Bonding advise please

Hi

I havent been here for ages so i appologise lol but I have 4 rabbbits and one of my boys has always been somewhat tempermental mainly territorial when in his cage (indoor rabbit) he is very vocal grunting lunging etc but when he is out he is very loveable and enjoys cuddles
I have tried bonding him once before but it wasnt successful, but my youngest doe is being spayed soon and is extrenmely laid back and very friendly, do you think its worth a go or is he likely to become territorial/aggressive towards her giving his temperament?

Thanks

Definately worth a go. Is he neutered? Do the bond somewhere totally neutral and see what happens. x

He is coming up 3 years and was castrated at around 16 weeks old, he reminds me of an entire doe that is extremely hormonal its so odd! He has always been like it. I have a good friend who has bonded lots of bunnies and is part of a rescue who has offered to try for me so hopefully after christmas my 4 will be in 2 pairs, i dont mind who goes with who i just want them to be happy

Thanks for your reply

Some bunnies are just too aggressive to be paired or get too distressed by the prospect and are just destine to be single bunnies. I guess we are all different. I would give it a try and if it doesn't work just write it off hun Silly bunny.

Hiya, probably best to wait at least a couple of weeks until after your girl is speyed, let the hormones settle and her recover. As Charlotte said, needs to be in neutral territory, some people put a towel in the bath and use that, or a room that your boy doesn't ever go in.

There's lots of bonding threads on the forum, if you click here, and have a read through them, you'll find lots of different ideas.

If you do go ahead and it's successful, it would be a good idea to de-scent his cage before putting them both back in, so that he doesn't get territorial about that too. Use 1:10 solution of biological washing powder/liquid, and wipe down with that. When it's dry, go over it with surgical spirit.

Ask any more info you want to

Thank you so much for your quick replies its greatly appreciated When i tried to bond Lynx (bunny in question) and Amber i had to take amber to work at 10pm to be stapled as he ripped skin on her shoulder so im not holding my breath that it will work with another bunny but i have to try before saying he will be solitary

If you start by putting putting them in carriers next to each other and leave them for an hour or so, so that they can get used to each others smell, then put them on a slippy surface (bath, wooden or laminate floor) and wear a pair of thick gloves to separate them if needs be. The floor will prevent aggressive mounting, as they can't get a grip. Once your fairly confident that there won't be any undue aggression, move them onto a towel, or rug, give them food to share, but stay with them and keep vigilant. If one tries to mount the other front end, rather than back end, separate them, as this could end up in genital damage

Thanks for that. I will disinfect the cage as you advised and keep a very close eye on them! Hopefully i will take Luna to be spayed next week and then leave it a month or so to give her chance to heal properly, she is just 16 weeks at the moment so she isnt hormonal at all

Just thought i would update you on Lynx, he went to the vet last night for his metacam check and i asked him to check his eyes just incase there was a problem and there is, the vet doesnt think he can see a lot at all, his eyes react to light but when he was seeing if he would react to anything coming towards his eyes..nothing, he actually had to stop otherwise he would have poked him in the eye and he said behind his left eye is normal but the right one doesnt look normal, he doesnt understand whats going on but he says whatever it is its not a common problem and could be complicated! So he is looking to ring specialist rabbit vets today for further advice poor boy, that explains his attitude and jumpy behaviour

Oh ok, poor Lynx. Glad your vet is seeking a specialist though, I hope they come up with an answer.

Me too! He has already been referred to Langford for lung problems and had to be nebulized/medicated for months but now is doing really well as a house bun on daily metacam so hopefully we can sort something for him this time too

Poor chap, I wonder if this explains his unusual aggression. Maybe his impaired vision makes him particularly nervous? You sound like an excellent bunny mum btw

Catswhiskas wrote:Poor chap, I wonder if this explains his unusual aggression. Maybe his impaired vision makes him particularly nervous? You sound like an excellent bunny mum btw

Aw thank you My bunnies mean everything to me and i love them all very much, i think his impaired vision is probably the reason for his aggression and nervousness but in a way im glad i know what the problem is and i can now start trying to do something about it, im not sure where we go from here, i guess he will need scans etc and further investigation and if thats what he needs thats what he will get

Bless your heart. My animals mean everything to me too. I literally would die for them. So I know what you mean. He is in the best hands with you and I am sure it will all work out, whatever you decide. You have us too!

This forum has been fab i have to say, i did post on another and got next to no help at all so i really appreciate your quick replies and advice, i will keep you updated with ickle boys progress

Have you told him that he should have gone to Specsavers yet?

haha no i must do that!! lol

This is Lynx

Is he a Rex? What a stunner

No he is an english spot, i have 3 english spots and a marten sable

His fur looks Rex like.... stunning....

Thanks just put pics up of the others in my previous post

Beautiful buns hun, get them their own thread and show them off in Photoshoots

They are stunning bunnies.

I think his behaviour is definitely explained by his lack of sight. Must be really scary for him, especially is the sight has diminished over time. He's a lucky bunny having you as a mummy. Keep us updated.

I will keep you all updated, i will chat with the vet today when i start work and see what he has found out, i am just hoping and praying its nothing nasty behind his eye I just want him referred asap so we can hopefully do something for him, im just glad he is on metacam already because at least that means he is pain free