Bonding Advice

Let's talk about Bonding...

Alright, so you're looking to get your bunnies to be the best of pals, are ye? Grand! It's a lovely thing altogether when they're all snuggled up. But listen, it's not always as simple as just chucking them in together and hoping for the best, you know? There's a bit of a knack to it, but sure, we'll get you sorted. Think of me as your bunny matchmaker, here to give you the lowdown.

First Up: Getting Them Ready for the Big Meet-Up

Before your rabbits even clap eyes on each other properly, there are a few bits and pieces you absolutely have to get squared away:

1. The Snip...So Important! This is the main one, no messing. Both your buck (the fella) and your doe (the lady) – or whatever combination you have – need to be done. That’s neutered for the lads and spayed for the girls. And give it a good month, maybe six weeks, after the operation before you even think about introductions. It just chills them out, takes away that hormonal carry-on, and makes them far less likely to be squaring up to each other. Plus, no surprise little ones, which is always a bonus!

2. A Quick Check with the Vet: Make sure both your bunnies are sound as a pound. If one of them is feeling a bit off, the stress of meeting a new face won't do them any good at all. A visit to a vet who knows their rabbits is a good plan.

3. Who Are We Talking About Here? Now, sometimes if you’re getting one from a rescue, they might have an idea of who’d be a good match. Often, a neutered fella and a spayed girl will get on like a house on fire. But at the end of the day, it’s all about their personalities, isn't it? If you have a bit of a bossy one, a more chilled-out bunny might be the ticket. Similar ages and energy can help too – you wouldn’t want a young one tormenting an old dear! But that won't be set in stone.

4. Separate Digs for Now: You’ll want to set them up in separate cages or pens, but where they can still see and sniff each other – maybe a few inches apart. It just gets them used to the idea that there’s another rabbit about the place, without any pressure. I recommend 4 weeks minimum before the first date.

5. Swapping Scents – A Bit of Olfactory Espionage! This is a good little trick. Take things from one rabbit's area and pop them into the other’s – and vice versa. We’re talking a bit of their bedding, a toy, even a tiny bit of used litter from their tray (I know, glamorous!). You can also give one a pet, then go straight to the other, so your hands have a bit of both their smells. It just makes them more familiar with each other before the big day.

The Main Event: Taking it Nice and Easy

Right, this is where the magic (hopefully!) happens. But remember, patience is your best friend here. This could take a few days, a few weeks, or even a couple of months. Don't be rushing them, now.

1. Neutral Ground is Your Only Man: The first time they properly meet has to be somewhere completely new to both of them. The bathroom, a hallway, maybe a bit of the garden they’ve never been in before. The whole idea is that neither of them feels like it’s their patch they need to defend. Keep it clear of any toys or bits they might get possessive over.

2. First Introductions – Short, Sweet, and Keep Your Wits About You:

   • Keep the first few sessions brief, maybe 10 or 15 minutes.

   • Make sure the place is safe, no gaps they can leg it through. A couple of water bowls and a scattering of nice hay or some fresh greens can give them something to do together, maybe even munch side-by-side, which is a good sign.

   • You need to be there, watching them like a hawk. Maybe have a pair of gloves and a towel or even a sweeping brush (the soft end!) handy, just in case you need to separate them if things get a bit hairy.

   • What You Might See: A bit of chasing is normal, and one might try to jump on the other – lads or lasses, they do it to sort out who’s the boss. A bit of nipping or even a tuft of fur pulled isn't the end of the world.

   • Alarm Bells: If they go at it hammer and tongs straight away, like a proper furry tornado, that’s a bad sign, and you need to get them apart pronto. Lots of angry grunting or proper boxing matches are also red flags.

   • Try to finish up when things are calm, or at least not too heated. If it’s getting tense, better to call it a day.

3. Little by Little, Longer Visits: If the short sessions are going alright, with no major dramas, you can slowly start making them a bit longer.

4. Often is Better Than Long: A few short meet-ups every day, or every other day, usually works better than one long, stressful session.

5. Minor Scuffles: If there are small disagreements, some folks find that putting them in a pet carrier together and going for a short spin in the car (or a walk for those without a car) can work wonders. The slightly odd situation can sometimes make them look to each other for a bit of comfort. Use this one with a bit of caution, as it should only be for strenghening a bond, not creating one - that always ends in disaster.

6. A Bit of TLC: When they’re in the neutral spot, try giving them both a gentle pet at the same time, one with each hand. It can help them relax in each other's company. A treat for each always goes down well, just make sure there's no favourites!

7. Hidey-Holes (Later On): For the very first meetings, an open space is best so you can see what’s what. Once they’re a bit more used to each other, make sure there are a few places to hide, like cardboard boxes with two ways in and out, so no one gets cornered. Always have at least one per bunny, and an extra one for good measure.

Reading the Signs: Are They Getting On, Or Is It All Going Pear-Shaped?

You’ll need to learn their little ways and what their body language is telling you:

• Good Signs (Things are Looking Up!):

  • Ignoring each other – believe it or not, this is often a decent start. Better than a fight, any day!

  • Sitting or lying down near each other, even if they’re not touching.

  • Eating side-by-side. That’s a great one and should be encouraged!

  • The Holy Grail: Grooming each other. If you see them cleaning each other's fur, you’re onto a winner. One might even pop their head down, asking for a groom – that’s pure trust.

  • Copying each other – like both stretching out at the same time.

  • Sharing a litter tray (though you might get a bit of territorial marking at first, that’s normal enough).

  • Relaxing or even having a bit of a play together.

  • Cuddling up or sleeping beside each other – ah, that’s the dream!

• Warning Signs (Time to Step In or Have a Rethink):

  • Constant, fierce chasing where one rabbit is clearly terrified out of its wits.

  • Proper fighting, where they’re biting and could really hurt each other. That "bunny tornado" we talked about – stop it straight away.

  • Non-stop growling, lunging, or thumping their back feet.

  • One rabbit always stopping the other from getting to food, water, or a safe hiding spot.

  • No improvement, or things actually getting worse, after you’ve tried a good few times.

What If It’s Not Going to Plan? A Bit of Troubleshooting

• Fighting: If a real scrap breaks out, separate them immediately. Go back to square one – separate living, swapping their bits and pieces – for a week or two. Then try again in a different neutral spot. You might just be moving a bit too quick for them.

• Who’s the Boss Around Here? A bit of mounting, chasing, and nipping is how they work out who’s top dog (or top bunny!). This is usually grand as long as it doesn't turn into serious bullying and one isn't living in fear. The one that’s not the boss will usually show they accept it (like letting the other groom them or putting their head down).

• "This Neutral Zone is MINE!" If one of them starts acting like the neutral area is their own personal kingdom, you’ll need to find a new neutral spot. And give the old one a fierce good cleaning to get rid of all the smells before you try again.

• This is Taking Forever! Some bunnies just take a bit longer to click. As long as you’re seeing some slow progress and there’s no major aggression, just keep the faith and be patient.

• When It’s Just Not Meant to Be: Look, sometimes, no matter what you do, some rabbits just won’t take to each other. If it’s constant war despite your best efforts, you might just have to call it a day and accept they’re better off living as happy singletons, or maybe try pairing them with different bunnies altogether. It happens.

Moving In Together: The Big Cohabitation!

Once your rabbits are consistently getting on well in the neutral space for good long stretches (a few hours at a time) without any shenanigans, you can start thinking about them moving into their permanent shared accommodation.

1. A Proper Spring Clean: Before they move in, give their intended shared home (and everything in it – litter trays, bowls, hidey-holes) a massive scrub down with a pet-safe cleaner (a bit of white vinegar and water, rinsed off well, does the job). You want to get rid of any old smells that might make them antsy. Maybe even rearrange the furniture a bit so it feels like a new gaff to both of them.

2. Plenty for All: Make sure there are loads of everything. Multiple food bowls, water sources, litter trays, and hiding spots – at least one for each rabbit, plus an extra one just in case. This stops any arguments over who gets what.

3. Keep an Eye Out: Watch them closely for the first few days in their new shared home. You might see a little bit of "just reminding you who’s in charge" behaviour, but it shouldn't be anything too serious.

4. Never Split Up a Bonded Pair (Unless the Vet Says So!): Once they’re properly bonded, they’re like two peas in a pod. Separating them can cause a lot of upset and you might have to go through the whole palaver of bonding them all over again. If one needs to go to the vet, it’s often best to bring their pal along for the ride for a bit of moral support.

So there you go! Getting bunnies to bond takes a bit of work and a fair dollop of patience, but seeing them snuggled up and happy together is a great reward. Every pair is different, so just go at their pace and watch how they’re getting on. And if you’re really scratching your head, drop me a message and I can always give you a bit of advice. Best of luck with it!

Séan