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Weather · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 444 Location: Stirling, Scotland

I don't want meh, I want mist to really bond with another rabbit, not simply tolerate them in the same space. And I think thats all she's doing just now.

Theres no fighting between them, no agression at all, just the occasional grunt and thump because he won't groom her, he's a big lump of fur but I think he's a bit dim. We collected him on saturday after some speed dating, which basically involved shoving them in a box and seeing happened, no-one got angry so we were allowed to take im away with mist.

She was supposed to be staying up there for a few days to let the rescue do the bond, but they had accepted a set of infoor rabbits and mist is not cut out for -5 when she has been indoors for 2 years. Now I'm not mad that she took in other rabbits, they need rescued, but I am mad that knowing mist is indoors and she now couldnt keep them, that I drove her a 5 hr round trip, forced her into a box with boy who then joined her back at her house. The reason I didnt want to do the bond is because misty is bonded to me, and it hurts me to see her stressed climbing her cage trying to get to me and away form that boy, now i'm crying like an idiot.

I think she is doubly stressed because she gets to free roam in her room, and then the whole house at night and this is day 3 she has been cooped up, she just spends her time moving away from Angus or rattling the cage. I'm going to take them back out in the car for a bit tonight and see if that brings them a little closer. He's a great rabbit, but I think he's too laid back for her, she wats to run around and groom and he wants to eat and lie down.

How long to I keep them cooped up? And when is it fair for me to decide it isnt working out for her?
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franklyrabbit · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:54 am Post subject: Hi

Hi and I've only just seen your posting. Poor poor you and the bunnies. How is everything now - are things looking better for you all?

I wish I had some advice but I've not bonded bunnies.

I hope it's all settled down for you Sad

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**Char** · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:52 am Post subject:

I assume this is the post you were referring to in off topic.

I'll be honest, when bonding Pepper and Boris it was all very meh and felt absolutely terrible for Pepper because she did not seem to want to know Boris (he was more interested but that's because he is a boy who despite being neutered does not act like it!). She got annoyed with him following her and he got frustrated when she didnt respond to his attention. They either ignored each other or Pepper ran away from him all the time.

I think a lot of it has to do with how long they have been alone. Pepper had been a lone bun, though next door to Muffin and Crumpet, since I got her, so well over a year. She almost didnt seem to know how to interact with another bunny. This could be the case with Misty and possibly Angus too. They are so used to just having their company and that of humans (and in Pepper's case, two rabbits who either ignore her or nip her if she comes too close) that they don't quite know how to behave with a nice bunny that wants to be their friend.

Anyway, what I want to say is, don't let their current indifference put you off. Boris has ended up being very good for Pep. They groom each other and cuddle and run to each other if they hear a loud noise or whatever. This is something I didnt expect to happen in a million years, especially as the first two times they met they fought quite badly. It was only after an incident where I came home to find they had both escaped from their cages and were under the sofa grunting at each other that things improved. A true bond will take time. The good thing is they dont hate and want to kill each other. Thats half the battle won already!

So yeah, it might be meh now but that doesnt mean it wont become a proper loving bond in a few weeks or months time. As long as they aren't hurting each other, I think keeping things as normal as possible would be a good idea. Let Mist have time out from Angus and make sure they both get exercise time. I can't think of anything else to really suggest other than don't worry too much.
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