Can anyone provide guidance on re-bonding rabbits after one has undergone surgery? Our three-year-old doe recently had surgery for bladder stones a week ago. When she returned, we allowed her to say hello to buck and free roam as usual, but he immediately nipped her. He detected her weaknes .To help her heal, we set up a separate area in the front room for her and moved him in the same room so they could still be near each other. She’s recovering well, and they’ve been sniffing each other through the pen panels at night. He is not allowed to free roam yet. During a 20-minute bonding session in the bathroom today, she put her head down under him to seek a dominance and he licked her, and when she put her head under him multiple times, he seemed irritated and nipped her again, which scared her. She did not have a chance to lick him back yet. Previously, we weren’t certain about their dominance dynamics, but now it seems he’s asserting dominance due to her weakened state. What’s the best way to re-bond rabbits following illness?
re-bonding rabbits after one has undergone surgery
- Thread starter zuzcho
- Start date
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
I have responded to your PM 
I would re-bond them in a neutral area which possibly means the boy might chase the female just to re-assert his dominance. I would make sure the girl is fully recovered from her surgery before attempting this. As they have already been bonded it shouldn't take long to get them back together. Diet might have been to blame for her problem so hopefully you will look into this.
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