sugarbunnies
Well-Known Member
Hello!
I am new to the forum and a still pretty new bunny owner. I rescued Fenrir (English spot and Dwarf cross), from the SD Humane Society about three weeks ago. And because I was going to start working soon, I could not let him stay by himself all day, so I decided it was time to get him a buddy. Nikolai (Mr. Niki -- American) came from the same shelter. I've had him for about two days now. He is already curious, brave, and loving. Even though I have had Fen for 3 weeks, he is still very "uninterested" in me, shy and withdrawn, etc.
Now on to the point. I may have made a mistake by attempting to introduce them so suddenly, with Nikolai just having been moved to a different home, but I admit that I wanted Niki to feel more comfortable being in a new environment with someone he could lean on.
I have an x-pen I keep Fen in while I am away. So, I kept Fen in the pen, and let Niki roam around in my bedroom. At first they sniffed, and then there was digging through the bars. Fen at first was scared and merely jumped back. This would happen off and on all day. NOTE: This was not a biting through the bars kind of deal, I watched them carefully.
That night (I had done research prior, asked tons of questions at the shelter, etc), and put them in neutral territory: the bathroom. I did not put them in the tub but allowed them the floor. They sniffed. Fen mounted Niki and humped him... um, ferociously. NOTE: They are both neutered males. 9mo and 1yr.
Niki was okay with it for about 20 seconds, then flipped out and aggression ensued. They were fighting. I QUICKLY broke it up (while not very smart, I reached picked one of them up, disregarding I could have gotten bitten very easily). Chunks of hair littered the floor, otherwise they were okay. I felt terrible that I had stressed Niki out so badly. I held him and calmed him down. Fen seemed not to be bothered; in fact, he laid down. I decided that this was not a good idea to try again that night.
I read that mixing their scents was a good idea, so I put Niki in Fen's pen without cleaning it yet. They will come meet eachother at the bars, but nothing aggressive, save a time Niki grabbed a chunk of Fen's hair.
I know it is very early, but should I give up hope that they will be able to bond in the future? Can aggressiveness be put aside?
Kind advice would be appreciated...
Thanks.
I am new to the forum and a still pretty new bunny owner. I rescued Fenrir (English spot and Dwarf cross), from the SD Humane Society about three weeks ago. And because I was going to start working soon, I could not let him stay by himself all day, so I decided it was time to get him a buddy. Nikolai (Mr. Niki -- American) came from the same shelter. I've had him for about two days now. He is already curious, brave, and loving. Even though I have had Fen for 3 weeks, he is still very "uninterested" in me, shy and withdrawn, etc.
Now on to the point. I may have made a mistake by attempting to introduce them so suddenly, with Nikolai just having been moved to a different home, but I admit that I wanted Niki to feel more comfortable being in a new environment with someone he could lean on.
I have an x-pen I keep Fen in while I am away. So, I kept Fen in the pen, and let Niki roam around in my bedroom. At first they sniffed, and then there was digging through the bars. Fen at first was scared and merely jumped back. This would happen off and on all day. NOTE: This was not a biting through the bars kind of deal, I watched them carefully.
That night (I had done research prior, asked tons of questions at the shelter, etc), and put them in neutral territory: the bathroom. I did not put them in the tub but allowed them the floor. They sniffed. Fen mounted Niki and humped him... um, ferociously. NOTE: They are both neutered males. 9mo and 1yr.
Niki was okay with it for about 20 seconds, then flipped out and aggression ensued. They were fighting. I QUICKLY broke it up (while not very smart, I reached picked one of them up, disregarding I could have gotten bitten very easily). Chunks of hair littered the floor, otherwise they were okay. I felt terrible that I had stressed Niki out so badly. I held him and calmed him down. Fen seemed not to be bothered; in fact, he laid down. I decided that this was not a good idea to try again that night.
I read that mixing their scents was a good idea, so I put Niki in Fen's pen without cleaning it yet. They will come meet eachother at the bars, but nothing aggressive, save a time Niki grabbed a chunk of Fen's hair.
I know it is very early, but should I give up hope that they will be able to bond in the future? Can aggressiveness be put aside?
Kind advice would be appreciated...
Thanks.