Sibling Rebonding

[sana+momo]

We have two rabbits , Momo and Sana (7 months). We recently started rebonding them after they were fixed, with some good progress. We moved them to the kitchen yesterday and they spent the night together with no fights! But, Momo is quite anxious. Whenever Sana runs up to her to fast, she runs away scared to her litter box. In the beginning there was nipping from Sana (no barbering or cuts). There has been some grooming, sharing items and eating together as well. But little cuddling. Sana used to bully Momo when she was younger and I’m thinking Momo just isn’t completely ready to trust Sana yet… but Sana is ready to have a sister again! Yesterday, I saw Sana shove herself next to Momo to cuddle, but Momo did not reciprocate it hasn’t been 24 hours yet, so I’m holding out hope sisterhood will return… any other tips???

 

[John Wick]

See here for an overview of a recommended bonding process: Bonding Archives | BinkyBunny

Bonding takes time (weeks to months), especially to get those cuddling/grooming interactions you see in bonded rabbits. I recommend taking it slow and focusing on accumulating as many neutral/positive interactions as possible. Note that having litterboxes/toys in neutral space during bonding dates can cause some issues, in terms of territorialness. You do not want a dynamic of "This is mine and I'm guarding it", since the purpose of the bonding process is increasing comfort with sharing each other's space.

Hours-long dates to start are not recommended. As mentioned in the link, starting with short dates can be helpful at times. Some people disagree and go into marathon-ing. Every bond is different, but keep in mind that you usually can't go "wrong" with stopping a date short, but you can go "wrong" in keeping it going and having a fight break out as a result.

 

[sana+momo]

See here for an overview of a recommended bonding process: Bonding Archives | BinkyBunny

Bonding takes time (weeks to months), especially to get those cuddling/grooming interactions you see in bonded rabbits. I recommend taking it slow and focusing on accumulating as many neutral/positive interactions as possible. Note that having litterboxes/toys in neutral space during bonding dates can cause some issues, in terms of territorialness. You do not want a dynamic of "This is mine and I'm guarding it", since the purpose of the bonding process is increasing comfort with sharing each other's space.

Hours-long dates to start are not recommended. As mentioned in the link, starting with short dates can be helpful at times. Some people disagree and go into marathon-ing. Every bond is different, but keep in mind that you usually can't go "wrong" with stopping a date short, but you can go "wrong" in keeping it going and having a fight break out as a result.

I should have mentioned we started them out with sessions in the bathtub a few weeks before and gradually increased the space they were in + time together, and now they are in the kitchen. Since I posted this, no fights have broken out, and cuddling has begun! Momo is still a bit skiddish, but goes to Sana now for security. It's been 24hrs since we put them in the kitchen. I know the bonding seemed a bit rushed when I posted this, but they have been in the same space since they were babies, and their cages were next to each other since being fixed in July. Both were very familiar with each other! I guess we chose sort of a marathoning route, since yesterday was 2 hours in the bathroom, then moved into the kitchen.