How long should I wait to bond my bunny?

[Cara]

It's been almost a month since we adopted one-year-old Rocky from the shelter. He seems happy in his new home and we've caught him flopping once and doing a few binkies. He has warmed up to us a lot more but doesn't seek pets and still hops away if he thinks we're trying to pet him or pick him up, but other times he'll let us pet him for a little bit.

I was wondering how long I should wait to adopt another bun to bond with him? I don't want Rocky to get so used to having his own space to the point he rejects having another bun around, but I certainly don't want to rush the process either and expose him to too many changes at once.

I appreciate your thoughts on this. I've only ever had one bunny at a time so I am not sure how the timing on the bonding stuff works.

Thank you!

 

[JBun]

With bonding with your rabbit, patience and spending time sitting with your bun without forcing or pushing contact, is the best way to create a trusting relationship. Initially this usually works better by being in a smaller area like an xpen or bathroom, so your bun can't just avoid being around you. Some rabbits this can be quite the process, and can take some time to earn their trust. For these rabbits especially, it's extremely important to never try and pick up your rabbit(except when absolutely necessary) or it can damage any trust your rabbit has built with you.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
As for bonding with another bun, you have to have a neutral area to bond anyways, so him being used to his own space now isn't really much of a point. He most certainly already considers that his territory.

Don't rush it. Do your homework, make sure it's the right time and you're ready for it, and make sure you understand rabbit body language and the bonding process.

http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-bunnies.html
http://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

 

[Cara]

With bonding with your rabbit, patience and spending time sitting with your bun without forcing or pushing contact, is the best way to create a trusting relationship. Initially this usually works better by being in a smaller area like an xpen or bathroom, so your bun can't just avoid being around you. Some rabbits this can be quite the process, and can take some time to earn their trust. For these rabbits especially, it's extremely important to never try and pick up your rabbit(except when absolutely necessary) or it can damage any trust your rabbit has built with you.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
As for bonding with another bun, you have to have a neutral area to bond anyways, so him being used to his own space now isn't really much of a point. He most certainly already considers that his territory.

Don't rush it. Do your homework, make sure it's the right time and you're ready for it, and make sure you understand rabbit body language and the bonding process.

http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-bunnies.html
http://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

Thank you for the info! I will do some more research on bonding and make sure everyone's ready before starting the process