Bonding with a female

[archilife20]

I have a 5 month old female Dutch rabbit. She is really friendly to me and any person, but she does not like other rabbits. My main reason for coming onto this forum is to find a way for her to like other rabbits. I brought in another female (I learned this was a mistake) that was about her age and they absolutely did not get along. I decided to sell the dwarf I got to pair with Dutchess. A local pet shop has several baby rabbits (about a month old). I was wondering if she would pair better since she is younger? Maybe their won't be a conflict in hormones. I know that spaying her will help, but I am wondering if there is a way to go about bonding without having to spay.

 

[Yield]

Bonding without a spay IS possible, but if you get a boy, and he's not neutered, and you bond them.. there is a HIGH chance of pregnancy. Which I heard is NOT easy. Girl x Girl without spaying is nearly impossible. I have heard of people getting neutered males and bonding them with an unspayed female... but remember, spaying prolongs the bun's life, makes it happier... just wait. Once your girl is at 6 months, she's gunna go through her "terrible teens". She might get aggressive, ornery, and messy. Some may not.. but there is a high chance. Also, if they are spayed, your bun has a less of a chance of getting uterine cancer when she gets older. But I know spaying isn't always possible... I wish you luck, in whatever you choose



x Bailee

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

1 month is really too young for a rabbit to be weaned, let alone sold. I would avoid getting one of these rabbits, even when they get older.
Try to find a breeder who doesn't wean until at least 6 weeks, preferably a bit older. The rabbits should not be sold until at least 8 weeks.

Very young rabbits will probably get along with just about any rabbit. They would really just be wanting to cuddle and feel safe.
Even if they did get along at first, the young rabbit will grow up and the hormones will come in (unless you get her spayed at 5-6 months). If the 2 rabbits get along at first, they can still fight once the younger one is older.

If your rabbit doesn't like other rabbits, getting her spayed would be a really good idea. It doesn't matter the sex or personality of another rabbit if yours is the one who may start a fight. The other rabbit could be spayed or neutered, a bit older and gets along with other rabbits, but your rabbit could make bonding impossible.
You can't really make a rabbit like other rabbits. Spaying can help, but some rabbits just don't get along with other rabbits. Even if you can work with her on bonding with another rabbit, there is a chance it won't happen.

Your best bet at a successful bond is to get her spayed and try with a neutered adult male. Both will have fewer hormones and that should make it easier to bond them.
You can try just getting a neutered male.

 

[Whiskerz]

Yeah, I'd say try getting a neutered male. You might have some luck.

 

[archilife20]

Okay. I just know that spaying is rather expensive, but it sounds like I should get her spayed even if I don't try to bond her.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

talk to some of the rescues in your area--they may be able to steer you toward a reasonable priced Doctor. Where we used to live it varied anywhere from $420 to $360. A 15 mile drive dropped the cost to $125 and the vet there did lots and lots of bunnies.

 

[archilife20]

I called a vet that was recommended and works with rabbits and they quoted me $480 to $505 depending on what they need during the procedure. kinda expensive, but Im going to keep looking. Dutchess hasn't shown any signs of potential aggressive behavior towards me. She likes to lick me and cuddle. Hopefully it will stay that way. lol

 

[Pet_Bunny]

That sounds very steep for fixing a rabbit. It cost me $250 to get my Holland Lop spayed.

However, you can get bunnies at our shelter for $50 already fixed.