Bonding two bunnies?

[rrjs0123]

I brought home a one and a half year old Holland Lop bunny about a month ago, and we have a very strong bond already-- he acts like a small dog, lol! I was worried about him being lonely when I'm not there, so I brought home a seven week old female to keep him company. I have introduced them to each other successfully, and though she is fairly skittish (since she is so young), she tries to get him to groom her and everything. After a few moments, she bolts, but there is zero fighting and they don't seem to mind each other's territories at all. I'm getting her fixed the MOMENT she reaches maturity for her health, and is there hope for a bond in the future? She is also fairly skittish around humans, and I'm hoping she is still able to bond with me once she gets used to me!

Both bunnies are fully litter trained and free roaming. They have PLENTY of space and toys to keep them occupied, and neither is very territorial so far at all!

Can I hope for a bond even after I get her fixed?

 

[rrjs0123]

I should add that they seek out each others' litter boxes often and purposefully, and switch constantly. Seems like a good sign?

 

[Blue eyes]

Baby bonds don't count as bonds. Just about any baby rabbit will get along with an adult rabbit-- temporarily. (Is your boy neutered?) This getting along will last until hormones kick in. At that point, anything could happen. Once hormones kick in, it is possible that they will turn aggressive towards each other and begin fighting. The difficulty in allowing them together now is being lulled into a sense of thinking they get along fine. If you don't happen to be present when that changes, they could get into a serious fight that either causes severe injury (or worse), or is bad enough that it sabotages chances of future bonding.

The other difficulty you may encounter is that they both have lots of space at the moment. Her hormones could kick in before a vet is willing to spay. So from that time when hormones kick in and through to the time it takes her to heal after surgery, the two will need to be kept separate. That means they'll claim territory and you'll be out of "neutral space" in which to re-bond them.

So after all this, it is possible that they may refuse to bond at all. It is a risk that comes with getting a baby to bond. Unfortunately, you won't know the outcome until many months from now.

Ideally, the way to find a compatible match for your boy (again, assuming he's neutered) is to allow him to choose his mate from among other already-fixed rabbits. Rabbit rescues have fixed rabbits (that cost much less than the cost of a spay). They typically allow your rabbit to meet other fixed rabbits to pre-screen for potential compatibility. Then they help guide you with bonding. If one rabbit refuses to work, then they allow an exchange until you find a compatible bondmate.

On a separate note, bear in mind that young rabbits can forget their potty training with the onset of hormones.