Table Bonding

My contact from The Rabbit Sanctuary (TRS) explained to me about table bonding. Why is it not a thing that is normally done out in the wilds of bunny bonding? Have a look at these videos:

Table bonding is not mentioned in any bonding documentation that appears on the first page in a Google search, when you look up rabbit bonding.

My question is WHY?

People are always looking for a stress free way to bond bunnies, so why isn’t this promoted on pages people go to, like:

What’s the deal? Websites only ever talk about sticking them in a box, or a gigantic pen like I did with Maple, Lunar and Buttons, why is table bonding not a thing?

A post I read on social media ages ago was about someone asking what table bonding was. The answer was this:

“Table bonding is a technique that rabbit rescues use to bond rabbits before re-homing them.”

How is that information helpful at all? It doesn’t explain what it is, it explains where it is used… and if it works for re-homing bunnies, then why is it ignored everywhere else?

Table Bonding Videos

If you are like me and don’t jump into watching the videos, so here’s an explanation:

Table bonding is a desensitisation process that gives bunnies time, in a safe environment, to become used to each other. It is where you gently press two bunnies together on a table (if done on a floor, they may run away), to get them used to being with each other. Any aggressive or annoying behaviours (nipping, humping, nudging etc) are stopped by the person in control. The person in control continually pats the bunnies, pressing them gently together with their arms. Their hands are free to turn the bunny’s heads away if they show any unwanted behaviours. The person must stay in control and attentive to the bunny’s behaviours during the bonding time.

This process takes 15 minutes, 3-5 times a day, until the bunnies start grooming each other and there are no unwanted behaviours.

If the bunnies are getting on with each other, you can put a little bit of smooshed banana on their foreheads to encourage grooming.

You should change the placement of the table, so the bunnies don’t get used to being in one place. Also, you can put them in a big basket together so you can pat them when sitting on the couch.

This also gives you the opportunity to bond with the bunnies, and them to you.

UPDATE: June 2023

I quickly learned that it doesn’t work. It might for placid rabbits, but for a rabbit with bitey-teeth like Buttons, it’s plainly torture for both bunnies. Table bonding also doesn’t create a strong bond, because bunnies are forced to like each other. These bonds can break. It’s best to let the rabbits sort it out in a large open area. The bigger the area the better.