Rabbits are a social species and have evolved to live in groups.
No matter how hard we try, we cannot give our companion rabbits as much company as another rabbit can.
Even if we make sure we spend 3 or 4 hours a day with our rabbits, that means that they spend 20 hours or more alone.
However, if they have at least one bonded partner rabbit they will never be lonely.
Rabbits form a bond for life
Once the rabbits have bonded they should not be separated as this will cause significant distress and can severely damage the bond.
Because rabbits form such powerful bonds with one another, the loss of a bonded companion can cause depression and illness.
Despite being sociable, rabbits are also territorial, Rabbits who are unknown to one another will need separate housing until they are successfully bonded, Encouraging rabbits to bond may take patience, time, and commitment from you.
For a pair, the best match is often considered to be a male and female who are both desexed.
Rabbits are very sociable and will crave the companionship of their own kind.
Introducing New Rabbits
Bonding steps
-
First, get the rabbits acquainted with sight and smell. Keep the rabbits in separate homes and allow them access to a large run with mesh separating them or put them in nearby enclosures, where they can sniff each other through the wire. This will enable them to get used to each other’s scent and company without being able to fight. To help this you can also swap their litter trays over or rub a cloth over one rabbit and then the other. Introductions between new rabbits should be carried out slowly and are expected to take a couple of weeks up to six months.
-
When both rabbits become relaxed in each other’s company and are used to the sight and smell of each other, start putting them together for very short periods of time in strictly neutral territory where neither rabbit has been before. This must only take place under constant close supervision.
-
Please make sure you put lots of distractions in with them in their neutral territories, such as several piles of hay, herbs, cardboard boxes, and a tunnel, as this will help them immensely. Rabbits are very territorial and any competition for resources might cause tension, so ensure that you have at least two feeding and watering stations and hiding places. At the slightest sign of tension, separate the rabbits (using a towel to intervene to prevent sustaining injury).
-
Each day, gradually increase the time the rabbits spend together. Always supervise them and separate the rabbits at the first sign of a fight. Repeat this until the rabbits are relaxed in each other’s company. After a few days or weeks of successful interactions, when the rabbits are happy to groom and be with each other, they can live together. If fighting occurs, separate the rabbits and begin the introduction process again.
-
Rabbits who are not fully bonded must be kept separate when you are not with them.
