The bonding process that you choose will depend on the personalities of the rabbits involved and the amount of time you have. Whether you board your bunny with us or not, we strongly recommend you talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your rabbits. The HRS also has free virtual sessions from Hoolibuns if you want to try that, too, to see if it works for you. The bonding process takes approx. If the bathroom isnt working, try the kitchen. Just fill in a few details about yourself and hit "Get Started"! Weve been boarding and loving rabbits for over 20 years. The sequence that I like to use is to start small, especially if were dealing with anxious rabbits. The answer to this is yes your rabbit will change, as each rabbit is different I cant foresee how they will change but they will be a lot happier! The times when you want to be careful are if the rabbits are ever separated and then put back together. You may be bitten or clawed while breaking up a fight. At night, they would share a 6ft double hutch, having access to only half of the hutch each to prevent fighting. This takes the stress and worry out of the process and allows you to be sure that your rabbits are happy with each other. What I can say though is that more often than not it's me that gets bitten! However, it is still an early stage bond, as it can take several weeks for the rabbits to gel together into full companionship and so our team will offer you lots of advice on how to support your rabbits' bond further as settle in back home. All of the information out there can seem confusing and contradictory. Rabbit Bonding Service (Minimum 15 days) Bonding Pair: $85/day, i.e. We do charge a daily boarding fee for this service, so that the bunnies can bunnymoon while getting to know each other. Visits can be made outside of these hours by prior arrangement. Your bunny will be housed in an 2 by 6 x-pen or double condo, depending on availability, fed high quality pellets, fresh greens, and unlimited hay. You dont have the time to continue with the bonding. Bunny bonding and medication administration are available as add-ons in a case-by-case basis. There are no other places you can use as neutral areas. Youll also want to have two of everything because sometimes rabbits dont like sharing litter boxes and food bowls to begin with. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. We can offer Bonding Support Consultation services face-to-face in our offices in Kirkintilloch (G66 1QH). In general your rabbits will continue to be happy and their friendship will grow, but, in some cases by bringing bunnies home to an existing space some unfriendly behaviour can start. Find a vet before you need one! You can also work with changing the size of the place you are working in. Thats likely something that will happen with time, but as long as they are not going to attack each other and there are no serious chases, the rabbits are bonded and they can move-in together. A list of veterinarian offices with the vaccine can be found at the bottom of this page. So basically the moral of my story: trying out a bunny bonding service is great, but be aware they may not ever be able to get bonded. Boarding fees and donations are the primary ways we raise money towards our extensive veterinary and animal care expenses. If your rabbit lives in an ex-pen then youll want to clean the flooring as well. When feeding newly bonded rabbits, its helpful to scatter their pellets in their hay or on the floor of their accommodation at first, so that you can monitor how they are at feeding time. As youre getting started bonding your rabbits, there are some techniques you can use to help the process along. At that point I will plan to take a week and stay with the rabbits full time while they get used to living together. info@saveabunny.org 415-388-2790 Contact Us, What to do if you find a bunny or need to rehome a rabbit. Easier even when you only have a limited amount of time for bonding. Then you will receive tips and tricks about rabbit care straight to your inbox so that you know youll be taking excellent care of your new rabbit. Once I felt they got on well enough together during the day, I would then let them share a whole hutch overnight to see how they get along. They act as nose guards while also giving your rabbits a chance to interact with each other. Alternatively, if you find a place and technique that works for your bunnies, then stick with it, and keep it up for longer than you think you need to. This is a big question that many people have because its not always as obvious as you might think. If they are finally doing well in a pen in your living room, give them sessions there for the next week before attempting to move onto the next stage. Boarding area is cleaned daily and bunnies are checked on several times per day. Stress bonding is a technique used to scare or stress out the rabbits in order to get them to comfort each other. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 2 I have used a bunny bonding service in the past when adopting a new rabbit. Rabbits are also hierarchical by nature. However, if the rabbits are not showing signs of aggression or severe anxiety, its okay to start sooner. They do not enjoy the trip and most likely will turn to one another for comfort. Wear long sleeves, sturdy shoes, and thick gloves. They tend to be more territorial so you may want to give them more time together to solidify their bond before the move-in. This should be allowed to happen provided it doesnt escalate into fighting or chasing that may be a precursor to injury. Then get to work cleaning everything. Check out our insightful instructions and videos on bonding bunnies! Many animal shelters will be able to facilitate this kind of bunny speed dating, especially those that specialize in small animals. The bond likely wont break after the rabbits are in the larger area. I'm not 100% sure who did it, but one of my original pair jumped their fence and went after the other pair upstairs (I believe biting both and drawing blood) two months ago. Then you slowly increase the space so that neither rabbit gets either territorial of the new space or uses it to nervously stay away from the other rabbit. chewed toys, marked litter trays, fabric items such as animal beds/toys and any other items which may indicate to the original bunny that they are back in their old territory. You can bond rabbits quicker than gentle bonding or starting small. Our spaces fill quickly and may all be reserved by the end of October. Then only after a 5-10 minute massage should you bring your rabbits back to their separate homes and end the session. It is tempting to move too quickly. Most of the time, this is not a realistic expectation. This will give them time to heal and it will give their hormones time to calm down. In our experience though, it is often as much about a safe bonding process as anything else! Dont panic if you see this behavior occasionally. Professional Bunny bonding service. As an associate to Amazon, Small Pet Select, and Chewy.com, I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. This is especially important when working in small spaces or long periods of time. Place a small amount of this yummy treat on the forehead of one or both of the rabbits. If you see one rabbit duck his or head in a grooming request but the other rabbit does not respond, go ahead and stroke those foreheads yourself. It is important that the rabbits are not split up UNLESS THERE IS A RISK OF INJURY, or you will be back to square one and you will need to begin the process again from scratch. Even more confusing, every bonding is different so there is no set of rules you can follow that will 100% lead you to success. Understanding Bonding from the Rabbits Perspective is Your Key To Success! Wait 2-4 weeks after the surgery before attempting introductions. It happens, but bonding a same-sex pair usually fails! Its relatively stressful for rabbits, especially to start with. If one of your bunnies needs an overnight stay at the vets, a bunny savvy vet will understand the need for the bonded bunnies to stay together and if he/she doesnt, then you need to find another vet. 2 weeks, during which your rabbits would board here. Most of the time you can let them continue as long as both rabbits still seem comfortable around each other. This technique is ideal because it wont be as stressful for the rabbits. The whole process is completely online. Bonding We offer a bonding service if you wish to adopt a single rabbit from the rescue to pair with your own rabbit the cost of this is 5 a night for the first week and if it takes us longer, any extra nights to prove we're not pulling your leg are on an optional donation only basis :) Accommodation examples: If that doesnt work see if you can spend a few days at a friend or family members house. So far, any injuries that have occurred have been superficial and not needed veterinary attention when bonding groups of 4 or less. celebunnies have excellent customer reviews from our happy customers on our boarding and our bonding service. While you dont want to use this tip too often because too many treats are not good for a rabbits digestion, its a good trick to use if the two rabbits seem to be getting along and just need a little extra nudge. Not only are they being fed the wrong food but they are kept in small, cramped and dirty cages never having the chance to run free or to feel the love of a companion rabbit, a situation for which the pet industry and breeders bear most of the blame. Follow the Bunny Lady and her bunny partner Elusive and they seek to educate rabbit caretakers and make sure everyone is able to have a happy and healthy bunny in their home. I put together a guide that goes over all the basics of rabbit care so you have it all in one place. Please be aware that bonding can never be guaranteed as, like people, some rabbits are destined to never get along, although this is fairly rare. We now offer a bonding program for anyone that wants to introduce a new bunny to their existing bunny family. 27.50 per rabbit, or 22.50 per rabbit if you have 3 or more. They would spend every day in a large play area inside our house, and I would be in it with them all day. Rabbits can be stubborn little rascals, though so we can help the good feelings along. Bonding can take a considerable amount of your time and effort in order to be successful. The initial 48 hours is crucial and can be very intense. In some instances, following an introduction of a few days, rabbits can become immediate friends, but this is not always the case and when returning to their home environment it needs to be managed carefully to ensure that the bond continues to develop and not go backwards, or break up totally. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I have 4 bunnies in total, 2 bonded pairs, who I love dearly. Some female rabbits, especially, will feel ownership of areas of the home they havent ever been to; they just know its close to their territory. You are experiencing a lot of stress or anxiety around the bonding. If you are looking for information on how to bond two bunnies yourself, check out our bonding page! Almost inevitably, you will experience setbacks along the way, making you wonder why you decided this was a good idea to begin with. When should you give up bonding your rabbits? Wait at least four weeks after all rabbits involved have been spayed or neutered before introducing them in the same space (they can still be housed next to each other in separate enclosures). This will give your rabbit calm feelings while they are sitting next to each other. If the rabbits show a mutual interest, we will house them together here at SaveABunny for a recommended minimum three days. Please realize a reservation is not guaranteed until you receive confirmation from us. In fact, by your bunnies travelling together, you will find that their stress levels are reduced. Bonding usually takes a shorter amount of time (1-2 weeks). The process should always take place in a neutral territory and all rabbits involved should already be spayed or neutered. If you are bringing newly bonded rabbits home to a totally new space then the you will find it easier to maintain the growing friendship than if you are returning one of the group to their original territory. Usually the rabbits will be able to resolve the issue on their own in now time. Size does not make a difference in whether the rabbits will bond or not, but age is a consideration. Rabbits that have been in a fight are much more difficult to bond because now they have negative memories of each other. However, they are not necessarily going to agree on who gets to be dominant right away. What do you need to consider before deciding when to bring home a second rabbit? You might find yourself stuck in a rut and feeling like youre getting nowhere. Even though they may initially bond, they can also un-bond. Stress bonding is, as the name suggests, stressful for the rabbits involved. We will then advise you as you transition the new pair to your home. If you hate the smell of vinegar (like I do), try adding 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to cover it up. Bunny bonding and medication administration are available as add-ons in a case-by-case basis. Male rabbits are also still viable for a number of weeks after the surgery. What you will do is start each session with 10-15 minutes of stress bonding, then give them another 10-15 minutes to sit together without the stress, so that they can also get used to interacting with each other and comforting each other even when there is not something scary going on at that exact moment. While I cant make the promise that any two rabbits can be bonded, most can learn to coexist with enough time and patience. However, before you can call your rabbits bonded, youll want to give them some sessions that cover their more active times of day as well. Take it slow and give your rabbits time to work out their disagreements. The size and age of the rabbits generally dont affect their ability to get along, but you might want to look for a rabbit with similar energy levels. Bonding rabbits can be an incredibly difficult and stressful process (but not always). We will then board the bunnies together for anywhere from 3 days to a week depending on how it is going. We will help you do whatever we can to make the bond a success. Our boarding is home-style, so drop-off and pick-up times are typically between 9 am and 1 pm. Alternate who gets what housing/space regularly so that no one is able to claim one as just theirs. Therefore its important to prevent any aggressive behavior from escalating into a full fledged fight. I like to break apart pieces of hay cubes and sprinkle them around the enclosure, that way the rabbits get a healthy treat rather than a lot of sugary pieces. The first is to ask for the help of a friend or family member and see if theyll allow you to stay in their home with your rabbits for a few weeks while you bond them. As you see them interacting comfortably closer together and showing signs that they are relaxed and not on edge, then you know your rabbits are close to being bonded. If you think you might want to have a bonded pair and do not already have a bunny, adopt an already-bonded pair! If the time-outs dont seem to be working, place both rabbits in a carrier and take them for a car ride. Soooo whatever happened to this? Rabbits are much happier when they have a friend to share their life with. These were with larger groups of more than 4, and the reason I no longer bond groups larger than 4. Ideally I'd like to say I've never had any injuries, but that would be dishonest and misleading and I prefer to be honest and open with you. Twice in 5 years I have had injuries that have needed to be stitched. When most people think of rabbits, they imagine small balls of fluff that dont reach more than 5 pounds. When your bunnies return home it is normal for a few problems to arise, you as a bunny slave also have to play a part in the bonding process They will need reduced space in order to understand that they are now a pair/group and that they dont need to run away! You do want to see some mutual grooming behavior, but they actually dont need to be lovey dovey all the time. When looking for a potential partner for your rabbit most people agree that its usually easier to bond a male and a female rabbit together, rather than rabbits of the same gender. You do not need to have adopted your rabbits from us, as these services are available to all rabbit owners. Theyll be more willing to settle down or even nap a little instead of getting up in arms about the other rabbit they are sharing a space with. Believe me in the past, before I was rabbit savvy it happened to me and it really does happen that quickly! Bonding is generally easier when rabbits have been sterilized. If this ceased before homecoming and then begins again, it may be one or other rabbit deciding to try and assert themselves, and in some cases it may be a different rabbit to the one who was boss previously. Or, you may bring food of your own choice. If behavior changes or any problems occur then go back a step and decrease their space immediately until things return to positive. Its best done with the two rabbits in a small space so that they will instinctually huddle next to each other. I dropped my bunny off to get neutered this Its been a month since we picked him out of our potted My mom called him ugly. We only try bondings between bunnies of the opposite sex, and only between a pair of bunnies (never a trio or more). The boarding area is cleaned daily and bunnies are checked on several times per day. Whether its planning to have two separate enclosures permanently in different areas of the home or having an agreement with a family member or shelter to give the new rabbit a place to stay if the bonding doesnt work out. our own rescues and rehoming advise local rescues who we support 07850530022 Beloved Rabbits is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, To prevent them from biting each others noses (which can happen), I recommend getting these mesh storage cubes. Give them lots of toys to play with and hay to munch on. Unfortunately sometimes even with the best intentions and constant supervision, injuries can occur during the bonding process. Bunnyproofing help for under bed and couch? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The bonding has gone on for more that 6 months with little or no progress. Maybe someone on the internet told you that your rabbit will never be happy unless they are bonded. Three or more rabbits: Difficulty varies, depending on sexes, personalities, and whether or not two of the rabbits are already bonded. With this technique you are basically putting the rabbits together and telling them that one way or another they have to get along because theyre not going to get a break. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Its better to spend more time than necessary on a stage of bonding, than to rush the rabbits and have to start over from the beginning. info@saveabunny.org 415-388-2790 Contact Us, What to do if you find a bunny or need to rehome a rabbit, Aptos: Del Mar Pet Hospital, (831) 688-2016, $35, call for info on mass vaccine clinics, Berkeley: Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital, (510) 848-5041, $128.50, booked one month out, Del Rey Oaks: Avian and Exotic Clinic of Monterey, (831) 647-1147, $60 exam + $35 vac, Elk Grove: Kittel Family Veterinary Practice, email kfvp@kittelfamilyvet.com for wait list, $40 exam/vac, Livermore: Ohana Animal Hospital, (925) 394-4990, current patients only, Martinez: Oasis Veterinary Hospital, (925) 954-8087, current patients only, Novato/Marin: Dr. Debra Scheenstra, (415) 893-1554, current patients only, San Francisco: Bay Area Bird & Exotics, (415) 566-4359, $80 exam + $36 vac, San Francisco: VCA All Pets Hospital, (415) 861-5725, $95 exam + $65 vac, San Jose: Camden Pet Hospital , (408) 265-2200, $76 exam + $42 vac, San Jose: Oakridge Veterinary Clinic, (408) 419-9238, Santa Cruz: VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz, (831) 427-3345, $65 exam + $67 vac, Santa Rosa: Heritage Veterinary Hospital, (707) 576-0764, $35, current patients only, Scotts Valley: Exotic Pet Clinic of Santa Cruz, (831) 440-8590, $79 exam + $47.50 vac, booked about a month out, Berkeley: PETS Referral Center, does not do vacs of any kind, Hayward: Chabot Veterinary Clinic, (510) 538-2330, on backorder, Los Altos/Los Gatos: Adobe Animal Hospital, Napa: California Pet Hospital, no longer sees rabbits, Oakland: VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital, (510) 654-8375, on backorder, San Jose: VCA Orchard Plaza Animal Hospital, (408) 227-9110, dont know when will get more, Sunnyvale: Sunnyvale Vet Clinic, (408) 736-8296, waiting list, getting more soon. $1,800; For more information, please PM us. The bonding process takes approx. If your housing is a hutch or Wendy house with a run attached, then close off the run for at least a few days. I would only use this technique sparingly if you are working with elderly rabbits or those that have any serious health conditions. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Rabbits can be happy with a human or other animal companion if they are given enough attention and socialization. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 has been spreading worldwide and has now reached California. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. Important: These are Affiliate links. My success rate on bonding is high, and although I will never claim to be an expert on rabbits as they are complex, mysterious and sometimes paradoxical creatures, my love and commitment to them runs deep. The rabbits are showing serious signs of stress or anxiety. Place the housing for the new rabbit next to or, if possible, inside of the other bunnys housing area. Like humans, rabbits can have many individual relationships. That fear is not completely unfounded. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. Cheap bail bond payment plans up to $5,000. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. If neither rabbit backs down, they may end up fighting until they work out their disagreement. Occasionally, it will be squeezed into a couple of hours. So far, any injuries that have occurred have been superficial and not needed veterinary attention when bonding groups of 4 or less. Its more about the individual personalities of the rabbits involved. When getting a space ready for the two rabbits to bond in, you also want to make sure the equipment and supplies you use are neutral. If it was just nipping, they should continue negotiations. However we find the circumstances of these dates often hide the "real" reaction which may happen when the "perfect pair" return home, and that in 9 out of 10 bonding experiences the bonding "fight", which often appears to be more violent than it is in reality, will still happen. Bring them to the vet together, or out to play together. If the kitchen isnt working, try a pen in the living room. Our insulated and heated equipment ensures we can keep both indoor and outdoor rabbits comfortable during their stay. Adopting a second bunny without going through a dating/bonding process is risky because many bunnies do not get along and may never get along. Subscribe to the Bunny Lady e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit care. It is tempting to move too quickly. Dont get another rabbit just because you think you should. If you are having problems bonding your rabbits and you decide to seek assistance from Derricks Den, then you will also need to continue the good work already done when you bring your rabbits home. Just like humans, rabbits need to choose their own friends. Move to a new location. Usually you will want to bring them to a room in the house that your rabbit hasnt been to before, such as a kitchen, a bathroom, or a section of a hallway. Instead you need to slowly introduce the two rabbits in a neutral territory that neither will feel ownership of. You can adjust the technique youre using based on how your rabbits behave. If you increase the space too quickly you risk breaking the bond. I am more than happy to keep you updated via WhatsApp and send videos/pictures by email on your rabbit's progress throughout the bonding process. Once bonded the rabbits should be housed together in a space large enough to accommodate them both comfortably. Adopt a friend that is the opposite sex of your rabbit. Instead of putting rabbits in a miniscule area to start, you let the rabbits roam an area thats as large as you can control (so you can still break up any potential fights). Bringing home a rabbit to an existing rabbit. Taking the rabbits for a car ride, running the vacuum near them, or placing them atop a washing machine are some common scenarios that people use. Match-making and Bunny bonding services We love to help bunnies fall in love. If bonding looks possible, we recommend boarding your bunnies at SaveABunny, which is neutral space, for a minimum of 3 days at $60 per day.