We recently lost our 6yr old rabbit Mocha who was Muffin's partner for 3 years since she was a baby.
Muffin is spayed (or is it neutered...I always get these confused).
Yesterday we adopted Jack - an unaltered male (approx 8-12 mo old). I intend to have him neutered, however I have a question regarding when to bond them.
Muffin is skittish, difficult to catch and she lives in a large outdoor habitat which includes a secure 7' x 12' enclosure with a 4' x 6' shed with a pet door that houses her food etc. She shared this with Mocha.
I currently have Jack in a purchased cage on a stand within the enclosure. My thought was that it would allow them to become familiar with each others scent prior to actual introductions.
Dilemma #1 - not great planning on my part but we are going away for a week in August (about 5 weeks from now) and I am not sure if I should start bonding them now (before he is neutered) or wait until after. My concern is that if I wait, we won't have enough time to feel confident they are okay before we go on vacation (since it is recommended to wait at least 2 wks after neutering before attempting bonding).
Question #1 - what are your thoughts? Bond before neutering or wait until after neuter and vacation to attempt bonding and leave them in their current setup until then?
Dilemma #2 - I have done more research on bonding now and realize I may have a problem. Since Muffin is timid, does not like handling, and has a large area to run in (and get away from us in) she does not usually let us get close enough to pick her up. Since Mocha died it has been even worse, although is slowly getting better. I am not confident I can catch her to put her in a neutral area...
Question #2 - do you think we could introduce them in the existing enclosure if Jack is left in his cage for her to get used to him and his scent for a while? And slowly introduce him into her space?
Thanks in advance. I appreciate the advice.
Sharleen
Muffin is spayed (or is it neutered...I always get these confused).
Yesterday we adopted Jack - an unaltered male (approx 8-12 mo old). I intend to have him neutered, however I have a question regarding when to bond them.
Muffin is skittish, difficult to catch and she lives in a large outdoor habitat which includes a secure 7' x 12' enclosure with a 4' x 6' shed with a pet door that houses her food etc. She shared this with Mocha.
I currently have Jack in a purchased cage on a stand within the enclosure. My thought was that it would allow them to become familiar with each others scent prior to actual introductions.
Dilemma #1 - not great planning on my part but we are going away for a week in August (about 5 weeks from now) and I am not sure if I should start bonding them now (before he is neutered) or wait until after. My concern is that if I wait, we won't have enough time to feel confident they are okay before we go on vacation (since it is recommended to wait at least 2 wks after neutering before attempting bonding).
Question #1 - what are your thoughts? Bond before neutering or wait until after neuter and vacation to attempt bonding and leave them in their current setup until then?
Dilemma #2 - I have done more research on bonding now and realize I may have a problem. Since Muffin is timid, does not like handling, and has a large area to run in (and get away from us in) she does not usually let us get close enough to pick her up. Since Mocha died it has been even worse, although is slowly getting better. I am not confident I can catch her to put her in a neutral area...
Question #2 - do you think we could introduce them in the existing enclosure if Jack is left in his cage for her to get used to him and his scent for a while? And slowly introduce him into her space?
Thanks in advance. I appreciate the advice.
Sharleen
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