Hi
I am trying to bond my female house rabbit with a rescued male. They have both been fixed and are about 3. She had a companion who died 3 weeks ago and he has been on his own.
When the rescue centre came with him they let him go in her room. They ignored each other until he went in her litter tray then she went for him but he ran into the pen I had prepared and she did not follow. I did not think this was the best way to introduce but went along. I left him in the pen for 2 days then tried her in there with him which I know now was was stupid. They seemed interested in each other but then she gave him a little nip and he mounted her aggressively really frightening her. I had to intervene and he had bitten her trying to hold on-raised but no blood.
I left it three days then tried them in the bath. Could not have gone better. She even gave him a couple of cursory licks. Even grooming and lying down near each other. She almost fell to sleep. Tried it again the next day. Went well so though I would try them on the landing. Went OK until she decided she had enough and went away . She was a bit nervous. He then chased her and I had to break them up as there was a scuffle that looked like it may turn bad. Back to bath next day. Both ignoring and really did not want to be there. Removed when he started thumping loudly-do not think he was scared of her just did not want to be there. Next day bath again seemed fine but both seemed to get bored - did not try food I put in there-did not leave it too long. Next day bath-going fine, thought I would try them on floor in there. About 10 mins of each exploring mostly where the other one had been. She kept brushing past him but no nipping. She then went nose to nose and started grooming/nibbling , he just moved his head when it was a bit rough-still OK. She then went around the back and started to mount. This resulted in a fight where neither would back down, rolling on the floor big chunks of fur flying. Had to separate them. It was 50/50 and neither seemed traumatised by it.
I think there are positive signs and they are interested but neither will defer to other. He seems more laid back but retaliates fiercely when his boundaries are crossed. It makes it really difficult to read. This has led to a bite for her and a big lump of fur off one of them (not sure which as they are similar colours-he had loose fur, could not see any off her but it looked more like hers). She is now marking around the pen and going to him. turning her back then weeing. Next minute they are nose to nose. She goes up to the pen, seems to acknowledge him, turns her back then flops away from him.
As neither seems inclined to back down I do not know whether I should give up on it or try to build on positives. I think the last encounter would have got nasty if left. If they really disliked each other it would be easier to figure this out but it seems to be the mounting and wanting to be the boss that is the problem. He is also acting submissively then turning when she tries to assert herself.
The fur pulling went on when I intoduced her to her last companion but he ran off and kept out of her way for a bit and there was no real aggression. She also alternated the fur pulling with lots of licks. There were never any tussles like this, no mounting, biting or big chunks of fur.
Would you give up on this or keep trying?
Update= marking getting worse from her. Thought her going to the pen and lying near was positive now thinking it is just territorial. Seem to stand with backs to each other at boundary as well. Finding this stressful and do not want to start again if it is going nowhere.The four times other than in the tub has led to worrying incidents when they get near each other. She was so bonded to her last companion and I want that again for her. Not sure I am going to get it with these two though. I feel sorry for him as he had been outside in a cage on his own without much exercise prior to rescue. Just wonder if it is all too much for him as well. Feeling guilty either way. Bonding a free roam seems more complicated as well as most advice seems to centre on cages. At moment wishing I had never started it.
I am trying to bond my female house rabbit with a rescued male. They have both been fixed and are about 3. She had a companion who died 3 weeks ago and he has been on his own.
When the rescue centre came with him they let him go in her room. They ignored each other until he went in her litter tray then she went for him but he ran into the pen I had prepared and she did not follow. I did not think this was the best way to introduce but went along. I left him in the pen for 2 days then tried her in there with him which I know now was was stupid. They seemed interested in each other but then she gave him a little nip and he mounted her aggressively really frightening her. I had to intervene and he had bitten her trying to hold on-raised but no blood.
I left it three days then tried them in the bath. Could not have gone better. She even gave him a couple of cursory licks. Even grooming and lying down near each other. She almost fell to sleep. Tried it again the next day. Went well so though I would try them on the landing. Went OK until she decided she had enough and went away . She was a bit nervous. He then chased her and I had to break them up as there was a scuffle that looked like it may turn bad. Back to bath next day. Both ignoring and really did not want to be there. Removed when he started thumping loudly-do not think he was scared of her just did not want to be there. Next day bath again seemed fine but both seemed to get bored - did not try food I put in there-did not leave it too long. Next day bath-going fine, thought I would try them on floor in there. About 10 mins of each exploring mostly where the other one had been. She kept brushing past him but no nipping. She then went nose to nose and started grooming/nibbling , he just moved his head when it was a bit rough-still OK. She then went around the back and started to mount. This resulted in a fight where neither would back down, rolling on the floor big chunks of fur flying. Had to separate them. It was 50/50 and neither seemed traumatised by it.
I think there are positive signs and they are interested but neither will defer to other. He seems more laid back but retaliates fiercely when his boundaries are crossed. It makes it really difficult to read. This has led to a bite for her and a big lump of fur off one of them (not sure which as they are similar colours-he had loose fur, could not see any off her but it looked more like hers). She is now marking around the pen and going to him. turning her back then weeing. Next minute they are nose to nose. She goes up to the pen, seems to acknowledge him, turns her back then flops away from him.
As neither seems inclined to back down I do not know whether I should give up on it or try to build on positives. I think the last encounter would have got nasty if left. If they really disliked each other it would be easier to figure this out but it seems to be the mounting and wanting to be the boss that is the problem. He is also acting submissively then turning when she tries to assert herself.
The fur pulling went on when I intoduced her to her last companion but he ran off and kept out of her way for a bit and there was no real aggression. She also alternated the fur pulling with lots of licks. There were never any tussles like this, no mounting, biting or big chunks of fur.
Would you give up on this or keep trying?
Update= marking getting worse from her. Thought her going to the pen and lying near was positive now thinking it is just territorial. Seem to stand with backs to each other at boundary as well. Finding this stressful and do not want to start again if it is going nowhere.The four times other than in the tub has led to worrying incidents when they get near each other. She was so bonded to her last companion and I want that again for her. Not sure I am going to get it with these two though. I feel sorry for him as he had been outside in a cage on his own without much exercise prior to rescue. Just wonder if it is all too much for him as well. Feeling guilty either way. Bonding a free roam seems more complicated as well as most advice seems to centre on cages. At moment wishing I had never started it.
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