Rabbit bonding problems

[Rita Iacarella]

My 2 year old female dwarf rabbit lost her partner recently so I adopted another 2 year old female dwarf rabbit from the Humane society. Both are fixed. The new rabbit has not experienced bonding with another rabbit and probably had minimal human contact. She was surrendered to the Humane Society with two other rabbits but none of the three were bonded. My question is can a two year old rabbit who has not had a bond with another rabbit learn to get along with one. Needless to say they were fighting the minute we put them together. We spend two weeks keeping their cages close and no face to face meetings until three days ago. We followed the bonding directions and kept the meetings short and in neutral territory. We have tried the bathtub as well which was slightly better. Do you think we should keep trying or should we return her for someone else to adopt who just wants one rabbit. Want to do the right thing by both rabbits. Thanks, Rita

 

[Sweethoneybunnies]

Hello! I understand the stress when it comes to rabbits. I have a mother and son pair. Even with both of them fixed, and many bonding sessions, they still weren’t getting along. I pushed through and decided to do one long bonding session for almost a whole day. I thought I was ready to move, but after moving. My boy decided to pick on her again. I followed the advice of a fellow member and bonded them in their permanent location. It went amazing! They have been together for about a year now. Sometimes they get on each other’s nerves but I know they would never want to be a part. The point I am getting is don’t give up! You might also be struggling more cause they are both female. Maybe if you have to time, try to do a very long bonding session and see how it goes. Good luck!
Oh also almost forgot! Two years is pretty young, Kimchi was around 2 when I bonded her to Tofu. I don’t know much of her background since I got her as a pregnant adult. I don’t think she really even had contact with people too. She was still learning to be a bunny when I had taken her home! I think when it comes to rabbits being with their own kind is instinctual. It’s just getting through the territorial nature is the hardest.

 

[Blue eyes]

My question is can a two year old rabbit who has not had a bond with another rabbit learn to get along with one. . Do you think we should keep trying or should we return her for someone else to adopt who just wants one rabbit. Want to do the right thing by both rabbits. Thanks, Rita

To answer your first question, absolutely. A 2 year old rabbit in those circumstances certainly can bond with another rabbit. The question, though, isn't whether she can bond with another rabbit, but whether she can bond with YOUR rabbit. Rabbits can be unusually choosey about which rabbit they will agree to get along with. I had one female who rejected 2 males before deciding to like a 3rd.

As to your 2nd question, that's a judgement call. If the rabbits are constantly stressed with the bonding process and aren't making obvious progress, then I'd lean toward not forcing it. Others have different opinions, but bond attempts that start out with fighting, even if they eventually have a truce, may end up with a bond that, over the long term, is always precarious. You are in the best position to make that call since you are the one witnessing their interactions.

If you do return the new rabbit, I would not presume that she can't get along with a different rabbit. She may just need to find the "right one."

I'd encourage you to find a rabbit rescue (as opposed to the Humane Society). The rescues know their rabbits and will allow one to pre-screen for potential compatibility. They usually have you bring your rabbit in so she can meet other potentials. They will help you find that compatible match. If one doesn't work out, they allow an exchange (typically).

I believe there are a few rescues in MN. I'll see if I can find them and add to this post.

This one has many rabbits available. They also have a meet & greet this Saturday (rsvp) at a Petsmart half hour away.
https://www.rabbitrescueofmn.com/
Here's another one just half hour away:
https://mcrs.squarespace.com/

 

[zuppa]

My 2 year old female dwarf rabbit lost her partner recently so I adopted another 2 year old female dwarf rabbit from the Humane society. Both are fixed. The new rabbit has not experienced bonding with another rabbit and probably had minimal human contact. She was surrendered to the Humane Society with two other rabbits but none of the three were bonded. My question is can a two year old rabbit who has not had a bond with another rabbit learn to get along with one. Needless to say they were fighting the minute we put them together. We spend two weeks keeping their cages close and no face to face meetings until three days ago. We followed the bonding directions and kept the meetings short and in neutral territory. We have tried the bathtub as well which was slightly better. Do you think we should keep trying or should we return her for someone else to adopt who just wants one rabbit. Want to do the right thing by both rabbits. Thanks, Rita

Hi, age is no problem I think it depends on personalities and many more other things, how they understand each other, their sense of security, their current mood etc. I have adopted 1 year and a half fixed girl in January and bonded to a male 8 months old, who was unfixed then. Went brilliantly. Now he is fixed and I've added another 2 year old unfixed female I expected difficulties since she is a bit bossy with other rabbits, but went really smoothly, she just accepted her supremacy and the boy (neutered 2+ months ago) is very sweet as always and licked her face on arrival so like 20 mins after they all three flopped together and she was in the middle of them it was like a big and fluffy bunny-rug.

With bonding you never know. Sometimes you have two bunnies and in theory they (will look lovely together) and really should bond and all but they don't. And opposite, you never know.

 

[Rita Iacarella]

Thank you so much for the advice. It is a long hard road with bunny bonding. My current female did not like my older male initially two years ago but over time they did bond and it was a wonderful thing to behold. They literally had eyes only for each other. I feel like my rabbit Boo is interested but the adopted bunny June Bug is much too anxious. I think we will keep trying and it does help to know others have gone through this process and had some success. I might check out the meet and greet to see if maybe it is Boo who is picky. What happens it you just sign up for three rabbits when one is odd girl out? Thanks again. Rita

 

[Lucas the Bun 💕🐇]

Please check out red thing in the "toes" please please please pleass

 

[Lucas the Bun 💕🐇]

Please check out red thing in the "toes" please please please pleass

Thread /post

 

[Mac189]

Thank you so much for the advice. It is a long hard road with bunny bonding. My current female did not like my older male initially two years ago but over time they did bond and it was a wonderful thing to behold. They literally had eyes only for each other. I feel like my rabbit Boo is interested but the adopted bunny June Bug is much too anxious. I think we will keep trying and it does help to know others have gone through this process and had some success. I might check out the meet and greet to see if maybe it is Boo who is picky. What happens it you just sign up for three rabbits when one is odd girl out? Thanks again. Rita

It sounds like you're really doing your due diligence and trying to bond your rabbits in a very conscientious way. Any chance you know how recently June Bug was spayed? She may still be a bit hormonal and that could potentially be a slight roadblock.

I know that it can often complicate thing when trying to bond three rabbits, especially when two are males. While it can work beautifully, sometimes adding a third bunny can break up a bonded pair, especially two males playing for the affection of one female. The best of luck to you and I hope your bunnies bond successfully!

 

[Rita Iacarella]

Actually it is just the two females. My older Male died a month ago. He was nine and Boo is two. So I adopted June Bug at the Humane society two weeks ago. I will check on when she was fixed. Your right that might one of the problems. My husband said maybe we just keep both and keep them separate at all times but I really want the
bond.Thanks for the advice. Rita