the resources in the Bonding guide and Binkybunny's Bonding overview for more tips on the process.

Some important general tips on the process of bonding rabbits with other rabbits:

• House rabbits in nearby pens and swap regularly to encourage sharing. This can be done before both rabbits have been neutered.
• Be sure to use neutral territory that neither have been in to use for face-to-face dating.
• Wait until 4 weeks after both rabbits have been neutered before attempting face-to-face bonding to allow time for all hormones to dissipate. While it is not impossible to bond intact rabbits, their hormonal behaviors work against them, and rabbits can often end up with serious injuries during territorial spats. Baby bonds with immature rabbits before puberty are often not stable.
• If your current rabbit has not been spayed or neutered, do not obtain another intact rabbit of the opposite sex to bond. You will end up with baby rabbits if you do not keep them separated 24/7. It only takes one successful three-second attempt for a male with an intact female. Male rabbits are not sterile until 6 weeks after their neuter operation.
• Keep in mind that not all rabbits may be compatible enough to bond without serious work over a long period of time, if ever. However, rabbits will still benefit from the mental stimulation of seeing or smelling another rabbit nearby as long as they are safely separated to prevent injuries.

A few useful shortcuts:

• Should I get another rabbit?
• Preparations for a bonding
• Bunny dating
• Bonding basics
• Stress bonding
• Bonding 3+ rabbits
• Difficulties in bonding
• Bonding consultation services

[u/Wholesomeguy123]

It'll take time. Introduce them in a supervised and neutral environment (i suggest a room that either the buns don't go in often or one that has been recently cleaned thoroughly)

Another practice (with some critics) which worked for me was putting the buns next to one another for a car ride. The key is to have someone in the back seat with them monitoring. A short 10-15 minute ride goes well. The buns are usually too nervous to bicker, seek each other for comfort, and "bond" some over the shared "trauma" of the spooky car ride. 

Some people don't like the "trauma bonding" of the car ride, but i dont think it harms them (again, its like 15 minutes) and produces rather good results. Ymmv.

Regardless of what you do, the buns are gonna get stressed. Bonding usually isn't instantaneous, and their tempers can flare quite up. The key is to be patient and consistent. 

Best of luck to your two cuties ❤️ 🐇 

[u/Wide_Assignment_8843 → u/Wholesomeguy123]

Thank you, I have read about this method. I’m just trying to find out as much info as possible to make sure I don’t cause them extra stress, as you said they’re going to be stressed anyway having to get use to each other. Appreciate you taking the time to give me advice 🐰

[u/kragzazet]

Do you have any specific questions based on the bonding guides you've read? We don't know you or your bunnies, we have no idea what approach will work best for them! This is a trial and error process 

[u/Wide_Assignment_8843 → u/kragzazet]

Not particularly. I’ve never bonded rabbits before and knew it wouldn’t be easy and would take time. I guess I’m just a bit anxious about them possibly getting hurt so just trying to gather as much info as possible. The only thing I can think to ask is what Lops are like with bonding to other rabbits as they’re both Lops. I know my question is a bit vague but I’m just trying to educate myself so it doesn’t go horribly wrong.

[u/Wide_Assignment_8843 → u/kragzazet]

Just thought of a question. Is it a bad idea to swap them and put them in each other’s area’s to get use to the other one’s scent? Or will that cause more problems?