r/Rabbits • u/serena_coniglia • Jul 01 '25
Bonding A pretty cute dilemma
Bax and Mini Mousse are the dream couple. Seven years, together for six, neither takes a step without the other. They cuddle, kiss, steal each other's lettuce, they love each other madly. Now a few days ago, Bunmom friends found a baby rabbit abandoned on the street. Some vile bastard left him on the highway trapped in small cage. We still don't know if it’s a boy or a girl, but it's clear that we need to find a family for them. What if we don't find anyone, and we take him home with us? Mom is so scared that this could cause problems in the couple. She doesn't want the little lovebirds to fight or for Baxy, so small, to suffer or feel left out. That's why we've never taken another one in, and that’s why we're hesitating although we really want to help. We don't want to hold back to help, but we would never forgive ourselves if we wronged these two. What to do? There's plenty of room…
[Swipe! Candidate baby bun in last pic]
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u/Suspicious_Tailor542 Jul 01 '25
I have to tell my wife all the time that we can't save ALL the animals. If it's not a good fit or we can't fit the needs of the animal then we'll do everything to find a rescue or adoption that can accommodate.
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u/Deldenary Jul 01 '25
Gods I wish my brother would tell his gf that. They have 4 dogs, and 3 cats into their tiny apartment.... they can't even afford to get them all fixed. He just doesn't have the balls to tell her no to anything.
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u/FarRockRabbitRescuer Jul 02 '25
Aspca/ Animal control may help with the spay/neuter costs as part of their surrender prevention program. Alternatively, you can ask rescues to lend you their rescue discount so you can get them cheaper. In NYC there are low cost spay and neuter clinics who perform surgeries at a fraction of the cost. Perhaps something similar is available in your state/city.
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u/Good_Attorney_8410 Jul 01 '25
my boyfriend does the same😂 i’ve brought home 3 cats from by the dumpster at work and we haven’t been able to keep any of them because of our queen girl sage. honestly, i’d rather keep my baby happy and healthy than bring another animal in that could hurt her!
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u/gothboyorwhatever Jul 01 '25
It really sounds like it wouldn't be the best situation. If it were me, I would help find a shelter for them. Rabbits are very particular, and it could be very dangerous to introduce them, especially if the new Rabbit isn't spayed/neutered. There is also a risk of your buns at home getting sick if not vaccinated. If you are unsure or not necessarily want them, they are a huge commitment, especially if they are more destructive than your original buns. It's a shame people dump rabbits, they are good pets but lots folks think they are getting a plush.
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 01 '25
Thank you for your advice. I am not necessarily worried about diseases etc. my babies are regularly vaccinated and I would spay/neuter the new one as soon as the vet clears them to do so. Of course I’d keep them separated at first. I would absolutely love to take care of another rabbit and I would be very committed whatever happens. I have plenty of space and ready to spoil another one with proper care and love just like I spoil these two. My only issue is that I do not want to ruin the couple. So yes, I’m leaning towards finding a different family for them
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u/Tacitus111 Jul 01 '25
Just be clear that in introducing a third rabbit, you may well break their bond. That is a risk. Or it may change their relationship in general. Bonding trios is harder than bonding duos as well.
Just be aware of what you’re walking into before you do it is all.
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u/Amphy64 Jul 01 '25
I would worry about chronic pasteurella and Ec in a rabbit from a bad background, vaccinations won't prevent them and stress can bring them out.
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u/berlinbunny- Jul 01 '25
If you have lots of room and that’s not an issue, you can set up a separate enclosure for the rescue bun away from your bonded pair. Lots of people do that with rabbits that don’t get along t
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u/infinity_gabi Jul 01 '25
Maybe you could get a partner for the new baby so everyone has a pair and then keep both couples separated to not break any bonds?
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Jul 02 '25
I would take her..but probably keep her separate. You said you have plenty of room, does that include making a separate area? I have rescued several buns….and have 3 separate living areas. lol One shy little guy that free roams in my bedroom. One new rescue has the living room/ den area. And our study is the bunny room. We have 4 in there. So it really depends on the level of commitment you are willing to give. It’s a lot of work, but I love it 🥰
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 02 '25
Lovely! Are they always separated or do they meet in some occasions? We have a garden area where they go outside (only on my watch), when I’m home. I can easily arrange separate rooms but I’m not sure how I would go about the outdoor. It’s currently their favorite part to roam free. I just wish they could all be friends and just go binky and frolic outside lol
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Jul 02 '25
I have an outdoor bunny garden too! They all get along outside for the most part. Sometimes a minor chase, but nothing serious. It’s neutral territory so would be a great way to introduce them. At one point I had 9 and they all would play together. The main thing would be the gender, how they will react having 2 girls or 2 boys. But being so young they may just take the little one in as a child and not fight for dominance. In your situation I personally would go for it….but I’m always taking in rescues so I’m used to the bunny drama. lol As for them seeing each other, I use wood folding gates. They have the bars so they can meet each other. Our newest rescue was an intact male, and has only been fixed for about 2 weeks. So he is still pretty aggressive to the other males and just wants to mark and spray. 😖But I’m hoping with lots of time and work he can eventually go into the bunny room and make friends 😊
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u/Tiramissu_dt Jul 01 '25
I think if you have the means maybe you can at least try... it's worth it rather than the bun possibly having to face another neglect/the hell of rehoming over and over.
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u/sneakers0023 Jul 01 '25
personally, i wouldn’t. my two boys were bffs and one of my buns developed a health issue that broke their bond. it sucks
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u/MrJamesLucas Jul 01 '25
Don't intro a new bun. You've got a good thing with those 2, so don't risk that. That s not to mention any potential diseases that can spread. You can try to find it a good home. If you really must keep it (i understand the urge and have done it myself with a roadside rescue), have it checked thoroughly by a vet, tested for most common rabbit conditions and infections, vaccinated, and keep it separate from the others. Even different patches of ground etc for a while. Don't let it mix with the others 2 ever, and get it a friend if it's own (Also did that). It's a lot of work though.
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u/Bunz_Account Jul 01 '25
I was in somewhat of a similar situation. I found a bun on the road. Took her to the vet. She had fleas but otherwise healthy. The Vet advised I could leave her with a rescue.
I know how overwhelmed the rescues already are so it didn't really sit right. Decided to keep her. She is separate from my other buns. Perfectly happy and best of all I don't have any regrets.
I'll also add that I don't have much space but I made it work.
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 01 '25
Did you ever try to get them to bond?
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u/Bunz_Account Jul 01 '25
I did. But they had a scuffle and the new bun Pickles managed to bite my other girl Bunzo on her belly and she let out a scream. So my heart couldn't take a second attempt. 😂
Now they just see each other through a gate every day when pickles get some time to run about.
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 01 '25
Oh noo poor Bunzo! Also, her name screams show me a pic
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 01 '25
Awww WAIT I SAWW HERRRR IN YOUR PROFILE SHE IS MAJESTIC JUST WHAT I EXPECTED FOR A BUN NAMED BUNZO. Absolute perfection
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u/Thebunnylady17 Jul 01 '25
I would see if any rescues can take the bunno in! Might have someone who can foster ☺️
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u/xxmidnight_cookiexx Jul 01 '25
I had two boys and added a lady to their trio. They are all so happy and get along really well! When I added the third bunny, she bonded really quickly to them. It mightve been a lucky case of personality!
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u/DisobedientSwitch Jul 01 '25
I was in much the same boat a year ago. We started with a safe test of letting the baby hang out with a clean blanket, and then putting the blanket with my pair. They were curious without being aggressive or acting out, so we prepared to adopt baby bun.
Adoption never happened. Friend who found her called me up, sobbing, saying she can't possibly let her go, ever! Now we're aunties to each other's pair (because of course she would adopt a friend for the baby).
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 01 '25
Haha your friend is so cute! Love the aunties thing 🥰
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u/DisobedientSwitch Jul 01 '25
She felt so bad about betraying me! On the other hand, I was kinda relieved to not go through bonding a triad. My girl is... opinionated 😅 But my point is, try the blanket test first to see how Bax and Mini react to the scent of another rabbit, and go from there. And really think through if this is a project you want to risk.
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u/Big-Manner1147 Jul 01 '25
I have a a thruple and they get along great. It’s totally up to you. Either way thank goodness that you saved that bun!!!🐰🐰
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u/alienlady Jul 01 '25
I have three buns with two being bonded and the third being single. We tried to bond all three but ultimately the pair was too closely bonded to let bunny number three in. You do risk breaking the bond by bringing in a third, but thankfully my pair just wanted to go back to loving on each other once we split the third from them. It can work in some cases but is it tough. The third single bun gets a lot of loving from humans and seems ok this way. With that said, we are fortunate to be able to give them all space and time. Sometimes I wonder if it's cruel to keep her single, but then I consider that I found her dumped and left to fend for herself. Also, even in a rescue her life would be worse. As fantastic as they are, they can only provide so much care and socialization. Thanks for caring for your buns. Follow your gut.
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u/Mumster Jul 01 '25
Male rabbits can reproduce even as early as 3 months old. They cannot be fixed until somewhere between 4-6 months. Even with both of your neutered bonded buns, you are likely to have a lot of trouble until he is fixed. It’s very hard to get an unneutered bun to bond, and they can be very aggressive (and pretty stinky and gross) until they are neutered. If you choose to give him a home with you, please keep him separated from your bonded pair until he’s neutered and healed.
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u/noochcat1017 Jul 01 '25
I attempted to bond a trio. Similar situation. I had a rescue I was “fostering” and would not have minded at all for it to have been a foster fail. My two were a love at first sight bond but also very clearly had a much more dominant rabbit and submissive one. I was not overwhelmingly concerned of a bond break at all bc my one rabbit was so incredibly submissive. They did not bond to the new bunny. The submissive rabbit was friendly and accepting and was dominated by the new bunny instantly. My other bun and the new bun had issues though as they both wanted to be dominant and both were females (spayed obv). Ultimately she found a lovely home and my two had no issues what so ever.
I do not necessarily recommend this as there is serious risk with it. I was fairly confident in my situation. The dynamics were incredibly clear and my rabbits had clear boundaries with one another.
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u/serena_coniglia Jul 01 '25
Yeah they can be like that! My girl, Mini Mousse (brown bun) is the dominant bun in their couple. If the new bun happens to be a female I don’t think Mousse will accept her
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u/FarRockRabbitRescuer Jul 02 '25
If you absolutely want to keep the bun, you can try bonding them to form a trio. It has been done before. It may not work immediately and you have to put in the time and work & be patient. The 3rd bun however needs to be fecal / blood work tested and fixed before you even attempt to bond.
There's also a very real chance it doesn't work out though, and it may disrupt the balance you have with your existing pair. You have to keep that in mind because it CAN happen.
You can PM me for more info. I'm part of a rescue who helps bond pairs. I've never tried a trio but I know people who have.
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u/Secret_Coat_8071 Jul 01 '25
Honestly, I would try keeping the new bun, get.it checked out and it seems like you really want to give it a good life. You can try bonding, if it doesn't work, keep em separate. Ive seen groups of 3 work great, I currently have 2 that are not bonded so they are separated. I would like to try bonding again in a while.
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u/Tiramissu_dt Jul 01 '25
Maybe you can at least try? I don't think it would be problematic in an already bonded couple
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u/RabbitsModBot Jul 01 '25
Bonding three or more rabbits can be a very different task than bonding just two rabbits together.
Please be aware that introducing new rabbits can break up any existing bonds if it was not very strong. You may end up with different groups or single rabbits as a result. Please be prepared for the latter to happen before you decide to bring more than two rabbits into a household.
Please check out the resources in our Bonding guide and Binkybunny's Bonding overview for more tips on the process.
A few useful shortcuts: