Rabbits are much happier when they have a friend to share their life with. They are emotionally and physically healthier because their friend offers companionship and can groom places that are difficult to reach.
Step #1: Research & Preparation
Bonding can be a stressful yet very rewarding endeavor. It is rare that two bunnies will meet and get along instantaneously. It is your responsibility, as the owner, to safely introduce bunnies to avoid potential injuries while the animals develop a hierarchy.
You must be able to provide separate housing accommodations until the bond has been established. This also means you'll need another litter box, water bowl, food dish, etc. to set up the second space. It can take several weeks or even months for a bond to build between rabbits. Once bonded, rabbits should be housed together in a spacious area that can accommodate them both comfortably.
Step #2: Find a Match
Boy and girl: one of the easiest, often fall in love at first sight, but not always.
Girl and girl: sometimes easy, often fighting.
Boy and boy: sometimes easy, sometimes difficult, usually fighting at first, but not impossible.
Two babies: extremely easy.
Three or more rabbits: Difficulty varies, depending on sexes, personalities, and whether or not two of the rabbits are already bonded.
Baby and adult: Sometimes challenging, but goes well if the adult is tolerant.
Size does not make a difference in whether the rabbits will bond or not, but age is a consideration. An older rabbit (4+) could be happier with a companion closer in age rather than a young one that is full of energy and vice versa.
Step #3: Neuter / Spay
Before attempting an introduction, the rabbits must be spayed or neutered. A full two weeks after the surgery should be allowed to ensure proper healing and time for hormones to balance before the introduction.
Beware: bucks can stay fertile for up to four weeks after the procedure and may still be hormonal during this period.
Step #4: Side-by-Side Enclosures
When the animals first see and smell each other, they may be antsy. This is normal but should dissipate within a week or so. Once they are comfortable in the presence of another bunny in side-by-side enclosures (the playpens a few inches apart - close enough to smell but not touch unsupervised), try swapping litter boxes, blankets, and toys to transfer scents of all sorts.
We reccomend a bonding preperation technique for starters called 'coerced closeness', as advertised by the House Rabbit Society. Hold them together on your lap, both sitting and facing outwards. Firm pets from head to toe help keep the bunnies calm and adjust to tocuhing/smelling each other.
Step #5: Introduction
This is an extremely important step. Prepare a neutral area where neither rabbit has been housed before. Someone should sit with the bunnies in the area to supervise the introductions.
Possible neutral spaces might include:
A pen in an area of the house your rabbit is not usually in
A bathroom the resident bunny has not been in
A bathtub (our personal favorite!!)
A friend's home
The basement/garage
If love at first sight occurs, you can try them in the space they’re going to live in. If it’s still good, then they’re fine, and you have nothing else to do.
If tentative friendship occurs, just watch them when they’re together, keep them separate when you’re not around, and if no fighting occurs, they’ll eventually become friends.
If the neutered male mounts the female, and the female does not mind, then this is usually a sign that the relationship will go well. If one is chasing, and one is running, just make sure the one running doesn’t fight back or get hurt.
If none of these things occur, then just watch and wait. If one gets hurt, then separate them and go slower. If one fights back, then you must prepare for a lengthier introduction period.
You may want to wear thick gloves and a long-sleeved shirt for initial bonding sessions in case a fight happens. A squirt of water on the nose can often prevent aggressive behavior. An initial fight can hinder future bonding success.
If the bunnies show any signs of aggression, try:
A laundry basket on top of a dryer that is on
The backseat of a moving car (this has proven many successes!!)
The noise and movement will be slightly frightening to the bunnies and they may snuggle up and draw comfort from each other, creating positive memories of one another. They'll associate the other rabbit with a sense of security, as opposed to carrying bad memories around with them.
Work with the rabbits daily for at least 15 minutes. The more often you work with them, the quicker the process will progress (usually). If the rabbits have a bad experience, or if one of the rabbits is elderly / has health considerations, you may need to take it slower or take some time off.
Step #6: Body Language
It’s completely natural that one rabbit will be dominant over the other, but it shouldn’t be aggressive. There may be mounting, but it should be accepted by the less dominant rabbit. Let the humping continue as long as both rabbits tolerate. This is normal behavior, and a step needed naturally before bonding success.
The subordinate rabbit shows its acceptance of the other’s dominance by licking it. The rabbit that puts its head down to be licked is claiming the top spot, and by licking it, the partner is accepting that the other rabbit is boss!
Positive behavior:
Sitting or lying side by side
Grooming each other
Seeking each other for positive interactions
Behaving normally around one another - even ignoring each other
Negative behavior:
Chasing
Circling
Boxing
Fighting
Nipping/Biting
Squeaking/Growling
Step #7: Unsupervised Bonding
Once your rabbits have paired, it’s super important to keep the bond alive. If one of your rabbits needs a vet, then take them both in the same carrier. 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 behaviors towards one another.
Once your rabbit has a friend, he/she will not forget you! Like humans, rabbits can have many individual relationships. You may even find that your rabbit is more friendly and outgoing once bonded with a companion.
Overall Dos
House the rabbits separately but close together. They will get used to seeing each other and to each other's scent if they are close to one another. Make sure the cages are not close enough for them to be able to bite through.
Be prepared for this to take several months.
Expect that there will be setbacks.
Make the effort to think like a bunny. Is one rabbit jealous you are interacting with the new bunny/resident bunny? Is he mad you just gave his favorite toy to the other? Is the rabbit stressed and ready to stop for the day?
Interact with the bunnies, but give equal attention and provide a positive and relaxed atmosphere.
Overall Don'ts
Start the process before altering. You know why: mating instincts!
Play favorites.
Expect love at first sight.
Hold a bonding session in the resident bunny's territory. Be prepared for the potential that the resident bunny may become defensive or aggressive at first.
Try to bond if you have had a bad day. Your emotions will transfer to the bunnies and can undo weeks of work.
Leave the rabbits unsupervised, even for a minute, until they're fully bonded.
Assume that because yesterday went well, today will too.
End on a bad note, if possible.
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