The size and type of space you give your rabbit will vary depending on the method you use to bond your rabbit. It allows them to associate these pleasant feelings with the other rabbit and usually helps to smooth out the bonding process right from the beginning. And, were good at it. The reality is, in most cases you will be using a combination of techniques based on how your rabbits react to each other. ADOPTING A FRIEND FOR YOUR RABBIT - BUNNY BONDING SERVICES Rabbits are social animals that benefit from living in pairs or groups. However, the idea of bonding your pet rabbits sounds daunting and overwhelming. If you are looking to adopt a friend for your bunny companion, SaveABunny is here to help! As we know mounting/chasing is regularly seen in a new bond to show dominance. You can use a tabletop, being careful to block off the edges to prevent your rabbits from falling. Rabbits can be stubborn little rascals, though so we can help the good feelings along. Some buns may not want/need a friend now, but might get lonely when their humans are no longer home as often. 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. Now years later I finally have a trio of buns that live together happily. I would be very happy to help with bonding your rabbits. Unsweetened applesauce is a common option that is well-loved among rabbits. We will discuss numerous options with you if the bond is unsuccessful to find the right solution that works for you, and most importantly is right for the welfare of your rabbit. Within this 48 hour period it usually becomes very apparent if the bonding will be successful or not, and if for any reason I feel that that the bonding won't work out, for example; excessive fighting occurs, even after intervention. This is a time of day when rabbits are naturally less active. You can either get a completely new area rug to use for the rabbit enclosure, or you can spray the flooring with the vinegar solution. Use a new exercise pen that neither have used before and have new litter boxes, food bowls, hiding houses and toys available. The first child will still love their parents, but theyll have another separate relationship with the younger sibling and the family dynamics will change a little. 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. Both rabbits should be altered and allowed enough time for their hormone levels to dissipate (3-4 weeks). It is estimated that there are up to two million rabbits being kept and bred in the backyards and gardens of the UKthree quarters of them, according to a new survey are being mistreated. 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. I am happy to answer any questions you may have in the meantime. Once they become close enough friends and can live together without fighting, then they are bonded and can be together full time without supervision. If that doesnt work see if you can spend a few days at a friend or family members house. Understanding Bonding from the Rabbits Perspective is Your Key To Success! However long it takes, its important that you stay patient and avoid rushing the process. They act as nose guards while also giving your rabbits a chance to interact with each other. This is simply not true. While the circumstances will vary on the specific scenario you are in, my rule is if I see no improvement for 2-3 days in one spot, then I need to change things up a little. 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. This is when your rabbit is put in a pen with another rabbit. Even bonded rabbits will have occasional disagreements. I am happy to have helped bond the rabbits that I have and to have enriched their lives, and if I can do that I may not be changing the world but I can change the world of the rabbits that I help. and it becomes clear that they intend to cause each other a major injury, I will separate and try again 12 hours later. The whole process is completely online. The hutch or pen gates should be wiped down, even cleaning the walls is a good idea. Where possible remove any obvious signs of marking or ownership e.g. You can bond rabbits quicker than gentle bonding or starting small. Click on the Bunny Bonding Guide to flip through our interactive resource or download the PDF here. 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. This allows for the rabbit to heal and for his/her hormones to balance. Check out our Adoption FAQ and fill out an application to get the process started! After you have some trust that they wont immediately attack each other, you can allow them to approach each other nose-to-nose on the floor, then start giving them both head scritches and massages together. 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. A Moon Bunny Representative will get back to . Easier even when you only have a limited amount of time for bonding. You do want to see some mutual grooming behavior, but they actually dont need to be lovey dovey all the time. Amy Pratt is a lifelong rabbit owner who has been specializing with rabbits at the Humane Rescue Alliance. 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. 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. If you are boarding for a month and need a discounted rate, pleasecontact us. 2023 - Special Bunny. You do not need to have adopted your rabbits from us, as these services are available to all rabbit owners. I would only use this technique sparingly if you are working with elderly rabbits or those that have any serious health conditions. This technique puts the two rabbits together full time from the start. ADOPTING A FRIEND FOR YOUR RABBIT BUNNY BONDING SERVICES. 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. This reserves your spot. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you want to successfully bond two rabbits, youll need to make some preparations and do some planning. Allowing the rabbits out in the garden or run, or in their whole area after only a few days is likely to cause problems, so please be aware, only increase the territory after a good number of days (anything between 8-10 days) and do it gradually. The only time I would say to give up and stop trying to bond them is if the rabbits have actually hurt each other in a fight. 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: In a larger shed, it may be useful to break down the space to a smaller area using a puppy pen or NIC cubes, which I can provide you with (10 deposit refunded on safe return). We rely on boarding and bonding fees to help pay our extensive veterinary services. 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. I put together a guide that goes over all the basics of rabbit care so you have it all in one place. If youre not prepared, bonding can easily end up in heartbreak rather than the happy bunny family you want. Or, you may bring food of your own choice. You dont need to worry about a bond breaking when you increase the space. Lots of vets and pet shops advise that rabbits should be . 2 weeks, during which your rabbits would board here. Our trained team conduct daily bonding exercises that support the introduction of the rabbits over a period of days, minimising the risk and stress associated with rapid techniques. After your rabbits have been bonded and living together, you might expect them to be lovey dovey all the time and live happily ever after. When the rabbits return home, they will be in a settled bond that will allow them to comfortably and safely live together in the same environment. Our boarding spaces fill up quickly and advance reservations during the holidays is required. While we do not charge for the bonding services when you adopt a companion rabbit from us, we do require payment for the boarding of your rabbit during the process. 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. However, they are not necessarily going to agree on who gets to be dominant right away. Three or more rabbits: Difficulty varies, depending on sexes, personalities, and whether or not two of the rabbits are already bonded. Alternate who gets what housing/space regularly so that no one is able to claim one as just theirs. 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. Bringing home a rabbit to an existing rabbit. When they come back the other rabbit might think they are a stranger and attack. We now offer a bonding program for anyone that wants to introduce a new bunny to their existing bunny family. 1 Submit A Request. To prevent them from biting each others noses (which can happen), I recommend getting these mesh storage cubes. You should be able to determine from the behaviour shown if you need to take it really slowly or if the rabbits are firm friends right from the outset. Start off by giving them massages for 10-15 minutes at a time, but as they seem more comfortable with each other, you can start petting them for a shorter duration then stop to see how they respond to each other. As a neutral place, and with our experienced Special Bunny experts, we are able to work with your bunny and their new companion with a higher level of success than you may have at home. Boarding drop off and pick up times are between 9am-1pm. 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! By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I was hoping to find something near me (finger lakes/Rochester region of NY), but the main thing that pops up for me is babybluebeebunnies in the UK. Petfinder is a great source to find a bunny near you! Rabbits are social animals that benefit from living in pairs or groups. During bonding, you will see some behaviors that you are not used to seeing. We can offer Bonding Support Consultation services face-to-face in our offices in Kirkintilloch (G66 1QH). It can be done in shorter intervals of time if you work during the day. However, if the rabbits are not showing signs of aggression or severe anxiety, its okay to start sooner. Pleasecontact us. Most bunnies enjoy having a bunny friend, as long as they like the other bun. Even after youve befriended a rabbit, something can be a little bit off and My name is Amy and I am the Bunny Lady! I help bunny parents globally to get their bunnies loved up so they can have a more peaceful life & enjoy their bunnies. Youll also want to have two of everything because sometimes rabbits dont like sharing litter boxes and food bowls to begin with. When bonding goes wrong it is usually down to one of two factors: Some rescues offer bunny speed dating. May I please ask a few questions? Learn more about how you can get quality hay (even ORGANIC hay!) If you are boarding for long-term boarding for stays over 21 days we may be able to offer you a monthly discounted rate on a case-by-case basis. 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. If you are purchasing anything fromSmall Pet Selectuse the codeBUNNYLADYat checkout to get 15% off your first order. I'm worried to try and bond them all together, since I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I would love for them all to be together and not concerned when they hear one another from across the room (I have blankets covering their x-pen bars to help them feel safer). At night, they would share a 6ft double hutch, having access to only half of the hutch each to prevent fighting. It will be a stressful and potentially confusing process, both for you and the rabbits, as you figure out how to help your rabbits to coexist peacefully. Wear long sleeves, sturdy shoes, and thick gloves. I have used a bunny bonding service in the past when adopting a new rabbit. $1,275; Bonding Trio: $120/day, i.e. Above all be patient with your rabbits. If you have a small apartment or your rabbit has full access to your house, leaving you with no neutral areas, there are still some options: While we always hope that the bonding process will go smoothly and the two rabbits get along, there are often times when you have to referee and break up fights. This should cause the rabbits to inadvertently groom each other while they are licking the treat off. That's just the background, since I still really want to be able to keep all my bunnies together; not just for myself, but so they have more space to themselves as well. When most people think of rabbits, they imagine small balls of fluff that dont reach more than 5 pounds. Accommodation for your newly bonded rabbits. We only try bondings between bunnies of the opposite sex, and only between a pair of bunnies (never a trio or more). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Because bunnies are considered exotic pets, it can be harder to find help in an emergency. A neutral space is a place that neither rabbit will consider to be their own territory. Then move directly into a larger space to bond them gently until they are used to each other and seem unlikely to attack each other. By using the methods above, any unsettled behaviour should calm over a few days. It is very rare that two bunnies will meet and get along perfectly. If you hate the smell of vinegar (like I do), try adding 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to cover it up. During the bonding process, most likely one or both of the rabbits will begin to request grooming from each other. We only try bondings between bunnies of the opposite sex, and only between a pair of bunnies (never a trio or more). Nail trim and grooming is an extra $15. I wanted to try to pair the 3 remaining rabbits after the death of one, to each other and a new bun. 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. Bonding is a stressful process. Rabbits can form bonds that are so powerful that the loss of a bonded partner can leave them devastated and depressed. Our next available date for bonding rabbits is currently 20th April 2023. Much easier if you bring a girl home to a boy than if you bring a rabbit home to a girl. Please be aware of the danger and gently push the offending rabbit off. Even more confusing, every bonding is different so there is no set of rules you can follow that will 100% lead you to success. Positive behaviors are the ones you want to look for. If the time-outs dont seem to be working, place both rabbits in a carrier and take them for a car ride. He is very gorgeous to me, Press J to jump to the feed. In general, its harder to bring any rabbit (whether male or female) into a home where the original rabbit is female. The severity of the altercation will decide how long of a break the rabbits will need from each other before trying again. However, as the time together gets longer, no toys or treats could lead to an irritated rabbit, and they may end up directing their pent up frustration at the other rabbit. Most people will agree that if your rabbits can go a full 48 hours together in a neutral territory without any fights or major chases, then they can move in together. To prevent the rabbits injuring each other, or injuring you when they go for each other, youll want to wear appropriate clothing and have some equipment available. Whether you board your bunny with us or not, we strongly recommend you talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your rabbits. They do not enjoy the trip and most likely will turn to one another for comfort. 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. We will help you do whatever we can to make the bond a success. A good way to do this is using vinegar. In 5 years of bonding possibly over a 500 rabbits I've only had to keep 12 lots of bonding bunnies longer than a week and after two weeks they were ready to go home. When moving from one step to the next, especially when increasing space, its common for rabbits to have minor setbacks as they settle into the new space. Please note we are a *pet rabbit* community that discourages breeding and encourages rescue. This might be necessary if youre waiting for one of them to be spayed or neutered, or if you want to wait to start the formal bonding until you have more time and attention to devote to it. Since grooming is such an important part of a bonded rabbits relationship, you can try to find ways to encourage or trick your rabbits into grooming each other. Aggression during the bonding process is natural. Make sure the bonding area is big enough. It happens, but bonding a same-sex pair usually fails! Rabbit Advocates hopes to resume "Bunny Speed Dating" events as soon as circumstances allow. 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). Most bunnies enjoy having a bunny friend, as long as they like the other bun. It usually takes between two weeks and two months to bond a pair of rabbits. Bonding happens best in neutral territory a space that neither rabbit has claimed as its own. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. In other cases, the rabbits will take many months or even years to be bonded. It is tempting to move too quickly. You can connect the individual cube pieces to form a flat barrier in between your rabbits using small zip ties. 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. Just fill in a few details about yourself and hit "Get Started"! Important: This page may contain affiliate links. You can also work with changing the size of the place you are working in. Many, many rabbits never have a problem, but it is worth taking care over this process as they can become food aggressive. It can take several weeks to months for a bond to solidify between the rabbits. Stress bonding is, as the name suggests, stressful for the rabbits involved. But if it doesnt work, we understand that keeping rabbits lonely is not what anyone wants. Bonding at home. This is not to scare you away from ever getting a second rabbit, but instead to be realistic. 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. Most of the time you can let them continue as long as both rabbits still seem comfortable around each other. celebunnies have excellent customer reviews from our happy customers on our boarding and our bonding service. We also provide a large range of excellent top quality Scottish Hays (8 types) and fresh and dried herbs and forage from the rescue gardens and allotments and branches to chew. The bonding process takes approx. Before getting started, you want to make sure all rabbits involved have been spayed or neutered. The rabbits will race through the seven stages of bonding that we describe below. Wait 2-4 weeks after the surgery before attempting introductions. To talk to us about bonding your rabbit with a new friend, call us on 01803 812121 or email info@animalsindistress.uk.com. Find a bunny bonding service near you today. Bunnies need specialized care as "exotic" pets. 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. What are your rabbits breeds, sexes, names and ages? Usually, this is a long and slow process. As well as the initial face-to-face session, we are happy to continue to provide support to you by email, social media or telephone too. As one person I cannot change the way two million rabbits are kept. 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. If you're bonding outside, simply spray some white vinegar on the grass to remove any unwanted smells. Our Bunny Bonding service ACCOMMODATION All our luxury boarding accommodation is in excesss of the RWAF hutch standards and are designed with the comfort and safety of the rabbit as priority. The HRS also has free virtual sessions from Hoolibuns if you want to try that, too, to see if it works for you. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A rabbit going to the vets on their own will come back smelling totally different and may behave differently and to introduce them back may be very problematic and is just not worth the risk. I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. Maybe someone on the internet told you that your rabbit will never be happy unless they are bonded. There are also some positive behaviors that you want to look out for to let you know the bonding is going well. We will do our best to accommodate you at other times on a case-by-case basis. Baby and adult: Sometimes difficult, but goes well if adult is very tolerant. As much as possible you want to try to make the bonding experience positive for both rabbits. 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. Your bunny will speed date until we find a good match (the bunnies must choose). If your rabbit lives in an ex-pen then youll want to clean the flooring as well. However, there are other reasons that you may want to give up or at least take a break for a few months before trying again. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. We know its important for your bunny(bunnies) to be cared for and respected for their own personality, likes and dislikes. The rabbits involved are continuously aggressive with each other. These were with larger groups of more than 4, and the reason I no longer bond groups larger than 4. Our boarding is home-style, so drop-off and pick-up times are typically between 9 am and 1 pm. Just remember that whatever method you choose, you want to avoid the possibility of territorial aggression by making it as neutral as possible. Dont get another rabbit just because you think you should. Sometimes no matter what we do, the two rabbits just wont get along. What happens when I take my bonded rabbit's home? Of course, some rabbits will naturally hit it off better than others. They have an instinct to defend their territory. Any of these techniques might be right for you. As youre getting started bonding your rabbits, there are some techniques you can use to help the process along. Almost inevitably, you will experience setbacks along the way, making you wonder why you decided this was a good idea to begin with. It often happens that a rabbit who travels outside the home can pick up a strange scent. Most of the time, this is not a realistic expectation. They are emotionally and physically healthier because their friend offers companionship and can groom places that are difficult or impossible to reach. For example, I left my two rabbits together in the basement for a week after they seemed ready to move in, because my female had been showing signs of serious territorial tendencies. Your rabbits will board with us for 7 - 14 days, and whilst in our care we will conduct the bonding activity for you. If you are looking to adopt a friend for your bunny companion, SaveABunny is here to help! Following these instructions is crucial to the success of the bond. Sometimes this happens because your original rabbit is very territorial. I so wish that I could but that just isnt possible. 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. If you find you are stuck in the bonding process, try switching up the bonding area. We are volunteer-run, so we appreciate your flexibility. The rabbits are just too aggressive with each other and refuse to get along. Even if they are calm and able to get along in the afternoon, sometimes rabbits need more time to get used to each other before they can be friendly during the more active hours. Bunny bonding and medication administration are available as add-ons in a case-by-case basis. RIP Stuart. As an Amazon Associate and an associate to other companies I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Bonding is generally easier when rabbits have been sterilized. Therefore its important to prevent any aggressive behavior from escalating into a full fledged fight. Take it slow and give your rabbits time to work out their disagreements. Your bonded rabbits must always travel together, so even a quick trip to the vets where only one rabbit is to be seen, means that you must take all of the group (my bonded group of four all visit the vet together in one carriera nightmare to carry and Im not quite sure what my vet thinks when I turn up with all of them when only one needs to be seen!). we supp;y the biggest hutch and exclusive access to the adoining run . 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. Do you want to bond bunnies yourself? The rabbits can be on the floor, in a box or carrier, or even on a chair or lap. If you are using existing accommodation, whilst your bunnies are away being bonded, you will need to totally clean and de-odorise the space. Not as stressful for the rabbits after the first stage. 20 per rabbit, or 15 per rabbit if you have 3 or more. It is very important to try to end every session on a high note. Twice in 5 years I have had injuries that have needed to be stitched. One of the best steps you can take to help your rabbits early on in the bonding process is to start petting them when they are next to each other. Instead you need to slowly introduce the two rabbits in a neutral territory that neither will feel ownership of. Effective December 15, 2020, all rabbits boarding at SaveABunny must be vaccinated forRHDV2at least 10 days prior to arrival. They can continue to live with separate enclosures, but have supervised playtime together whenever youre available. To do this, mash up some banana or use unsweetened applesauce. A list of veterinarian offices with the vaccine can be found at the bottom of this page. When it comes time to put your rabbits together and start the bonding process its very important that you set up a neutral area. Rare but again, it does happen!! You can adjust the technique youre using based on how your rabbits behave. Professional Bunnybonding Servive We are Celebunnies, based in Coulsdon, Surrey, We offer indoor & outdoor luxury boarding accommodation. It is tempting to move too quickly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Like humans, rabbits can have many individual relationships. The bonding process that you choose will depend on the personalities of the rabbits involved and the amount of time you have. Match-making and Bunny bonding services We love to help bunnies fall in love. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. All rights reserved. Keep your rabbits side by side, but wait to bond them until you move to a different home. The bonding has gone on for more that 6 months with little or no progress. Unfortunately, we can't always get our rabbits to bond no matter how hard we try, and we do need to accept that some personalities are just simply not compatible. Bonding Support Consultation 0.00 Book Now Rabbit Bonding Support Consultations However same-sex pairs can also work. A small box, pet carrier, or laundry basket are good options. Cost Single rabbit: $55/day Pairs: $60/day Trios: $65/day If you are boarding for a month and need a discounted rate, please contact us. Regular old white vinegar is a great scent neutralizer that can be mixed with an equal amount of water to create an all purpose cleaner that also gets rid of odors. I will make you aware of any injury, however superficial it might be, so you can keep an eye on things once they come home.
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