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bonding a 3rd rabbit

22 10:13:39

Question
Hello,
I have had 2 rabbits, Pumpkin and Bunny for 3 years.  Pumpkin is a spayed girl and Bunny is a fixed male.  They are a bonded pair and live together.  They do not have a cage that they live in-only for shelter. They have their own room that they run loose in all the time.  
I recently adopted a third rabbit, Marshmallow.  She was spayed almost 3 weeks ago.  I have let her touch noses with my 2 rabbits, but that is about it because Pumpkin tried to bite her.  Marshmallow currently has her house set up in my kitchen, but I would like it if EVENTUALLY the three of them would get along well enough to share the room that they are in.  I would rather not have Marshmallow living in my kitchen forever and I am not a fan of keeping my rabbits caged.  
I have read that I should introduce my rabbits for a little at a time, but I am very concerned that letting them loose together even supervised they could hurt each other within seconds.  How would you suggest that I go about trying to bond them?  Should I introduce Marshmallow to Pumpkin and Bunny one at a time?  Marsh has only been spayed a few weeks ago, do I need to give her more time to recover/hormones to settle down?  I don't expect bonding them to be easy, but do you think there is a chance that I will even be able to bond Marshmallow to a bonded pair?  When I am at work, I would like to know that Marshmallow is not alone and has friends!  I would appreciate any suggestions!

Answer
hi,

it is too soon to try to bond.  You need to wait a few more weeks to get her hormones down to their new lower levels.

Further you need a neutral space where none of them claim it as part of their territories.  Like a bathtub or bathroom.  I just really hesitate to recommend you do this.  There could be injuries and vet visits in your future.

Generally what you are attempting is the hardest thing to do, a triple bond.  Often what happens is that you wind up breaking up the bonded pair and nobody gets along.  So it is not really recommended to tamper with a bonded pair this way.

The problem you will have is probably between the girls.  Sounds like Pumpkin, who has her space, will not share the space with the new gal.  Females want real estate.  Pumpkin sounds like she won't give any up.

I would spend some time on the House Rabbit Society web site reading their articles on 'bonding' - search their site with that term.  I would also look up any local rabbit group chapters around you and talk with people there about doing this.  If some think it's a good idea they may have a volunteer or two that would come by and help you out if you believe you still want to do this.

Otherwise I'd open up your kitchen (part of it) to your new gal, put some sacrificial cotton rugs down, use a pet gate to cordon off an area so she can get some exercise.  You may find she gets all the attention she needs from you, spending quality time with her, and if you still think she needs a buddy, it is easier to get another rabbit and have two separate bonded pairs rather than trying for a bonded trio.

Lee