I have been trying to bond Ryu (first pic) and Eevee for a few months now but Eevee just goes to attack him every time.
I had them in the same room separated by the kavee cage grids for a couple of months before attempting bonding and then during the time I've been trying to bond as well and when there is a grid between them they are fine and happy to sit next to each other, though no laying down. They only ever had physical contact when I was supervising.
Then a couple of weeks ago Eevee decided to break into Ryu's side and attacked him, I heard the scuffle and went down and they were on separate sides of the room but I realised he had a bite right by his eye. Turns out she had torn his inner eyelid a bit which needed a stitch which meant anasthesia etc. so a hefty vet bills for what was essentially a single stitch. He also apparently decided to stop breathing for a couple of minutes during surgery and although I found that out only after knowing it went well, has definitely made me even more worried about putting him in a situation where he could get hurt again.
Since then I've moved him upstairs in my room and he seems really happy but obviously it means neither of them get socialisation with another rabbit which worries me. He lived with other rabbits before he came to me and Eevee has been with me since she was little but always had her litter mate Jaskier with her and they were bonded. We lost him last year and that's the reason I got Ryu.
My vet has recommended stress bonding which I was avoiding but I don't know what to do. I don't want to put either of them in danger of harm or keep subjecting them to stressful situations but I also don't want to sentence them to a life without rabbit company.
I know some people have said it can take years to bond in some cases but there has been 0 progress so far, Eevee just attacks him every time.
Also excuse Ryu's awful haircut, I have no groomers who take rabbits nearby and when I don't cut it he literally can't see. But this photo is post eye injury and he is doing well!
Just wondering if anyone has had a similar pair where one always attacks and no sign of positive behaviours after months, and did you eventually have success?
by Early_Tale_8055