2 weeks in bonding, still nipping

[zurkio1401]

Our bunny Penny has lost her bonded partner Coin over 2 weeks ago. They were bonded for over 5 years. A few days after Coins passing we got another Bunny called Bucky as Penny was falling into depression quickly. We have been doing at a minimum 1 (one) bonding session per day and for the last 2 days we have done 2 per day.

During the day and night, they are separated by a gate. When at the gate Penny eats hay, her pellets and flops right by the gate, licks the floor when he's near and even ignores Bucky. Same goes for him. He even goes as far as chinning the gate where she is at that moment.

During the bonding sessions in the neutral space Penny is a lot more territorial. She extends her head quickly (not a full lunge) and nips him whenever he's near. 80% of the time in the sessions is filled with them ignoring each other, eating hay and flipping/loafing.

Bucky is a little bit wary of her just now and thumps even if she isn't nipping, but definitely not scared as he keeps trying to reach out to her or go near her, and keeps flopping.

Should we stop her nipping during the sessions or do we just have to have patience that she will stop herself? We have had a couple of sessions where she only nipped once and then even "bit the air" while extending her head.

Attached is an image of what 80% of bonding sessions look like.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[joey&boo]

Keep going, it all sounds to be moving in the right direction & what you've said sounds good. Often when bonding there is one undesirable behaviour (my last bond it was relentless chasing) that takes a while to ebb away - so long as the other bun is taking it in their stride & no injuries.
If you were doing a 24/7 bond they'd be less than a day in. Good luck

 

[tonibun]

It is very soon since she lost her partner so she needs lots of time to readjust. You will just have to be patient.

 

[SuthSeaxe]

To be fair, my Halloumi still nips her (spayed - 3 weeks ago) daughter from time to time. One moment they are nice and cuddly and she will suddenly snag a chunk of fur and chase her off! Sometimes, I wonder if it's just how they are...

 

[Shimmer]

To be fair, my Halloumi still nips her (spayed - 3 weeks ago) daughter from time to time. One moment they are nice and cuddly and she will suddenly snag a chunk of fur and chase her off! Sometimes, I wonder if it's just how they are...

3 weeks isn't very long after neutering. There will still be hormonal issues going on. Hopefully things will continue to settle down over thenext month or so.

 

[SuthSeaxe]

3 weeks isn't very long after neutering. There will still be hormonal issues going on. Hopefully things will continue to settle down over thenext month or so.

True, though Halloumi was spayed back in April. I thought she would have calmed down now, even if Enya hasn't!

 

[Omi]

I do think that some Does will just continue to do this. There is also a big difference between nipping and biting.

My girlie, Tui, was spayed well over 7 years ago and has been with her bonded, neutered, male partner for over 3 years. They are extremely attached and spend most of their days cuddling. However.......they are also hand fed four times a day with a few pellets each time. Most times and certainly if she thinks she is not getting fed first or fast enough, she will give her partner a (friendly) nip, always on his bum. He takes absolutely no notice of course

I would just give it time and observe how this behaviour is tolerated by Bucky.

 

[SuthSeaxe]

I do think that some Does will just continue to do this. There is also a big difference between nipping and biting.

My girlie, Tui, was spayed well over 7 years ago and has been with her bonded, neutered, male partner for over 3 years. They are extremely attached and spend most of their days cuddling. However.......they are also hand fed four times a day with a few pellets each time. Most times and certainly if she thinks she is not getting fed first or fast enough, she will give her partner a (friendly) nip, always on his bum. He takes absolutely no notice of course

I would just give it time and observe how this behaviour is tolerated by Bucky.

Halloumi does sometimes pull out a chunk of fur! To honest, they have been very placid since they have been cleaned, let out in the garden and fed.