Send us Fan Mail

Rabbit Bonding: Beyond Coexistence — Show Notes

Ever looked at your rabbits and thought "yep, they're bonded, they haven't fought in ages"? This episode dives into one of the most misunderstood aspects of rabbit bonding: the difference between coexisting and truly being bonded.

In this episode:

• Why "they haven't fought" doesn't mean rabbits are actually bonded
• A cautionary tale from a client whose rabbits' bond broke shortly after coming home from a rescue
• How professional bonding services vary — and why speed isn't everything
• Why large spaces can make rabbits look bonded when they're really just avoiding each other
• How adjusting space (bigger or smaller) can reveal what's really going on between rabbits
• A case where changing space led to more communication — and a better outcome
• Why occasional friction and boundary-testing can be a good sign, not a bad one
• The risks of taking rabbits home from a bonder without a truly established relationship
• Why there's no fixed "number of days" formula for bonding
• The key question to ask instead of "are they fighting?": what relationship are they actually building?
• Why even rabbits that seem to "instantly click" should still go through the full bonding process

Key takeaway: A quiet, peaceful pair isn't automatically a bonded pair. Look at the relationship being built — communication, boundaries, and hierarchy — not just the absence of fighting.

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

The human side of rabbit bonding — stress, exhaustion, reassurance, motivation and why the person doing the bonding needs support too.

This week's episode is about a side of rabbit bonding that rarely gets discussed: the human doing the bonding. While most advice online focuses on rabbit behavior and technique, this episode explores why supporting the person is just as critical to a successful bond.

Topics covered:

• Why bonding can be exhausting and all-consuming if you let it take over your life
• Looking after clients holistically — eating, sleeping, taking breaks, and staying connected to life outside the bonding pen
• A real example: a client bonding six rabbits who I told to take a break rather than start a new bond
• Why taking time off isn't giving up — but also why consistency matters mid-bond
• The emotional rollercoaster of bonding: self-doubt, anxiety, and needing reassurance rather than more instructions
• How being too close to the situation can make it hard to see progress, and why an outside perspective helps
• Helping owners decide what's right for their rabbits instead of following a rigid checklist
• What real support looks like: encouragement, perspective, decision-making help, and even guidance if a bond isn't working out
• The reminder that your relationships, work, and wellbeing matter just as much as the bonding process

Key takeaway: Sometimes the best thing you can do for your rabbits is look after their human.

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

Rabbit bonding isn't a checklist — it's hundreds of tiny decisions. And getting even one wrong can cost you weeks. Today I'm breaking down why 'just follow the steps' advice fails rabbit parents, and what actually separates a smooth bond from a stressful one

Bonding rabbits isn't about following a rigid checklist — it's a series of daily judgment calls. In this episode, the Bunny Bonding Coach breaks down why so many rabbit parents get stuck second-guessing themselves, why identical behaviors (chasing, mounting, nipping) can mean completely different things depending on context, and why it is really about knowing when to act, not just what to do.

Resources:
Learn more about personalized bonding support at TheBunnyBondingCoach.com

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

The Honest Truth About Which Bonding Support I'd Recommend for You

One of the most common questions I get asked is: "How do I know which support option is right for me?" And it's a great question — because every rabbit, every rabbit parent, and every bond is completely different.

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes and explain exactly how I decide what level of support to recommend. Spoiler: it's never a one-size-fits-all answer.

What I cover:

• Why I look at the rabbits, the owner, and the bonding goals together
• The difference between a confident, knowledge-seeking rabbit parent and one who needs more hands-on support — and why that changes everything
• Real examples of two rabbit parents with similar rabbits who needed completely different support
• Why I'd rather recommend the cheaper option if it's the right one for you
• How to find out which support is the best fit for your situation

Links mentioned:

• 🐰 Bonding options: Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach
• 📞 Book a free 15-minute Bunny Bonding Clarity Call: Free 15 Minute Call

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever said — or heard someone say — "My rabbit hates other rabbits" or "My rabbits are unbondable"? In this episode of the Bunny Coach Podcast, we're busting two of the most common (and most discouraging) bonding myths out there — and explaining what's really going on when your rabbits fight.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why "my rabbit hates other rabbits" is almost never actually true
• Why "my rabbits are unbondable" is a conclusion most people reach far too soon
• The real reasons rabbits fight when they first meet
• Why social media and bunfluencers are giving rabbit owners an unrealistic picture of bonding
• The setup mistakes that make fighting almost inevitable — and how to avoid them
• Why some of the closest, most loving bonds start off the most volatile

If you've given up on bonding after a bad first session — or you're scared to even start — this episode is for you. Most rabbits are bondable with the right partner, method, and process, even if it doesn't look that way at first.

Links & Resources:

• 📋 Fill in the Bonding Quiz for a FREE personalised email response: [link]
• 📞 Book a free 15-minute Bonding Assessment call: [link] (limited spots each week — grab one quick!)

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

Are you accidentally stopping your rabbits from bonding — by being too involved? If you're sitting in the pen session after session, stepping in at every squabble, you might be the reason your bond isn't working. You've become the third rabbit.

Ever feel like you're doing everything right with your bonding sessions — and still not getting results? In this episode, Fiona breaks down one of the most common (and most well-meaning) mistakes rabbit owners make: becoming the third rabbit in their own bond.

In this episode:

• What it means to be the "third rabbit" — and why it's holding your bond back
• Why sitting in the pen can do more harm than good
• The real reason dominant behaviors like mounting, nipping, and fur pulling need to happen
• What goes wrong when you step in too soon
• How to know when to intervene and how — without doing too much or too little
• Why watching real bonding sessions on video is the fastest way to build your instincts

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

Does your rabbit chew furniture, ignore hay, or have litter box issues? 🐰 You’re not alone!

In this episode, Fiona is interviewed by Anne Angelo Webb of The Animal Intuitive®, solving some of your common bunny challenges!

Together, we’ll explore:

✨ Why rabbits chew on furniture and wires

✨ What causes aggression and how to calm it

✨ Tips for selective or picky eaters

✨ How to fix litter training problems

✨ The keys to happier, healthier bunnies

If you’re ready to understand your rabbit on a deeper level, this conversation is packed with practical, compassionate guidance to help strengthen your bond. 💕

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.

Send us Fan Mail

Same Size, Same Breed, Opposite Sex? What REALLY Matters When Pairing Your Rabbits

If you've ever searched for a friend for your bunny, you've probably come across a long list of "rules" — they should be the same size, the same breed, opposite sex, a similar age... (or you may be panicking that the pair you have already don't fit the 'criteria') But how much of this actually matters?

In this episode, Fiona Murphy, the Bunny Coach breaks down the most common rabbit bonding myths and replaces them with what her experience supporting over 500 bonds worldwide has actually taught her.

In this episode we cover:

• Size — does it really matter if one rabbit is bigger than the other?
• Breed — will same-breed rabbits get along better?
• Age — should you match your rabbits' ages, or get a baby?
• Gender — the big one. Are male-female pairs really easier? Can two males bond?
• Siblings and baby bonds — why rabbits that grew up together aren't necessarily bonded for life
• Related rabbits — do shared genetics mean they're more likely to get along?

And she shares what actually DOES make a difference:

Whether you're looking for a companion for your bunny or you already have two rabbits you're desperate to make work — this episode will give you the reassurance and clarity you need.

🐰 Free Get Ready for Bonding Class — thebunnybondingcoach.com/get-ready
🐰 Bonding Quiz — tell the Bunny Coach what's happening and get a personalised email back — Tell Me What Is Happening
🐰 Free Bonding Assessment — limited spots available each week —15 Min Call For Bunny Bonding Clinic

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

Check out my website for free bonding resources, links to book a call and the bonding help options I offer - Fiona Murphy The Bunny Coach

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

Subscribe to the Bunny Coach Podcast

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes and I would love if you could leave a review — it helps other bunny parents find us!

The Bunny Coach Podcast helps you can create a calmer, happier life for your bunnies and a more peaceful home for you.