M&F Duo Chasing

[forthebuns!]

Hi guys!

I've been bonding a pair of rabbits (Male: Neutered May 2025, and Female: Spayed September 2025) since last week Monday (24/11/2025) and it has been going great (sort of)! I'm bonding them in a small-ish (1m x 1m), we did start smaller (about 60cm x 60cm), neutral area and am using the 24/7 bonding method. There have been lots of positive behaviours, such as mutual grooming, asking to be groomed, eating together, flopping and as well as lying beside one another and snuggling.

The only issue that I seem to be having is that the female will sometimes chase the male (for about 5 seconds), this would also happen in the smaller pen but I honestly think the female was getting frustrated and bored with the small space. The male is super submissive and won't try chase her back or nip or bite at her or anything, so she'll kind of just get bored and stop chasing him. Which he will then continue to eat or do whatever he was doing. This chasing seems to only sometimes occur when he's getting comfortable and will move about the bonding area. Don't worry he is still able to eat and drink water!

They are meant to be going home to their owner this weekend however I'm not sure if I should keep them longer, try something else or if this bond will not work (which I highly doubt). Any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[Omi]

I agree it doesn't sound as though the bond won't work. It sounds as though you have done very well with them. As you are probably aware it is completely usual for chasing to occur during bonding. The fact that the other bunny is not becoming aggressive and protesting is the hoped for reaction. It's usually the case that the chaser will become bored with the chasing after a while and that is what I expect will happen with these two.

I suspect that when they go home, whenever that is, this could result in an increase in the chasing. I think whether you keep them longer or not would depend on how capable the owners are in continuing with the bonding process. I think the only possible change I would consider from what you are doing, would be to increase the size of their area. This might result in the female having to chase further and then possibly get fed up with that sooner. I still think that the change when they go home will be a little unsettling for them, so would need to be carefully handled.

Good luck!