As a general rule, rabbits are bonded once they can spend 48 hours together without any chasing or aggressive behaviors. You also want to see positive signs such as grooming, sharing food, and sleeping next to each other to confirm that your rabbits feel safe around each other.
The whole bonding process can take as little as one day or up to several months – it all depends on your rabbits. Usually, it's a few weeks before your bunnies will be living happily together but it is well worth the wait.
Bonded rabbits spend the majority of their days and nights together. They tend to visit the litter tray at the same time, eat together and groom together. A lot of time is spent simply snuggled up together sleeping. They can become competitive with each other over food and attention from us.
Since they are very social animals, rabbits who are bonded have a deep and lasting relationship. Many of these pairs do almost everything together. Whether it is eating, sleeping, grooming or simply exploring their surroundings, bonded pairs make everything a group activity.
Rabbits are happiest living in pairs. While they love and enjoy human companionship, there are certain social needs that even the most loving pet parents can never completely fulfil. Rabbits living in bonded pairs are generally healthier than singly kept rabbits.
Bonded rabbits will use the same litter box without fighting – make sure you have one big enough for both with space to move around. The litter box is like the sandbox in elementary school.
Once the rabbits have bonded, DO NOT separate them. If one rabbit needs to go to the vet, both need to go. If they're separated and one rabbit comes back with a different smell or change in health, they may reject each other and begin fighting.
Nipping will most likely happen at some point during the bonding process. It is normal and isn't always a negative action. Sometimes a rabbit will nip the other because they want him/her to groom them.
Bonded rabbits can also break their bond. This can happen if they've been separated, for example if one bunny needs to spend a few days at the vet. It can also happen if you move house, move or change your rabbit enclosure, or upset the hierarchy by introducing new rabbits.
If your rabbits are mounting each other a lot, instigating fights, stop them, place them side by side. Pet them together and talk to them quietly. Do not let much chasing ensue. If they are persistently aggressive, separate them to prevent injuries.
Once the rabbits have bonded, DO NOT separate them. If one rabbit needs to go to the vet, both need to go. If they're separated and one rabbit comes back with a different smell or change in health, they may reject each other and begin fighting.
Things to know before you start the bonding process
Male rabbits can be desexed at 10-12 weeks old and females at 16-20 weeks old. Male rabbits can take up to six weeks to become sterile after they are castrated, so it is best not to introduce to any non desexed females prior to this time.
Typically a rabbit will grieve for the loss of a partner for several weeks. They will be quieter than usual and may seem moderately depressed. But they won't stop eating altogether if you have followed the directions given above.
For bonded rabbits, the loss of a partner can be very traumatic. Bonded rabbits live very closely together, spending hours sleeping, grooming, eating, playing and "talking" so the sudden absence of their partner is difficult for them to cope with.
Although trying to bond rabbits will inevitably be stressful to them, there are other factors that cause stress too and every rabbit owner should be aware of them.
Chasing is one of those behaviors. One rabbit will chase the other to claim dominance during the bonding process. This is expected behavior that should not be discouraged. If a chase goes on for longer than 30 seconds, interrupt the rabbits, so it does not turn into a fight.
A thump is a to let everyone know they are frustrated or annoyed about something or as a warning sign if they feel threatened. The rabbits may also show each other the 'bunny butt'.
Make sure to spend some time with the rabbits in one or more neutral space every day. When you're not actively working with them, they should be apart if they fight when together. If they do not fight, then they can be left alone if you're not working with them, but not when you're not home at all.
An easy way to tell which of your rabbits it dominant over the other is to watch them grooming one another. Typically, the dominant animal will groom far less frequently, and for far shorter periods of time than the other. You will often see the dominant rabbit thrusting their head towards the other one.
It's important that rabbits live with at least one other rabbit at all times, so that they feel safe. As they're social animals, they also enjoy eating together, grooming each other and lying down together to keep each other warm.
Don't separate them once they're paired up
If one of your rabbits needs a vet then take them both in the same carrier. They will stick together for comfort.
Introduce rabbits on neutral territory. Never split up bonded pairs unless serious fighting occurs. Introduction a third rabbit into a bonded pair rarely works. Some nipping, chasing or mounting is normal, even in bonded pairs.
Sometimes happily bonded rabbits appear to fall out and the bond breaks down. There is almost always a reason for this: Maturation and the onset of spring, males fighting over territory and females fighting over nesting material. Underlying illness/pain.
They will often be far happier and content with a mate. Rabbits are not that unlike humans, they also get bored, even depressed, and when they do, they often act it out with destructive behaviour. Take your time to get a new mate, or even better, buy two rabbits from the start.
You can try twitching your nose at your rabbit, to tell them that you are interested and curious about them. Or you can try giving your head a little shake or jumping up and down to mimic a binky and tell your rabbit that you're happy. You can lay down near your rabbit to let them know that you trust them.