Earlier today, I stumbled upon a great video on rabbit bonding. I included it as a ‘resource’ with my last post about Gracie and Oreo’s bunny bonding gone bad. Because I think it’s so good, I thought it deserved its own post.
This post, is mainly a placeholder for myself, but it’s such a great reference that I hope if someone stumbles upon my site (while searching for information on the correct way to bond bunnies) they will benefit from it also.
In addition to the above video, I noticed that the Binky Bunny website had an excellent forum on bonding bunnies. Over the past few weeks, I’ve casually browsed that website but today was the first time I noticed a forum about rabbit bonding. Searching the bonding forum was refreshing since I found a lot of great posts from rabbit owners who were attempting to bond their rabbits. While some didn’t have too much issue, others ran into similar issues like I experienced. Seeing successful friendships develop between rabbits that were initially fighting ‘tooth and nail’ was extremely encouraging.
For those of you that don’t know, they are 6-7 month old sisters that we adopted in November and they were fine with each other’s company for about a week until one big scrap whioch forced us to separate them. They are currently living in “X-Pens” next door to each other.
I really don’t know what happened next one minute they were about a metre apart and the next they were lunging at each other! Luckily I got in the way pretty quickly and I bore the brunt of it. Ariel got my hand quite badly (its only just stopped bleeding). I picked Ariel up to seperate the two and calm the situation (Ariels usually the easier one to pick up and responds better to it than Miranda, who just seems to get more wound up if shes picked up), tried to put them back together after a few minutes to try to end on a positive note but they weren’t having any of it so it was separation straight away again. I think Miranda may have been quite upset by it as she did a wee straight over the side of the litter tray almost straight away after the fight and i’ve never seen her do that before, they are pretty much perfectly litter trained. They looked pretty upset when I put them back in their pens too.
To this…
Hello all!
Well its been nearly 2 weeks since we moved the buns in together in our bedroom and they seem ‘cemented’! We have cleaned the lounge with vinegar and have set up a new home for them, complete with logs for them to climb on!
From reading that post, it took several weeks before the two female rabbits were bonded.
Yesterday, Gracie (our lionhead rabbit) had her Health & Wellness exam. As you can see there are a few things different about her. A shaved mouth and stitches!
Sweet Gracie grooming herself
Rabbit Bonding
I’ve been keeping Oreo and Gracie separate until they bond. Females rabbits can be a bit challenging but it’s doable if you have patience. I have plenty of that. In the past, I’ve successfully bonded females. It’s not advised to put them in the room unsupervised. It could be like WWE in bunny land! What with the potential of kicking bunny feet, boxing front paws, fur flying, and who knows what else. You don’t want that!
With Oreo and Gracie, the initial introductions were done in a area neutral to both of them. Both were in small cages a few inches apart from each other. It gave them a chance to sniff each other. That was successful so I then moved the cages close together. They were in touching distance. They sniffed and seemed fine. Since that worked well, I moved on to the next phase.
Monday night when Gracie hopped up to Oreo’s cage to say hi, instead of sniffing her Oreo nicked her through the cage. Which left me wondering. How in the world did she manage to do that? The cage bars are small, so I’m guessing her nails on her front paws or her hind legs might have swiped her? The bleeding was minimal and Gracie was hopping around like normal (sporting a cut) after a bit of consolation from my daughter, Angel and me. Even though she looked fine. I still felt like such a bad fur mom!
Sighs…
I immediately called the vet and relayed what happened. I told them that although she was cut, she was still her inquisitive self, hopping around and eating. Since I had already scheduled an appointment for the following day, they told me they’d check her out then.
The black stitches really stand out on Gracie’s white fur. Trust me, it’s not as bad as it looks.
Upon arrival at the animal hospital Gracie’s vet (same as Oreo’s) had a chance to thoroughly check her. She recommended laceration surgery. I was expecting this, based on the lengthy research I’d done on Monday night. Gracie’s vet also said that I didn’t have to get the procedure; however, she strongly recommended it since it would ensure that it didn’t get infected and the stitches would help it heal correctly. Of course I chose surgery!
We left Gracie at the vet. We returned home and waited for the call. Those time drug by… I was extremely worried, but tried not to show it since my daughter blamed herself. Of course I told her this wasn’t her fault. We both were concerned about Gracie and were hoping she was fine. Three hours later, we received the call that her surgery was successful! I must say we both were relieved to get that call.
Upon returning to the animal hospital, her vet gave me a lot of meds to give her during the recovery process. We also noticed that Gracie was now sporting a new look; fur shaved close near her mouth and she now had black stitches to help the cut heal properly. Even with the new appearance, we were thrilled to see that Gracie was fine. I must say, it was great to see our furbaby again. My daughter and I both gave her gentle hugs.
Gracie had just received her medication when I took this picture. As you can see, she really loves celery!
How much was the procedure? The surgery, with medication (and other services administered) totaled $236. Several years ago, I created a savings account just for my pets. You know, in case, an unexpected surgery happened. Besides yesterday, I’ve only had to use it one time. That was with Hanuman, my silver mitt ferret. He loved rubber and swallowed part of a rubber ball. I’m still trying to figure out how he managed to do that! That surgery was $168.
Gracie is back to normal
Despite the unexpected events, Gracie is doing fine. She still likes to be held, loves to lick us and loves hopping beside me while I read. My Hiya Hiya knitting needles fascinate her and she likes to nose them while I knit. It’s so cute!
This sweet bunny loves being around others. I have to thank “A” again for being such an awesome fur mom to this delightful bunny. Our biggest challenge will be slowing her down a bit so she can heal.
Oreo is fine
Oreo is doing fine also and I don’t blame her for this unexpected event. I blame myself. Oreo is our timid girl, but over the past few weeks she’s been coming out her shell. I do wonder what type of life she had before she came to live with us. She was one year and eight days old when we adopted her from the Humane Society of Harford County.
Oreo now lets me hold her. She does interact with Mr. Bentley and Angel (without feeling threatened.)
The challenge will be bonding the two female rabbits; Oreo and Gracie. We’ll pick up bonding after Gracie has been spayed. I’m not planning on scheduling Gracie’s surgery until October. Hormones, can be a factor in how well the bonding sessions go and once she’s spayed that should help tremendously!
What I would have done differently
Although they seemed to get along, I should have taken more time before allowing Gracie in Oreo’s room. Yes, Oreo was confined to her home/cage, but she’s marked that entire room! In her bunny mind, that room is hers!
I will say, even if they never like each other, they both still have a furever home with us. We love both of them and can’t think of our home without them.
I must say that the transition is coming along quite nicely.
Mommy, wait for me! I caught Gracie in mid hop as she was running behind me.
She’s becoming my little shadow and follows me around everywhere I go. Quilts were put down on our wooden floors, until she gets used to the slippery surface.
Gracie’s extremely playful and friendly. She enjoys playing with my daughter and me. We’ve already discovered that she likes us to play ‘tag’ with her. She runs close to us, bumps us with her nose and then runs off a bit, looking to see if we follow her. Once we follow and ‘tag’ her, she’ll chase us! I’ve had a few rabbits in the past that would do this also. It’s so sweet to be included in bunny play time.
Yawns, enough with the pictures. It’s my naptime!
Since I still had my collapsible Midwest Ferret Nation, I moved it from the shed, cleaned it and made a proper resting area for Gracie. Soft terry towels were laid on the floor, hay and leafy greens were put out for her to snack on whenever she was hungry. And of course, there’s her glass water bottle. That gets changed daily.
I also added a cardboard box to her resting area. It makes an excellent hideout for when she wants privacy, and it also gives her something safe to chew. Bunnies teeth are constantly growing. It’s important that they keep them filed. After a few hours of play, she was ready to go to her new resting area and take a nap. A few hours might not seem like a lot of playtime for a young bunny. I’ve had three as an adult an the young ones never seem to tire, but Gracie is in a new environment. So even though she seems to be doing well. I’m sure she still has to adjust. She seems to have claimed her home as her ‘safe haven.’ As with Oreo, currently, we keep them in their homes when we can’t watch them.
Gracie is another rescue. She’s a young lionhead rabbit. I think she’s about four months old?
Lionhead bunnies are one of the newest rabbit breeds.
And like most rabbits, she loves to get into everything.
Gracie meeting Oreo
I have no time to write about her (this evening) and how I acquired her from “A” (a truly amazing lady.) But I’ll be sure to post the story some time soon. Well, if you are my contacts that I sent a ‘Custom message’ to on Facebook than you know some of the story. All, I’ll say is that I’m thrilled that she now has a forever home and I’m truly thankful that A rescued her.
I’ll be sure to post a post spay care guide (along with pictures) someday soon. My daughter and I just got finished playing with her and Angel the guinea pig. Mr. Bentley, our Shih Tzu, wasn’t included since he was doing much more important things (sleeping.)
The poor girl knew something was up and shivered the entire time we were in the SUV. Once we arrived at the facility, we waited for a few moments while they got her paperwork ready. Because of the slight delay, I opened up her kennel and started petting her to calm her down. It worked, and she flopped down in her endearing, “I really like this, please don’t stop position.” She became so relaxed, that by the time the technician came to get her, she was fine and let the vet tech pick her up without struggling.
Recycled picture of Oreo
I Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
New American Standard Bible
My daughter is worried about her little playmate, hoping that she’ll be fine. I told her that spaying is a standard procedure, barring unforeseen complications, she’d have her fur bunny back in no time.
Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two [a]cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
New American Standard Bible
I also told her we could pray that the surgery would go smoothly. If God doesn’t forget sparrows, he’s surely watching over bunnies too.
Mahalia Jackson: His Eye Is On The Sparrow
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
(alternative first verse) Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows fall
Why should my heart be troubled, When all but hope is gone?
when Jesus is my fortress. My constant friend is He.
His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me!
Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Oreo’s check up went well and her vet told us to keep doing what we’re doing. While there, I did schedule an appointment for her to be spayed so Oreo will be going back to the animal hospital two weeks from now.
Why… hello there? What are you?
Since she received a clean bill of health from her doctor. I thought a proper introduction to our furbabies was in order. Oreo an Angel were able to hang out for a few hours.
Oreo matches my daughter’s blanket!
And although they were polite and got a chance to do more than sniff each other, both of them were interested in doing their own thing. Oreo was content to scamper about my daughter’s room being adorable and getting into everything she possibly could!
What about Angel?
Angel loves to burrow and play in her shredded paper box. If you look closely, you’ll see one red eye peeping out at me. 🙂
Well… Ms. Angel was happy as a pig in a box of shredded paper!
There’s one furbaby missing and that would be Bentley, our Shih Tzu. We’ll be letting them hang out sometime tomorrow.
