Bonding male/male

[yorkshirelamb]

I have a neutered male rabbit that I planned to start 'dating' sometime in the next few months and pick out a female of his choice, since I have heard that is the easiest pairing. However, I read a craigslist ad today that broke my heart--someone with an unaltered male with incontinence problems. They have obviously given their rabbit excellent care and I am concerned that someone random will take him and not be able to care for his medical needs. I know male/male pairings are less common but not impossible. The only thing is that I would have to make a committment now, go in half and half with the current owners on a neuter and only then start to bond the rabbits. Is it something that if I just keep up with they will eventually learn to tolerate each other? I have no problem with that but I don't want to give these people hope and have them help me with a financial committment if this is too shaky of a proposition.

[piggyluv]

This is a rabbit introduction page from HRS:http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/introductions.html I hope it helps!

[yorkshirelamb]

Thanks piggyluv--I know the general procedure and tips for bonding rabbits, I guess I was hoping more for personal experiences. Should have said that!

[crazywiggy]

The rabbit rehome site has a personal story about introducing two males, it might help.
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/bondingdiary.asp

[yorkshirelamb]

Thanks crazywiggy, that was a great link! Both my rabbit and the new one (I have decided to take him on) are very gentle, sweet boys--of course their personalities could be different with each other but that story gives me hope for an easy time.

[RoAnneM]

Just wondering how the bonding process is going? Also, I read some of the older posts and saw that this past summer you rescued a neglected rabbit and a few days later the owners finally put up a missing sign. Is your rabbit this same rabbit you rescued? Just curious how that story ended up! I hope you were able to keep him! Sounds like he's much better off with you!! )

[yorkshirelamb]

Originally Posted by RoAnneM

Just wondering how the bonding process is going? Also, I read some of the older posts and saw that this past summer you rescued a neglected rabbit and a few days later the owners finally put up a missing sign. Is your rabbit this same rabbit you rescued? Just curious how that story ended up! I hope you were able to keep him! Sounds like he's much better off with you!! )

Management took down the sign since technically pets aren't allowed, though a lot of people have them. The people didn't do anything else after that and I saw they have a guinea pig that they put out on the grass sometimes in a run so I'm guessing they didn't miss their rabbit too much! He is such a delight and a huge people bunny--he comes out to greet everyone and I can't imagine him living his life outside and alone.

I can't really tell how bonding is going since we don't have many neutral spaces in a small apartment. So far I've just been putting them in the bathtub together (dry), and my first rabbit Mr Bunny has been mounting the new guy, Mr Thumper. I tried them once in the kitchen and they kept circling which I was afraid would lead to a fight so I separated them. They do want to get at each other--usually I put one in his cage for the night and let the other sniff him through the bars for a few minutes before putting him away too. I'm just hoping with enough stress situations they'll be okay.