Bonding and Gender Choices

A big question from many new pet owners: Buck or Doe?

Typically Bucks make better single bunny home pets as they tend to show more affection and bond better with their human long term. But that does not mean Does do not make wonderful loving family members. If you are looking for two bonded buns then two Does or a Buck/ Doe combination are the best choice. Of course, if you don't want kits, you would need to alter the Buck/Doe combination. Does can become pregnant as early as 12 weeks which is way too early for the health of your bunny.

Two Bucks can be considered to bond if they are a similar young age of 8-10 weeks or siblings. Two Bucks MUST be neutered at the earliest your Rabbit Savvy Vet recommends. Two older unneutered bucks cannot be housed together or they will develop territorial aggression as their hormones kick in.

Bonding two unbonded rabbits is a fairly basic process and should always be slow and monitored.

Sometimes even short times away will require a rebonding process.

**Transport: A bonded pair separated by transport will be in a separate area for their safety and so the transporter can monitor their food/water intake as well as poop. They may need a couple of days to rebond in their new environment. Prepare a separation until you feel comfortable with their bonding.

**Veterinary Visits: When separated for veterinary visits it is best to take care to rebond before housing together again. This may be a quick rebonding or take a couple days. Take it slow. Rabbits will come back slightly stressed and have many new smells on them. This can cause irritation in one or both of them.

**Veterinary Procedures: If one or both had surgery it is best to keep them separated where they can see each other. Keep them separated until they are fully healed and content again. Rabbits will typically do best if left to safely fully heal before reentering their bunny relationship.

Here are some wonderful websites with some great information on Bonding and genders to help you with your bonding choice and also some wonderful bonding tips.

https://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information-resource-centre/health-and-welfare/bonding-bunnies/

https://bunnylady.com/bonding-rabbits/

https://bunnylady.com/bonding-free-roam-rabbits/

https://bunnylady.com/establish-dominance/