my partner and I are adopting another bunny at the end of the month. his name is theodore, and he is 9 months old. we have an appointment with our vet a week after he comes home to get him checked out and do his bloodwork out of the way so we can schedule his neuter. we will continue to keep them separate until at least 4-5 weeks after his surgery.
but after that, i’m lost lol!! I have no idea how to bond two boys, and I need all the help I can get from this lovely community.
bentley is the sweetest, most gentle boy you’ll ever meet. (he is 14 months old, and has been neutered since he was 9 months) when we meet theo, and as we get to know him better, I will post again with a full breakdown of their personalities and will probably ask for more advice. 🙂
edit: I have experience with bonding rabbits, just not two males. i’m fully prepared to keep them separate if the bonding doesn’t work out, this bun needed a home and I won’t be rehoming anyone if it comes to it. they both have extremely sweet personalities and have both gotten along well with other bunnies independently. bentley loves other animals, especially my cats. i’m hopeful about this but definitely cautious, thank you guys for all the advice!!
by vvioletrii
6 Comments
Be prepared to keep them separated if they do not bond, dedicated space for each. Bonding is not a guarantee just because you want them too. The bunnies have a choice.
The best way to get a bonded friend is short bunny dates with other neuter/spayed bunnies from a rescue, and see which ones are a natural fit.
here is a guide you should follow: [https://bunnylady.com/bonding-rabbits/](https://bunnylady.com/bonding-rabbits/)
You really should take your bunny to meet the other bunny before adopting. Rabbit, like any creature, will have their likes and dislikes. If you bring that bunny home and your bunny decided he hates him, what are you going to do?? Keep them separate from then on? Return the other one?
Bonding isn’t a thing where you just put two bunnies together and blamo, bonded! It can be a long drawn out process that requires two separate pens, litterboxes, food bowls, etc for possibly months while you bond them.
Also Male/male bonding is not the easiest…I would go for female/male…but regardless, have your bunny meet the other bunny in a neutral site to see if he even likes this other bun.
Exciting time! People on here always looking out for the buns, but Im sure you’ve done your research 🙂
We had an unlikely pair that lived separately for 6 months. One was so anxious. Eventually we took them both to a totally new house for an intense 2 week bonding holiday. Intense, oven gloves, metal grids, 24 hour surveillance, but the day they figured it out, they were binkying and and flopping all over the place they were so happy And loved each other ever since.
Some people say you can bond any two buns. Some people say no you can’t. But I think knowing thier personalities and what each bun needs from a friend is essential, and ideally, a shelter will know thier bunnies well. For example, two intensley anxious buns that feel easily threatened and spooked might not be the right fit, and struggle to bond. Better with a chilled, confident bun to balance each other out. There are some hard and fast rules you can look up, but also, your intuition matters. Noone else has ever done this with the exact same two buns you are doing it with.
Just make sure when youre housing the second bun initially, to make sure there is still neutral territory left over for the sessions! And dont interrupt little scuffles unless you feel someone is going to be hurt. Theyre working it out.
Take it slow and let them set the pace. Neutral territory is key, somewhere neither has claimed yet. Swap their pens and litter boxes before they ever meet face to face so they get used to each other’s smell. And be patient, bonding can take weeks or months. Good on you for getting him neutered first, that makes a huge difference.
Bentley has to be one of my favorite bunnies with his very distinct coat. I love when you post him!
No advice but to say he’s so cute!! Floppity loppity ears!