The process of introducing two rabbits is known as bonding, which can be stressful for both the people and rabbits involved. It is, however, incredibly important if you want to achieve a harmonious living environment for them. Below are a few helpful tips on how to make this introduction as smooth as possible.
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.
Rabbit bonding can be a difficult process and one you should only attempt if you feel confident – your bun should always have a mate, so if you're not sure you can manage, then seek advice from your local rabbit rescues who are likely able to (and keen to!) help your bunny find their buddy.
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.
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.
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.
The better the rabbits get on at their first meeting, the quicker they will bond. In addition, putting the rabbits together for very brief periods (e.g. 10 minutes) every day means that they will get used to each other far more quickly than if you do it less often.
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.
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.
It can take a few weeks to a few months to combine two rabbits into a "bonded" pair.
Your rabbits will still want to be with you and show affection, but will not be so clingy when it has another bunny friend. Bonded rabbits also bring their own advantages to rabbit owners.
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. Living together will also make sure that they have companionship.
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.
These are all signs that the bond will be successful. Thumping when a rabbit uses a back leg to stomp. 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'.
There is no set time for how long a bond will take, some take hours some take days but as a minimum time scale we would suggest that you put aside two days at least where you can be with the rabbits 24/7 to err on the side of caution. Be prepared to sleep next to them and be on hand to ensure everything is going well.
If your rabbit leaves behind a bonded mate, he, too, will grieve. Now more than ever, your surviving rabbit will need you to help him through his grief. Rabbit grief is very real. Just like people, rabbits grieve in their own way.
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.
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.
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.
They will eventually stop fighting and either ignore each other or become friends. This process depends on your active and vigilant participation. If fighting is serious, the bunnies should be separated when unsupervised. Once they seem to be getting along, they can be re-introduced into familiar territory.
Squeal. If your rabbit nips or bites you (sometimes rabbits nip when they want something or want your attention - it's not always aggressive): give a high-pitched squeal as soon as she nips or bites you. This will let her know that she hurt you and she should not nip or bite you.
Once the rabbits are spending one to two hours together daily without any problems, they can be introduced into their intended living space, initially under supervision. Rabbits can be left alone together safely once they're showing positive behaviours towards one another.
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.
Bonding two rabbits can be a daunting process. It's not uncommon for rabbits to fight or act aggressively toward each other before finally becoming friends. However, in some cases, behavior that appears aggressive is actually helping your rabbits figure out their relationship with each other.
A bonded rabbit pair will prefer each other over humans, even if their owners are responsible for food and care. This doesn't mean you won't get affection from either rabbit, of course. Rabbits that live in groups will still be very affectionate with their owners.