Bonding Bunnies - How to go about introductions

INTRODUCTIONS in Bonding

A TWO CAGE SET-UP

Like I said in my first bonding bunny post, the first thing you need to know is the importance of two separate cages until the bunnies are bonded. Even if you threw two bunnies in a cage together and they didn't bother each other initially, they could end up fighting and SERIOUSLY injure one or both bunnies. Once you have purchased and arranged both cages with toys, water bowls, litter boxes, etc, you'll want to place the cages next to each other with at least 5 inches of space between. This will insure that neither bunny can bite or scratch.

Having the two cages in the same room and next to each other is really important. This allows each bunny to get use to the other bunny's scent. They also might find comfort and become at ease with the other if you feed them at the same time. This way they are associating seeing the other bunny with the yumminess of food.

FIRST STEP: DATES

Bonding is all about the dates :) You'll need a neutral place to do the introductions. This ensures neither bunny will be territorial with can lead to some serious fighting. I think the best place to do introductions is a bathtub. You can use a pen as well in a part of the house neither bunny has been. Just make sure the introduction spot is a small confined area.

You should expect some sniffing, circling, and mounting. This is completely normal. This is when the two bunnies decide who the dominant and who the submissive is. DO NOT, however, let the bunnies fight. if one lunges, tries to scratch, or bite the other separate the bunnies. This is when gloves and a shoe come in handy. You don't want to be accidentally bitten or scratched.

You'll want to give positive reinforcement to each bunny. Try setting them side by side and petting them. Also try to feed them yummy snacks together. I have also heard of a awesome trick which entails putting banana behind each bunnies ear. When the other bunny eats the banana it tricks the bunny into believing it is being groomed. Grooming=BUNNY LOVE.

Bonding can be instant or it can take days...weeks....even months. You'll need to go into it accepting that you might have to be VERY patient. You can't rush love after all. You'll want to perform the dates every day once they start and they should last from 5 to 15 minutes.

LAST STEP: MOVING IN

Bunnies should not be put in the same cage unless you are absolutely certain they get along. I would say after two or three very positive sessions you could move them in together. You'll have to use your best judgement. I think it's always better to be safe than sorry though because bunnies can SERIOUSLY hurt each other.

HONEYMOON

Once the bunnies have moved in it's honeymoon time! For the first two weeks make sure to search each bunny's bodies for scratches or bites. If you see any sign of wounds separate them again. Once bunnies are bonded it's usually pretty rare to break the bond. It can break if there is a bad fight or if you try to bond a third bunny and it doesn't work out with the original two. Bonded rabbits are proven to be happier and healthier. You'll be happier too when you see how they love!

Bonding Bunnies - What Pair

I think most people would agree that watching bonded rabbits together is a beautiful thing. Bunnies are naturally social animals. As I've stated in a past blog post, bunnies need as much attention from their owner as a dog or a cat might. However, it seems in most cases that humans cannot provide the complete needs when it comes to the bunny's social life. Once your bunny is bonded you will see how amazing it is. The bunnies will play together, sleep together, groom each other, even get pets from you side by side.

Taking care of two bunnies isn't necessarily that much different than taking care of one. Once they are bonded they will share the same food bowl, water bowl, liter box, etc.Note: It's important to realize you will have to have two cages until the bunnies are bonded. YOU CAN NEVER throw two bunnies into the same cage without introduction. How would you feel if you were in your bedroom and some stranger walked in and sat down? You would be afraid and probably a little pissed.  However, I will say its a little more effort to take care of the bunnies.Because there are two bunnies you''ll have twice the mess. I clean the litter box at least once every three days. This isn't too terrible though, especially if you take my advice and use towels as bedding instead of $20 bags at the pet store. You can just shake out the mess outside (which is biodegradability and GREAT fertilizer) and stick it in the wash! Vwalla! Saving money and saving the environment.


The Dream Pair

So, here's the thing. I am going to tell you how it USUALLY goes down, but then you can decide for yourself because it's my belief that you can bond any two bunnies. It just might take months and I'm not sure if it's worth it to you to put that much time in.

BUCK and DOE

This is the easiest pair. This is most often the pair that has something called "love at first sight". The bunnies will get along immediately and there is little to no effort on your part.

BUCK and BUCK

This is your second best option. A bit harder than bonding a BUCK and DOE (usually) I think its worth it and my favorite pair. BUCKS tend to be more cuddly, outgoing, and friendly. So, having two is just one big cuddle and pet fest.

DOE and DOE

Ok so like I said above I do believe you can bond any two rabbits together. However, if there is a pair that would take you months to bond, it would 99% be two DOES. DOES tend to be a little more aggressive then males. They are stubborn and territorial and this could cause major issues when trying to bond one DOE to another. If you chose this route, best of luck and Id love to hear your success story so shoot me a message!

ADULT and ADULT

This tends to be the easiest pair. Adults get along with adults better.

BABY and BABY

This also tends to be an easy pair. Babies naturally tend to gravitate towards other rabbits. Because they are babies they depend on others for emotional support and comfort. Babies also like to huddle with their litter mates for warmth when sleeping. It's important to realize you MIGHT need to separate them once they get closer to being teenagers. You could end up with a litter of more babies if you have a buck and a doe. They can also end up fighting because their hormones kick in. So, you''ll want to get both babies neutered ASAP.

ADULT and BABY

I was told that this is the most difficult pair to bond. Of course, I ended up getting my baby, pascal, and wanted to bond him to Rufus. They practically fell in love. I kept them in separate cages facing each other for a good four days and Rufus did grunt a bit and try to scratch the baby's cage when he was having play time. However, I chose to carefully introduce them because Rufus and the baby seemed interested in seeing each other and BOOM it happened. I would say most Adults will not bond with a baby. I, myself, was planning on waiting months before I introduced my two together. If you want to attempt this please contact me for more details. I will totally support you, just know that you might have to wait until the baby is an adult to introduce.

WHAT BREEDS TO BOND

Good news: any breed will do! You can even bond a Dwarf with a Flemish giant. A bunny is a bunny. It's the personalities of the two bunnies that makes or breaks the bonding.



BELOW
These are my two bun buns as of March 23, 2015. The Grey (chinchilla) mini lop in the hoodie is my babes Rufus. And the brown (tort) Holland lop baby is my 8 week old Pascal :)

Getting Your Bunny Spayed/Neutered

It was recently brought to my attention that most people don't realize you can have a bunny spayed or neutered. Actually it's quite an amazing thing and I highly recommend it to anyone with a bunny. First of all, there isn't a joke about producing like rabbits for nothing. Female bunnies can produce as soon as 5 months old and they can produce literally produce minutes after giving birth. So hypothetically a female bunny could have 12 liters a year. DO NOT LET YOUR BUNNY HAVE 12 LITERS A YEAR. That is practically animal cruelty. It will hurt the mama bunny's health and the babies. I will make a future post about things to consider when breeding.

Females

For anyone who is getting or has a female rabbit and doesn't plan on breeding, I feel you should 100% get your bunny fixed. Female bunnies are very prone to ovarian cancer and this can cause pain, sickness, and even death. Also, once your female bunny has become an adult it's hormones will cause it to do things such as spraying and making nests, etc. These behaviors can be remedied by having the bunny fixed.

Males

Obviously males can't get ovarian cancer, but they can get testicular cancer. This, however, is not as common as ovarian cancer is female rabbits. I got my male rabbit fixed just to be safe. Also, getting a rabbit fixed removes the hormones. Therefore, if you are having problems with your male rabbit spraying, being aggressive, acting out, etc you can easily solve the problems by getting the bunny fixed. I cannot guarantee the behaviors will go away and especially not immediately. After getting fixed a bunny can still have hormones in their body for up to three months after surgery. This means the male can possibly still impregnate the doe even after surgery. So, please be aware of that.

Cost

Honestly, this depends on where you are located and where you take the bun bun. Vets are going to be more expensive then a clinic that does routine spaying/neutering. I found that there were no clinics around me so I had no choice. I ended up taking Rufus to the vet and it cost me about $260. This cost included pain medication they gave me that lasted for two days. It was costly because bunnies are delicate animals and need to be kept in a calm and quiet state. This takes a lot of effort from staff and vets. Yes I am a poor college student, but I do not regret my decision. I think that Rufus has a wonderful temperament and disposition and didn't want his hormones messing with that. I also knew I was going to be getting another rabbit to bond to Rufus and was not sure if it would be a doe or not. Therefore, I wanted to make sure Rufus wasn't going to be a daddy. Last but not least, I have for sure prevented testicular cancer in my baby and that puts me at ease. Although I paid over two hundred it will vary wherever you go. I have heard that clinics in some cities will do it for as little as $80. If I were you I would just call around to different places and get the rates.

In conclusion, unless you are planning on breeding your rabbit I feel that the responsible thing to do is to get your bunny fix. You''ll have a healthier bun bun :) As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Treating Depression and Anxiety with a Bunny

Ok, so before I begin, here is my disclaimer.....
I AM NOT A DOCTOR. Every patient is different and depression and anxiety are serious matters. So you should always consult with your physician!

Fewf, now that I have THAT off my chest, here is my secret weapon against my Depression and Anxiety: A Bunny. I was first diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety in May 2014, although it was thought (and my personal opinion) that I had been struggling since January 2010. I just never had the guts to talk to anyone about it and certainly avoided the topic with my doctors until it got too bad. Depression is a difficult disease and really, really started affecting my life in 2014. I was drained and unhappy with almost everything and everyone around me. It was in the fall that I started researching about getting myself a pet.

TWO WORDS: Companion Pet

Not widely recognized,it's one of the many ways people treat depression and anxiety in, what doctors call, an "alternative way". I HIGHLY recommend a companion pet to anyone who would consider it. I especially think  this is an excellent option for those who are struggling in their early twenties (Although my parents would disagree.) If you are a responsible person and willing to do the research and put in the proper amount of time needed to take care of and spend time with the animal then you are CERTAINLY an excellent subject for the treatment.

If you are a college student I know one of the biggest concerns is the living situation. Most apartments and houses you can rent wont allow pets. Do not despair! All you have to do is talk to your doctor that you see for depression and anxiety. They can write a prescription for your pet! You heard me correct! The doctor can write a prescription for an animal just like he writes a prescription for other medications! Once you have obtained this you'll want to make copies and give one to your leasing office and ask if there is other information they will need. For instance, my lease office asked for a report from the vet stating that my rabbit is in good health. Once you have turned this in you can legally have your pet whether they allow pets or not!

When your researching companion pets its typical for people to get a dog or a cat. These are excellent options. However, it is my own personal opinion that they aren't the BEST option for those of us who are in college. Dogs are A LOT of money and need lots of exercise outside of the house. They will also need to be let out to go potty multiple times a day. As for cats, if you don't have the money to declaw they could really tear up and ruin furniture and if their pee gets on anything but the liter box its almost impossible to get rid of.

The bunny was my best option and maybe yours too! Bunnies can be costly, but I made a whole blog post with tips and tricks to save you stress and money! Bunnies can also be liter trained like a cat; so no need to worry about potty issues! They are small and portable if you need to go home for spring break or something. Best of all, they are completely calming.

I have some hard days still no matter how regular I am with my medication or my dedication to seeing my counselor. On those days I lay down and simply enjoy the presence of my bunnies. I may just watch them roam around and eat, or they might come and lay on my lap for some heavenly bunny pets. Either way it's one of the best medicines. I can literally feel my blood pressure lowering.

Caring for my two bunnies does take some time and generally I am not a huge fan of cleaning; but for my bunnies I love it. I clean the cage and liter box nearly every two days. This routine on top of  the simple routine of feeding them and giving them water helps start my day off right. Having the bunnies has also given me something to really live for. Which I feel is the number one thing every person with depression needs in order to fight the disease.

Before buying a bunny as a companion pet please do your research and talk to your doctor. Bunnies need lots of inside exercise time and lots of love. In fact, I usually let my bunnies "free roam" my room like a dog or cat would since they are potty trained. Also, it's my personal opinion that you should never buy a bunny cage at a pet store. Either build a cage with Xpen parts or buy a Large or Extra Large dog crate. The dog crate is the best option in my opinion because its large for the bunny and easily folds down for travel. DO NOT buy a bunny if it's going to spend the rest of it's life in a cage.

Last but not least: There are plenty of bunnies who are depressed and anxious just like you and need to be adopted! Check in with your local humane society or search on PetFinder.com.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me :)


This is me and my babes Rufus :) Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @Onceupona_Whisker !!

Tips and Tricks

Any kind of pet can be expensive, that includes a bunny! I mean, if you are providing everything the bunny NEEDS that includes: hay, pellets, veggies, a cage, a water bowl, and a litter box. That's not even counting all the fun toys, special treats, maybe even a leash and harness that you want to get to spoil the little bun bun! So I thought I would make a list of tips and tricks to save you money and stress, because who doesn't love to save money and avoiding stress.

TIPS:

1. DO NOT BUY BEDDING
This is a number one mistake made. I mean, if you have the money and don't mind spending it go ahead and drop 20 to 40 dollars a month on bedding, but you can easily buy two cheap towels and lay one down in the liter box. It soaks up the pee and the smell and the bunnies love it. When it gets dirty throw it in the wash! HOORAY! One time buy that keeps giving!

2. DO NOT BUY HAY AT PET STORE
Ok, so right now I am buying hay at the pet store because I am a college student living in an apartment and only have room for the little bags of hay......but these are COSTLY! If you have the space to store hay go to a farming store such as Tractor Supply! You can buy a huge bale of hay for around 5 to 10 dollars and it will last you MONTHS.

3. DO NOT BUY TOYS
Again, I am guilty of doing this! It's ok to go buy your bunny a toy or two, but trust me when I say my bunnies like my homemade toys WAY better. You can easily give them a plain toilet paper roll or make cool toys out of them. Also consider weaving a little mat out of paper grocery bags or you can even get some boxes and cut holes in them! Just do some investigating on DIY bunny toys on pinterest or google because there are plenty! In the end you recycle and make your bunny happy! YAY two birds with one stone!

TRICKS:

1. SMELLY PEE
This can be easily prevented! You have two options you can try. First, you can try putting a TEENY bit of apple cider vinegar in the water bottle/bowl. Also, I have heard that if you feed your bunny mint leaves regularly that it neutralizes the smell as well. I would try the mint leaves first because bunnies LOVE herbs.

2. TREATS
As I stated above, bunnies love herbs and these are way healthier treats for them then the processed treats you buy at the pet store. To save bunny buy a flower pot or two and buy some fun herbs! I just bought a sapling of basil at my local grocery store and replanted it in a pot. I also bought some wheat grass and planted it in a pot. They continue to grow and so you have a constant supply of yummy, organic treats.

3. BATHING
Do not, I REPEAT, do not ever bathe your bunny. Usually bunnies are very cleanly animals and should rarely if ever need help getting cleaned up (With the exception of 4H bunnies.) Bathing a bunny can be very stressful for them and if you have done your research like you should have before getting a pet bunny you should know stress is NOT healthy for a bunny. However, if you do feel you need to clean your bunny or assist it baby wipes will do the trick and they are safe for the bunny.

Why A Bunny?

I have to be honest, I am fairly new to the bunny world. I got my very first bunny of my own at the end of January 2015. However, this was done after months of research. The truth is it was the best decision of my life. So, many people ask: Why a Bunny?

Besides being INCREDIBLY cute, bunnies are surprisingly extremely loyal companions. Lets get something straight, bunnies are not like a hamster. You can't just keep it in it cage and look at it each day. Rabbits are impeccably smart and intuitive creatures. They are also social and need attention and exercise daily. I like to imagine that its similar to combining the attention needed for a dog and the personality of a cat. 

Now that I have cleared up one of the biggest misconceptions of bunnies, here is the number one reason a bunny is a great pet. A bunny KNOWS who its owner is. I heard a breeder tell me once: "If a bunny learns to love you it will love you forever.". And the truth is, you will love it forever. I cannot explain to you what it feels like to be bonded to a rabbit except that it feels, peaceful, comforting, wonderful. 

Little known facts:

Rabbits can be litter box trained. 

Rabbits can be neutered 

Rabbits can live around 8-10 years

A bunny makes an amazing pet and I urge anyone who's interested to do some more research about it. I know if you get one you wont be disappointed.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @Onceupona_Whisker !!